Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Tracking and Topiary

My favorite dog sport is tracking. I really enjoy Rally and Canine Freestyle but when I track I get to use my nose to find interesting things. It is great fun to go out on a beautiful morning to the fields with Barbara and meet our friends and do some tracking.



We are really beginning to work as a team. She is reading my body language and trusting me to stay on track.



Of course besides the lovely smells I get delicious treats. This morning it was sausage biscuit and cheese!



My BFF Ayla tracked too. She is very good at it and I know her person was really pleased with her work. Here she is getting into her special tracking harness.



Considering that we both have a big silly streak, our people are impressed with how hard we work when we track.

Ambrose got to do a little puppy track. Of course Barbara and Sandi carried on about him like he had found buried treasure instead of a few gloves and things that were only 10 feet apart!! It really is sickening to listen to them praise him constantly.

He is getting big now. I think his ears are getting very long. Or maybe I have stretched them from chewing on them so much!




Barbara took Ambrose on a walk at Fearrington and saw these cool topiary dogs.

Ambrose had to take a good sniff to figure out that this terrier was made of moss and not fur.



This big one looks a lot like our Airedale friends.



Look at this green version of Stanislaw and Big Pupi.



And who does this look like?



18 comments:

Royal said...

I really like the colors and new look on your blog! You've been just as busy as I have been. That tracking sounds like fun. You're being such a good role model for Ambrose (except for the brownies, which I'm sure were so delicious). We'll have to compare counter surfing strategies. Let's play soon!

Royal

Anonymous said...

Hi Niamh! Wow, those topiary dogs are amazing! Downtown Hollywood has a topiary lady holding shopping bags, but I'd rather see topiary pooches any day. Tracking sounds like fun! And I agree with you - why do little brothers get so much praise for doing things that are so easy? Hmph!

See ya!
Joey

Anonymous said...

Hey Niamh!! You seem to be getting so good at tracking!! My mummy must look into it for Sophie, she always has her nose to the ground on walks, do you think she would be good at tracking then?
We likes the tree doggies!! That last one looks like you!! But then again it could be me or Dennis cos we Point, do you Point Niamh?? We love to get into our Point Pose, but mummy never has the camera!!!
Have a great easter weekend, Slobbers, Scotty xx

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

You're a very talented girl, Niamh! I wish I could have lessons too...

All that topiary is amazing!

Your Friend,
Tommy

PS: That pointing photo could also perhaps maybe be me???????

Ayla said...

Hi Niamh,

We had a good time tracking yesterday! And what do you mean that we both have a silly streak? We girls just want to have fun!

Your BFF,
Ayla

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

OH tracking sounds like so much fun. We would try it for sausage and biscuits..
Those are some cool looking pups. Did you leave any pee-mail?

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Lorenza said...

Hi, Niamh!
I like your new look!
Glad you had a great time tracking!
Those topiary dogs are pawesome!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Dexter said...

You left out the photo of the moss mastiff!

Tracking is not easy, I should know, Momma is always scattering treats in the back yard and telling me to "find it" to exercise my most large and otherwise occupied brain.

Slobbers,
Mango

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

Cool tree doggies and well done on your pointing!
Thanks for directing Stanislaw and Pupi my way. mum has beed having a good read up on their tums.
~lickies, Ludo

Clive said...

Hi Niamh

Great tracking! We had a dog in training recently at our Guide Dog centre but she kept her nose to the ground too much to be a Guide Dog - however she is now working with great success in the UK as a Cancer detection dog.

We loved those topiary dogs. Wonderful.

lots of woofs
Clive

Molly the Airedale said...

Tracking sounds like so much fun and the treats make it sound even more appealing, Niamh!
What cool topiary dogs!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Samantha ~ Holly and Zac ~ said...

You are very clever Niamh.

We love those topiary dogs, they are so cool.

Ambrose is getting big now, he still looks a real cutie though.

Happy Easter you two.

Holly & Zac...XX

Agatha and Archie said...

Well you know that we think tracking is sooooo neat. The other day we were going CRAZY at one point in our walk smelling the ground and PL2 found out later that there were TURKEYS there earlier!!!!! Those grass puppies are FABULOUS!!!! Love and kisses A+A

Chef said...

That last topiary dog is definitely you, Niamh. Tracking sounds like great fun. I wish you could teach me how to track for sticks!

xox
Chef

Tee said...

Wow those topiary dogs are really a work of art. Pity we don't get to see many of those in my part of the world. The ppl here prefer cats!

Licks and Wags

Tuffy and the Dog Woods Pack

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Happy Easter to all of you..

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Juno said...

Ambrose, you found green Niamh!! :) :)

Happy Easter, guys!

Momo & Pinot

Comet said...

Those mossy dogs are really cool looking. Did you leave pee mail on them? We're glad you explained all those letters after Misty's name. We weren't quite sure how to pronounce it otherwise :-P