Training Weekend News

Another training weekend has come and gone. So me and Kaz and Dram and Angus dogs went over to Coniston on Friday for the 3 day course. However, although Friday was quiet, it gave Kaz the opportunity to work with the trainees in an individual way with me supervising! At Stage 1, retired-handler Benny and Kaz spent the day with Phil and Crag (with me and Moudy supervising)

and a good level of progress was made with Crag learning how to leave the body and come back to Phil to tell him she'd found the body. 

 Benny and Brock his new trailing dog had a go at scent discrimination and Angus showed Brock how to do it properly - I had to remind Angus that 6 months ago he couldnt do it! 

 At the other training location Dave Howarth and his trainee Fern was under pre-assessment (being placed in to assessment sized areas under assessment conditions) and they worked really hard in their largest/longest area to date and made good headway in working out how to cover areas effectively. 

 All of the graded handlers (Andy, Roger, and Bill) worked on a large scale search area and enjoyed themselves. I got to have a play and found the bodies at the end of the day just to show Kaz I'm still brilliant. 

 On Saturday the Stage 1's worked with Benny and Ian and John, Martin and Phil had a great time and again Benny and Brock managed to do a little discrimination work. Handler Andy Peacock observed myself and Angus working a sucessful trail near the Coppermines and later on Angus carried out an urban trail through Coniston centre. 

 The graded handlers did some more work on rucksacks etc. 

 Dave and Fern had another day of learning curve - working for 3 hours in misty conditions whilst Roger followed them round. 

 On Saturday night Chris and Kaz gave talks on Scent Theory and searching areas.

On Sunday Dave had a rest (much deserved) and the Stage 1 handlers continued to hone their skills under Ian's watchful eye. 

 Graded handlers Nick, Chris, Christyne, and Andy went over to the North Cumbria Search Panel exercise held at Mallerstang and had a good day working alongside colleagues from Kendal, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith, Teasdale, Weardale, Cave Rescue and SARDA England. 

The only sad news is that Paul O'Mahoney has decided to withdraw from training.