Blog Archives
NACSW Trial
~ Challenging conditions in Wyoming
Last weekend we had a NACSW trial in Cheyenne, and wow, was it windy!! Sunday was a vehicle specialty in the morning and a container specialty in the afternoon, for a total of 8 searches – Shiny was pooped by the end of the day!
One of our vehicles was a giant earth mover – very tricky in the wind, and very fun to search. We have 2 more trials this year, then will be on a hiatus until March as travel gets very difficult over the passes in the winter.
The leaves are changing and we have been out enjoying the cooler weather, often with Shiny’s “cousin”, my sister’s GSP, Quill. (Luey is in Green Bay, living the Cheesehead life with Mom & Dad.) We are expecting our first real snowfall tonight, and so we march toward the holidays!
Take care! Love to you both,
Julia & Shiny (Oct 9, 2019)
PS: Just so you know, Luey & the folks have a condo in Green Bay, but they are still “based” here in Colorado.
PPS: I love pictures of Stackhouse – I think Shiny resembles him so much!
Breeder Comment
Dear Julia, we are continually amazed at all you do with your demanding schedule. Your success at the Canine Nose Work is extraordinary. Thank you for taking the time to report this new achievement. Love to you, as well!
Two Blue
~Colorado Boys
Hello and Good Morning from Colorado!
Here are the two fabulous OwyheeStar blues that I live and work with–meaning we compete from time to time. We got Luey first, and later I decided on the Blue Longhair. If anyone ever wondered– here they are side by side.
Breeder Comment
Thank you, Julia, for thinking of us—and for everything you do with your OwyheeStar Weims. You are one of our licensed Vet Tech’s who has the Weimaraner from us. We know how demanding the job it, yet–you manage to Title, walk, and dote and the fur kids. You rock!
NACSW Nosework
~ Big News from Leadville, CO
This weekend we competed in NACSW nosework in Leadville, CO at 10,151 feet. It was an interior specialty trial – our first one. It consisted of 4 interior searches in the Leadville elementary school. Luey excelled and titled – he searched beautifully!!
Shiny participated as exhibition only, and also did great! Owyheestar was represented in the best possible light!!
Hope all is well! Julia
Breeder Comment
Julia you are the best–to work at getting the titles as well as to send us your updates. We appreciate it as we know our readers do as well. Congratulations to you and Luey.
Loki and Erica
~Summer Snow on Mt. Hood
Thought I’d share some of our fun so far this summer.
A few weeks ago we did some training on Mt. Hood— you have to work a little harder to find snow in the summer!
This is Loki peering into the cave at the subject he just found— he had to dig in to get his toy!
Yesterday (on the 4th of July) we had a chance to participate in our American Hero’s parade. It was by far the largest group of people we’ve been around— Loki just wanted to say “hi” to everyone along the route… not our best loose-leash heel haha.
After Hood, I decided to start training Loki to wear Rex Specs for super bright conditions… the first step is to introduce him to the frames without the lenses… I think he is less than impressed. But he gets lots of treats when he has them on!
Hope you and Cliff are doing well 🙂
-Erica (With Loki –Search and Rescue Training)
Breeder Comment
We are always amazed at your success–you are doing an excellent job with Loki. We loved the share from your work on Mt. Hood as well as the American Heroes Parade. The both of you make us proud.
It seems the Rex Specs probably seem like a punishment (Haha), but they are an excellent idea. Let us know how it comes along. I think it is like everything else you are doing with Loki–keep after it, and you will master it. He will learn to accept the goggles. I am positive. Anyhow you can tell Loki he is not the first OwyheeStar to don these goggles–click here.
Nose Work
~All things Aroma Focused
Well, yesterday, we heard from Asher about his exploits and challenges to earn Nose Work titles. It is pretty much a mystery to us–you have to get into the discipline to understand the nuances as well as the process. All of this has twists and turns that to the outsider seem confusing.
Michelle explained it like this- “Nose work is not an easy topic…people have spreadsheets to sort out their titles and levels.”
I have been wondering about this discipline as I know many of you have too. We know at least six OwyheeStar Weims who are engaged in Nosework at various levels. If I missed someone, please let us know. We would love an update with information and pictures to share.
Shiny–(Zula Blue X Stackhouse) ~NACSW Nosework Trialing Level 3
Asher (Bernie X Blue)–AKC Scent work
Porsche (Mesquite X Stackhouse)
Skye (Sage X Blue) AKC Nosework
Michelle was kind enough to fill in a few blanks. So far, she and Asher have competed in the Nose Work or scenting events hosted by four groups. Yes–there are four different options in which Michelle and Asher took part.–there are a few more she has not yet encountered.
- NACSW — National Association of Canine Scent Work
- USCSW –United States Canine Scent Work
- UKC –United Kennel Club UKC Scent Work Event Calendar
- AKC –American Kennel Club AKC Scent Work News
Each club has their way of doing things–so, keep that in mind. Michelle’s weekend AKC trial event had more than 50 dogs competing at various levels. The NACSW event where Julia and Shiny netted a second place she faced a total of 38 competitors. Both gals and their OwyheeStar wonder Weims did outstanding. We are so proud!
Michelle Explains Asher’s Titles
NW1, DDI, AKC TKN, UKC NC, UKC NV, UKC NE
NACSW NW1 is novice level
USCSS DDI is detection dog intermediate which is one level up from novice.
AKC TKN is novice trick dog
UKC Novice Exterior, Vehicle, and Containers
Each club/group has their own set of rules and what it takes to earn a title. For an example in UKC, we have novice titles in exterior, vehicle, and containers and compete at the next level in those 3. We missed our interior, so we are novice level in the interior for UKC. Most of the venues are similar, but AKC has buried hides instead of vehicles. NACSW is credited as the founder of the sport. I understand it is a bit confusing–even people involved in the Nose Work keep spreadsheets to be able to remember their titles and levels.
Politics and Whatnot
Well, maybe you have heard about it or not. There is the dog politic thing. Some venues are steeped in it more than others–AKC possibly would be the worst. (Sorry, but it is the truth.) If you are running your Blue or your Longhair Blue, not everyone is going to give you credit due. There is a strong bias within the Weimaraner Club against the blue coats. Nonetheless, people love them and want them.
Michelle says–“I always get compliments on Asher…many comment on what a nice looking dog he is. We have ran into the definition of a “standard weim” several times in our very short time in the world of competition. At times, people have made some comments that have caught me off guard. Such as, “They are not our kind.” At times, I have wanted to strike up a conversation, but let’s just say—body language speaks volumes. Regardless, I am a girl just wanting to have fun with her dog. I am not trying to play in your confirmation ring.”
It is the truth that if you want to compete, you have to have a tough hide. Anything can happen. Competitors come with bias as well as swagger. Some are more gracious than others. Scenting sports are fun. There is for sure, not the same level of issues faced with competing for a Show Title.
Asher Speaks
~”Woof!” (Sniff, Sniff, too!)
I have this Paw-Awesome report.
Mom and I have been so busy with the smell game. At times it can be confusing because sometimes my mom calls it Nosework and other times its called Scent Work. Got me what the differences are. I just nose’s its all about the bacon. (HA-did you catch my humor?) I love bacon…shhh do not tell mom that I told you this. But ever so often, I see mom eat my dog treats. LOL! She must like bacon too.
Last time, I updated you on our first title with United States Canine Scent Sports (USCSS). Since then we have gained our second title with USCSS called Detection Dog Intermediate. This trial was at a school campground where we found 8 hides and overcame a very tough search in a bunkhouse. The judge told my mom, “Great job in being patient!” I have no idea why the judge would say that –Weim-Zoomies are a normal every day occurrence. Right?
We recently went for the NW2 with the National Association Canine Scent Work (NACSW). We missed 1 hide because we were about two feet from source. So did not gain our title. We learned a lot about that, “No, I am sorry that is not correct!”
Scent Work or Nose Work whatever it may be called is not just about finding the smell, the alert or the bacon. NERD ALERT: It is about a team that works through the problem analyzing the environment and how the conditions of terrain, climate, vegetation and weather play into how the scent molecules are traveling.
REALITY CHECK: Now try and remember all of that when the birds or the bunnies are queued– seriously NOT FAIR, Right? No worries, we just shake it off and learn and grow.
We have since earned our first title in UKC in three of the elements (Containers, Exterior and Vehicles Searches). This last UKC trial we were in shock when we learned we earned a High-In Trial.
This last weekend we tried our luck at our first AKC Trial. The nice thing about AKC and UKC is your YES’s are accumulative and you must pass each element three times to gain a title in that specific element. We learned another trial opens this coming week, so maybe by the end of July we will gain our first titles in AKC elements.
To be continued…now I lay me down to sleep!
Love,
Asher Von Owyheestar,
NW1, DDI, AKC TKN, UKC NC, UKC NV, UKC NE
Breeder Comment
Everyone at OwyheeStar is very impressed, Asher. Thank you for the report and all the hard work. Tomorrow, I will write a bit more about this topic and list what these titles earn mean. I am positive that several readers would like to know more.
Shiny
~NACSW Nosework Trialing Level 3
I wanted to share Shiny’s recent accomplishments with you and Cliff. He is at Level 3 in NACSW Nose work trialing. A couple weekends ago we had the best trialing ever! He got 3 placements and 2 titles!! He won second overall in trial!!
He is a wonderful worker, best friend and representative of the breed – thank you so much for my Shiny!!
Julia
Breeder Comment
–Drumroll Please!
We are thrilled to hear of Shiny and your success, Julia. That is outstanding! We have never had the opportunity to visit a Nose Work Trial, but a lot of our clients are getting interested in this venue. What great news!
For those wanting to learn more–please click the Facebook Link above or go to the NACSW Website–click here!
Click Here to learn more about NACSW Titles and Awards.
Julia and Shiny have participated in previous competitions–here are three links featuring Shiny and Julia.
Pushkin
~Trying out Nosework
As summer approaches, it has become time to find a new activity to keep Push’s brain engaged. Due to an ongoing problem with a knee injury (mine) we are not able to do agility this summer so we are starting a class in scent work. When we are outside, his nose is always to the ground following the scent of some kritter or another. We have deer, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, quail, and have even spotted a juvenile cougar passing through the property.
Luckily he has left the skunks alone unlike Zula who had to learn the hard way that skunks are not black and white cats. Push did find some black bear scat in the oak grove but it was not fresh. Luckily he is not a Weim that has developed the trait of rolling in animal “exhaust”, again unlike Zula who finds rotting deer poo almost to hard to resist.
I also want to let you know that after following your blog, and reading about Dusty and the duralactin, I ordered some for Trixie. Trixie is my 12 year old pit mix that has arthritis in her shoulder. The duralactin seems to have helped her pain as she does not limp as badly as she did before starting it and she is more active. So, thank you for the information.
Marie
Breeder Comment
We are so happy to hear that you discovered the Duralactin (anti-inflammatory) for Trixie. Also that you are engaged with the Nosework, this discipline seems like a realistic activity for both of you.
What Easter
~Looks Like to Some of Us!
Special Thanks to Patti (Henry’s Mama) for sharing this photo with us!
Breeder Comment
We sincerely hope your Easter Sunday is spectacular. We are sure you will enjoy seeing Easter Bunny Henry as much as we did.
PS: Patti has also promised photos of Henry from his Nosework. She says he got a 3/4–honestly, I am not sure what that means but possibly we will learn more. So, we can look forward to more lovely photos of Henry.
Nosework
~JuneAnn & Porsche
This probably won’t help with the Blog, but it’s the Blog that clued me into the existence of “nose work”.
A BIG thank you to you and whoever shared their experiences. Porsche and I have attended only one class. She seems to have taken to it like a duck to water. It is so great to have this activity that we both can do. Agility and stuff like that are out for me. Porsche sends her love.
Breeder Comment
Indeed, we are happy that some of the successful OwyheeStar folks shared their experience. Off the top of my head–I can think of three Weims who earned ribbons (awards or titles) in Nosework–Shiny in Colorado (and click here), Henry who lives in Canada, and more recently Asher from Western Washington.
JuneAnn–we are happy you found something fun to do together. Please keep us posted. We also know Asher has earned more ribbons, but we don’t have the exact information to share. We would love an update from Asher’s Mama or anyone else that has been dabbling in the Nosework. If possible–we would love an Emailed report including at least one photo.
Owyheestar Weimaraner's News 