Dolores Palmer

Thank you to Marianne for giving me my first judging appointment; I really enjoyed the day! I have competed twice at Brogborough myself and Marianne and her band of helpers run very organised trials. There were some lovely goodies to eat in the kitchen – thank you all who provided these and lunch was provided by Geoff Dixon and Sue Abbott-Dixon – thank you for the lovely spread which sustained me throughout the afternoon!

Trials cannot run without a band of helpers so thank you to Sarah Sandle who scribed in the morning for my Level 2 searches and to Geoff Dixon who was also a superb scribe for my Level 1 searches in the afternoon as well as being a very efficient runner in the morning, keeping a steady flow of competitors into the search areas. A special thank you to both Geoff and, the other runner, Nikki, who ensured that the reactive (worried) dogs had a safe passage through into and out of the search areas without having to deal with other dogs, (and people).

One of the great things about Scentwork UK is that it is open to all dogs – we also had a three legged and a blind dog competing – what an awesome sport!

Level 2

Level 2 ran in the morning. Searches were split between Sue and myself, starting with table/chairs and exterior. On the exterior the scents were hidden on two objects which were placed to the right and left of the search area so that whichever way the dog went there was opportunity for an early find. There were some lovely searches with many dogs finding both scented article. There were also couple of false alerts, which is disappointing for the handlers. When at a trial it’s always harder to read the difference between when a dog is investigating an object compared to when they have picked up scent.

Janet & Jess and Swan & Fyodor did impressive searches finding the scents in less than 40 seconds. Melanie & Rowan and Helen & Preston who had a different search styles also did some really lovely searches.

Next, I went inside to judge the boxes and luggage. The majority of dogs found one hide, the hide found first varied between the scented box, and the scented luggage. Some dogs then had to work hard to find the second scented object. Nicola Inglis had an interesting set up with Peppa, leaving her dog at the start line whilst walking to the opposite end of the search area before facing her dog and telling her to search. This was obviously a well thought out plan that paid off as Peppa worked well and found both hides. Kim &Max and Helen & Preston also did lovely searches and found both scented objects. It was a pleasure to watch you and your dogs searching; For those who weren’t successful today, keep at it, your dogs are close to qualifying.

Level 1

Level 1 ran in the afternoon. With 27 entries Judging Level 1 was always going to be tough. I started inside judging table and chairs. For some this was their first trial and so nerves played a part and some called alert as soon as their dog showed interest in any chair. For some alert was called as soon as their dog found scent, rather than wait until their dog had found its way to the source of the scent. A couple of dogs gave a strong indication on the chair next to the scented one, thinking that was where the scent was – these dogs just need more experience searching for scent that has been aged and in finding their way to source. Keep training and you’ll soon be qualifying!

There were some really quick searches from Christine & Soul, Taygen-Stevie & Duke, Linda & Sasha, Wendy & Quincy, and Terri & Mesha.

There was some lovely handling during this search. Two teams that stood out to me were Carole and Tolly and Meadow, (6 years old) & Mr. Wilson. Both allowed their dogs to get on with the job without inference and had the confidence to call the alert only when their dog got to the source of the scent. What stood out for me in judging the handling of each team was the owners who moved up to the tables before giving the dog their scent command and then moved parallel with their dogs but with a good space between themselves and their dogs. In this position they could see what their dogs’ noses were doing and were able to let their dogs get on with the job, without needing to restrain them. At times dogs needed to be directed back onto the chairs if they missed one or if they got distracted. Chris, in particular, needed to orient her blind dog back onto the tables when Piglet got disorientated. Although unsuccessful on table/chairs I loved watching Chris sensitively orientate her dog back to the chairs. Keep at it Chris, you two will be an awesome team with more experience.

Having completed the table/chairs it was outside for the Vehicle search. With the wind quite strong at times and non-existent at other times the scent was hidden to make it fair to all, regardless of when they worked. Every dog found the scent and there were some very quick searches. Logan, the 3-legged dog was impressive in his searching. Clare Simmons handled her dog, Bentley, beautifully. The dog that stood out in the vehicle search was Christine’s dog, Soul, who made me smile. He had a lot to say when he arrived at the Vehicle search, most of it being directed back to the car park. When he calmed I went through the info on the search; Soul decided he had more to say; however, within a second of being asked to search his focus was fully on the vehicle. Loved the way he just switched over!

I really enjoyed judging you all! I hope you all enjoyed your day and found it a useful learning experience. I hope to see you all at trials in the future.

September 9th 2018. Sue Abbott-Dixon. Judges Report.

Marianne, thank you for asking me to judge again at Brogborough. This is a great venue, and our team of helpers, scribes and runners feel like family.

LEVEL 2’s

We began the day with the level 2. It was lovely to see some familiar faces, and also some new faces taking that next step up.
Our 1st element was Table and Chairs, and with Nicki by my side ready to scribe and manage the door we began.
It is the 1st time finding 2 scents, and ther were a few nerves today. Peppa was a little worried coming into the room, but with Nikkis calm handling, and guidance did a lovely, super quick search of both sections.

Fyodor was great, and we had some lovely indications on the chair, from Preston, Rowan, and Elsa, with the dogs tracking the scent to source.

Then outside we went for the Vehicle search. There was a bit of wind swirling round today, and that was considered when placing the scents. Heather and Georgie showed us all how it should be done, Georgie picked up the scent a long way off, and Heather trusted to follow her. Faultless performance you two. Fern was awesome to, and if it wasn’t for Carols great handling and ability to read her dog. I think Fern would have gone under the car to get to the other side!. she worked the scent beautifully. Stuart directed Clay wonderfully around each car. making sure nothing was missed in the blustery conditions, as did Kym with Max.

Elsa tracked the 1st scent to source beautifully, Jess and Cody also did great jobs. Its a big step going to 3 vehicles, and a couple of dogs did find it hard, but it was nice to see the handlers understanding that, and helping them through.

It was a pleasure to Judge you all.

LEVEL 1’s

We had a big entry of Level 1’s today, so we knew that judging was going to be tough.

After a little swap around I headed to the exterior with Sarah as my scribe. We had some lovely searching out here,Many people decided to work the area without having it narrowed down to 3 items, and it was nice to see the trust in their dogs to work.

Quincy had a lovely work ethic, and found the scent in 13 seconds, and Wendys 2nd dog Chilli did a lovely job too. Merlin and Miage worked well, as did Tolly, Huey Minka Duke and Pye. I also have to mention our Youngest handler here, despite having a dog nearly the same size as her, 6 year old Meadow with Mr Wilson did a beautiful job. I have to say Meadows handling was some of the best I saw today, I found it hard to believe that she was 6. Well done Mum! you have taught her to be a calm, respectful, lovely handler who has a great bond with the Giant Mr Wilson.

Inca was lovely, and had such enthusiasm, she reminded me so much of Halle searching. Liked her alot, but the Star of the Exterior, and the stand out search of the day for me was Piglet, a little blind Jack Russell who entered the area with Chris, got to the middle of the space took a deep breath, and guided Chris faultlessly to the scent. Very impressive indeed.

The boxes and luggage proved trickier than I thought it would, with a few dogs convinced the scent was bound to be in a box.
Bea was great to watch, you could see her brain working as she was trying to work out which of the 2 boxes in front of her had the scent in, and then realising it was the bag behind her, Fab!. There was some lovely searching here by Merlin, Teazle, Mesha Huey, Caley, the lovely 3 legged Logan, and Soul who despite his worries about other dogs and environment now knows his job so well that not even 30 other dogs could stop him performing well today. Christine you should be so proud of have far you both have come,

It was a long day for some dogs, but I hope you have all taken something positive from the day, and I hope to see you all again.