"Wilderness Tracking” With Macc’s daughter “Sara” in BC"

Meet the lovely and  Talented Miss "Sara" - "A working girl following her daddy's pawprints-  she also has the "eyes" that are deeper than an ocean" - a phrase that  was coined by so many that knew our "Macc" - meaning this girl has an old soul beyond her years and needs to be understood and worked! Which her owners are doing beautifully!!!

Whether it be “Stockdog” or “Tracking” sensibilities, big daddy Macc appears to have passed along the “working” gene to his progeny. Maccabee X Remmie’s daughter “Sara”, lovingly owned by David, Debbie and Skyla Wagner of British Columbia, is happiest when she can track to her heart’s content.

David sent me this wonderful piece on Sara’s early training (from ground up) in wilderness tracking. Thanks David! The AB crew and I are proud of your dedication and passion with your working girl! We look forward to your piece on Sara's advanced training in tracking and her SAR training.

SARA'S EARLY TRAINING IN TRACKING

"We began tracking with Sara when she was 6 months old. Our very first class was on her 6th month birthday.  Although we were not sure she was mature enough to stay on task we went for it anyway. Our first class was an introduction to "wilderness tracking." The session was five weeks.

As with any beginner, we started with very short tracks, about 10 feet long. We began shuffling our feet and dropping a treat in short intervals. This was to encourage our dogs to put their nose to the ground and follow each footstep. Sara was very focused and eager to work. Each week we would increase the length of the track and started to incorporate "S" (Serpentine") tracks. We progressed to shuffling during the start of the track and to mark a turn, and took short steps in between. By the end of the 5th week the tracks were about 30 feet long and included a 90 degree turn.

We were very happy with Sara's natural ability to track and her need to work. We also enjoyed being out in the forest and learning with her. The biggest difference in the tracking we do here compared to other places is that it's mostly done in the forest. We live in North Vancouver, a suburb of Vancouver, B.C. Our city sits at the base of three mountains, Cypress, Grouse and Seymour. Due to our geographic location we don't have large open fields, but we do have a lot of forest, creeks and valleys." Onward and upward with TRACK STAR " Sara".

Miss Sara on her homestead

Miss "Sara" Pretty, talented and athletic

In Keeping with the "Tracking" Theme lately: 

Two days ago, I put "Ash" back to work to "Track" down the cattle tag of our first loss on the ranch last week. I had forgotten to cut off the tag of Miss Lulu B "number 1" after we had to relocate her to the boneyard. I had tried myself to hunt it down and revisited  the bog where she drowned. I then figured the tag must have fallen off en route some where between the bog and the boneyard.  

After booting around on my quad with no success of finding the tag, I brought out my Track Star "Ash". I asked her to follow me to the boneyard so she could take in the scent of the remains. I gave Ash her tracking command "Go find" and off she went nose to ground scenting the track where Dean and I had dragged the miss-fortunate Lulu.  I followed behind Ash on my quad as she lead me back to the bog which is approximately 500 feet from the boneyard. At this point I thought perhaps one of the predators had dragged off the tag during their dining hours. I decided to inspect the bog again but still "no tag." Meanwhile Ash sniffed around the bog and disappeared behind an Aspen. I ventured over to the tree where Ash was now lying down and sniffing something between her paws. "Jackpot!" A Big Red Tag with the Number 1 imprint. Ash is definitely earning her keep on the ranch between cattle chores and tracking down my lost articles:-) 

Ash poses nonchalantly with the missing tag