Thistle’s new title! (updated)

Last Sunday 3/13, Thistle and Don passed their first tracking test to earn Thistle’s AKC TD (Tracking Dog) title!   The test was held by PAFTA at Coyote Creek Parkway in Morgan Hill.    Don says it was one of Thistle’s best tracks, too.

Here’s the official photo with tracklayer Denise, judges Alicia Keegan and Rita Crawford, me, Don, and Thistle!

Don wrote a few comments about the test:

I was all worried about this test, because things had not been going so well with our test tracks leading up to the test, and Thistle’s article indication seemed to be getting weaker, instead of stronger. I held out hope that Thistle’s test-taking behavior would be different — for the better — than his training behavior, and he didn’t let me down!

The first indication that this would be different came right at the start. Mr. T’ was relatively calm as we approached the start flag, and he even sat when we reached it (in training he would have blasted right by and off we would have gone). I was able to leisurely pick up the article (a bandanna), and let T’ have a good sniff (another first) before getting on our way.

Thistle seemed to be right on the track the entire way, with just a bit of searching at the corners for the new direction. I tried hard to keep our speed down to keep things relaxed — another difference from our training sessions. 😉

When we reached the end, Thistle stopped and showed me the end article (a leather glove). Woo hoo! I went and picked it up, held it proudly in the air, turned around, and — nobody was there! It seems that what I thought was a nice, easy pace was really booking. It took 30 seconds or so for the judges to catch up. No matter, we passed. 🙂

-Don

My favorite photo is the one Don took of himself and Thistle after they passed.  Two happy boys!

Special thanks to Bob and Laurie Rollins, for their encouragement and instruction.  What a short training season it was for this team!

Our Thistle is now Tigana Cairngorm Blessed Thistle TD CGC .