Kent County SAR
Tonight we rushed around like crazy to head out to the Cannonsburg Game Preserve to meet Kent County Search and Rescue and see how things are run a little closer to home. We were a little lost and confused and weren’t sure we were in the right spot because of all of the bikers (as in bicycle not motorcycle) but then we saw this:
We discussed the various SAR training techniques, the different classes that KCSAR had to offer and the application process then we headed out to see how Mason would do.
We discussed where his training had been left off for the last week and a half and then how we would pick up where it had been left off - teaching the alert and the refind. I decided to try out a new toy because Mason doesn’t really enjoy tugging with anyone he doesn’t know but he enjoys fetching for anyone at any time. I bought a ball that he has never had and will never have at home - a larger, squeaky blue ball. 
We did a couple of exercises where he was just finding the victims and then receiving his toy, like we’ve done in the past.
Getting ready to Search:
Then we started to try to work in the refind. He would find the victims, but not receive his toy like he was used to, then I would immediately call him back where he would be asked to Speak. As soon as he did, the victims would make enticing noises and scamper around until he came racing back towards them (with me rushing after him) and as soon as he reached them he would get his toy. We did this several times but he didn’t quite get the tie-together, although once treats were added he was much more enthusiastic .
So we decided to work on making it more fun for him to run back to me and then back to them specifically. I got a lot of instructions because I didn’t want to screw up on some vital timing.
Mason was taken with the “Victims” and then I had him come back to me, Speak and then race back to them (where he then got treats).
After he had been successful a couple of times, we decided to quit while ahead and Mason was allowed to keep his toy as his reward:
Everyone stood around and chatted some more, about upcoming meetings etc
Mason was pretty tired:
Although I felt clumsy and as though Mason wasn’t progressing as quickly as he should’ve; everyone else said that he did wonderfully and had great potential!
Later I even heard from other members that had not been out with us that they had been told that Mason did wonderfully and is looking good .