We're going. Baloo will be trying for his TD title on Saturday. The rest of the day we will be watching the pros, and I'm hearing that there are 11 dogs in Division 5 trying to earn the variable surface tracking title (VST), which I'm sure will be educational to watch. Only 76 dogs have earned that title in the USA since 2005, with Baloo's dad being one of them. Even though Baloo's competition seems very minor compared to most that will be happening there, I'm still awful proud of my pup!

I just realized that my post may not make sense to everyone. AWDF=American Working Dog Federation. The Tracking Dog title that Baloo is entered for (I had to enter him in January, when I had no idea if he'd be ready for this at 7 months of age) is the lowest level of tracking. excerpt from akc : Tracking Dog (TD)
A dog earns a TD by following a track 440 to 500 yards long with three to five changes of direction. The track is laid by a human tracklayer and is "aged" 30 minutes to two hours before the dog begins scenting. The goal is to use the scented track to locate an article left at the end of the trail by the tracklayer. The owner follows the dog on a long leash and can encourage the dog during the tracking test.

My only worry is that he will blow it at the very end, when he is to "mark" the item but not touch it. Knowing Baloo, he will pick it up and sling it 50 feet straight up at the sky.

Best of luck!!! We're all pulling for him!!!

Hehehe thank you for the clarification on the sport Ann! While I love dog sports, the acronyms and point systems have never been my strong point.lol.

We all are rooting for Baloo!

I understand! My daughter tells me to speak English when I get going on this topic! My granddaughter, however, seems to understand perfectly! I can't wait to see what she's like in 15 years. I'm thinking she'll have a Rottie or a Belgian Malinois.

Ann wrote:

I'm thinking she'll have a Rottie or a Belgian Malinois.

A Rottie and A Malinois or a couple of each?

LOL! good point!