The Alberta Canaan Dog Crew

The Canaan Dog is an extremely intelligent breed who needs to be mentally challenged. "Tracking" is one sport where they can put their natural instincts to work. "Whenever I say "let's go tracking" Ash is ready and able with "nose to the ground." No wonder this primitive breed was used for Land Mine Detection and Red Cross Messenger Work in their native land Israel - it's in their blood! I suppose they could be called the "bloodhounds of Israel":-) Ash continues to enjoy her tracking classes!

Miss "Ash" deep in thought before driving out to class. She likes to mentally prepare for her day of Tracking. She takes her work seriously.

On Saturday, March 24 our tracking class was held at Crossroads Church in Red Deer .Our instructor, Donna Brinkworth likes to expose us to different locations so the dogs can learn to track in a variety of areas. In February, we tracked at Red Deer College – you can view that session on the blog at: http://albertacanaandogcrew.blogspot.ca/2012/02/tracking-along-with-ash-february.html

Saturday's lesson focussed on strengthening the endurance on longer tracks and following the scent of a stranger in a field setting. And, yes we are still tracking in snowy conditions out here! Ash has a lot of experience tracking in the powder.

The first video below is of Ash working hard on her second track of the day. Special thanks to Lynn Walker for taking the footage of my girl! Lynn also handed me her video camera so I could include videos of Lynn's golden "Quila", and Lorrie working her German Shepherd "Zeevah". All of the dogs worked smoothly and thoughtfully as they picked up on the scent of the stranger that laid the track. They also worked hard with nose to ground in every footstep ( I love this technique!) to locate and indicate the lost article at the end. We all learn so much from watching each other work our dogs.

We are all looking forward to the mock trial in April! You can visit details about that here on the Crew's blog at: http://albertacanaandogcrew.blogspot.ca/2012/03/marching-on-preparing-toward-mock.html

As always, we all enjoy working and fostering the natural instincts with our breed, the camaraderie of the group classes, and the fabulous instruction from Donna!

Michelle (yes, that's me) with my Canaan Dog girl "Ash" - near the end of the track she wipes out on an icy patch but gets right back to work

Lynn with her Golden Retriever girl "Quila"

Lorrie with her German Shepherd girl "Zeevah"

And at the end of day, when Ash and I came home, we were greeted to a fanfare of beautiful cloud formations that congregated over the range.