Hey guys!
I'm still here, but I admit, I've have no energy to do anything but troll here for a while!
I've had some shifts in my pack and their training, so let me fill you in!
First off, Mr. Frodo is just fine, and will be turning 2 tomorrow! He is as light in the loafers as ever, and continually asks me why I keep bringing more girls home.
Inga, my latest Fidelco foster, is indeed here until her return date. Her origional fosters had some time constraints, so she will finish training at Camp Dimock.
Ilan is still the pack Alpha with the big mouth, Fenna is still the beautiful Momma for Fidelco, and Sika has learned to "sniff" out the required scent, and we have a great game for her to work at! (This controls her anxiety in the house, and allows her to "have a job")
Miss Tasha, who I turned into the kennel with great expectations, was released very quickly from her guide dog training. Because of her high drive, I was very concerned about a "pet" home, and I offered to take her back until we could find a suitable place for her. The kennel was not a good place for Miss Tasha, and I felt that she could at least regain her sensibility while "working" in my house.
In the week and a half that she has been home, I think that I've found my partner.
I've started some SAR work with her, and have found that she is in heaven when she is trailing. Tasha is a joy to work with for me. She is completely honest, and lets go of any fear she might have when she is on the scent.
Inga may be the last Fidelco pup in my house for a while, as I turn my attention to Tasha, whom I think is a dog I'd be crazy to let go of. We haved formed a team (one that I missed but she didn't) and are in our glory, trailing through the woods at top speed. (Tasha DOES NOT work slow.)
I think that life is settling again here, and I will keep you all posted on my new adventure with TashaBounce!
Love you all!

Jess

Jess, I missed you and the pack!!!

I am so happy to see you posting again!

Tasha sounds like a dream and I am so happy that the others are doing well and are with you at Camp Dimock!

Please keep posting as you always have such informational posts and great advice!

Jess, Grimmi and I miss you! I love the story of TashaBounce enjoying her trailing! She is one awesome dog. I wouldn't be surprised if you discovered other capabilities in her future-- she is, again, awesome! May you two feel like a perfect match, and enjoy discovering eachothers abilities!

Grimmi sends you, Ris, Ana and The Pack full-body love-leans, and one of his patented Disgust-O-Licks!

Jess, I'm sorry to hear things have been so crazy lately. But I'm glad things are settling down. I am happy to hear how well everyone is doing. Sorry to hear TashaBounce 'bounced' from the program. But glad to hear she's found a new calling.

Wishing you guys the best!

Tasha "Bounced" right back into my lap!
We are having a boat load of fun, and will start "water recovery" this weekend!
Hopefully the boat is big.
If a dog could capsize us all, it's Tasha!

Patti!
I got my partner back! You so know how much I LOVE this girl's focus and drive!
She is still a PIA in the house, but super focused when I ask her to go to work.
Can't beat that.

Missed you and your pack
thanks for posting
glad to hear you and the pack are doing good.
Wish you the best of luck!

glad that you checked in and at least have some troll time!

Glad you checked in and everyone is doing well!

Glad to hear from you & glad everything is going well with your pack...I so miss Mr Frodo stories

Give them all a hug from us !!

Glad to hear Tasha has found here niche and that you are back on with us here.

Yahoo!!!

Can't wait to see Tasha bounce ina few weeks along with you all
My sister Paige maybe joining us

I started water recovery work with Eyra a while back. Great fun!! Let us know how it goes.

My kids don't know it yet but she can seek them out all over the woods in a few weeks! Happy bouncing Tasha, I'm so glad she's found her calling.

Have the kids bring a sock! Make one of them sit with it on the ride down! When you get here, I'll have you bag it! It should be interesting!

Remind me - not one of James' socks either. Those things are deadly.

Deadly might be good!
We're talking a totally new scent here!
I'll remind you~!
Grab a clean sock and have one of them sit on it, or put in their pocket on the ride down!
I'll have Ana hide with them. She is getting really good at this.
I want to see if Tasha can "mark" the child that had the sock. (It might be better if you don't tell them why they are holding a sock, then there will be no competition.)
I won't clue them in, and Tasha will "find" everyone!
Bear with me!
I'm traveling a whole new road too!
Trying to see what works for Tasha, and how to interperate it!

Tasha has great drive for trailing!
I am feeling some concern over her reaction to the scuba divers though.
She came out of the kennel with some people "reactivity" issues. She has been back in my home less than 2 weeks.
I know that
1) Her work ethic is scary. (She will trail and find the person that "scares" her the most, and she doesn't falter.)
2) When I work her like the guide dog foster I knew, she doesn't react at all.
So something happened that made her fear aggressive on a focused approach. (I think I know what it is, but I'm not going there. It is truely a Tasha problem, and the blame can fall to no one who volunteers their time for Fidelco.)
Some things that I have been doing that seem to help....
When we work with the group, everyone ignores her and she behaves just fine. As long as there is no eye contact, there is no problem.
When she does bark, I've turned it into a game.
At the first alert, hackels up, I turn her away from the person and make her do something for me. When we turn back, the bark isn't so aggressive, so I reward it with a "Good Speak" and turn her away again. It is starting to become a fun game for her, and her barks are more "happy" than fearful. (She actually needs to learn a vocal alert, so I'm trying to kill 2 birds with one stone here!)

This is totally new to me, and ANY advice would be taken with gratitude!
I plan on getting to training very early, and letting her just observe the divers and mingle.

I'm thinking that a diver popping up to reward her would give her a heart attack right now.

Jess, there's nothing like it when it "clicks" for a working dog! You have an ideal partner in her, Tasha's energy and drive is phenomenal. She must be truly spectacular when she feels she is succeeding at what she considers work! Sending you good vibes from Grimmi and me, that you ans Tasha smooth out any rough edges and find your groove with this powerful girl!

If I weren't leaving soon, I would gladly hide for TashaBounce. I've hid for SAR dogs plenty of times. And it's FUN!!