Dog Tracking & Motorhome Adventures

On Thursday, August 20th, I had booked a tracking test for 5:00 pm, but I had also entered the SGVK evening show in Ljungskile/Backamo the following day and had decided that we would make the trip down there. But first things first.

We hadn’t trained very much for the tracking test, partly because of pure laziness, but also because of the heat and the fact that I really don’t have anywhere suitable to lay a track. Being relatively new to the area, I don’t have many contacts yet, and you need permission from the landowner with hunting rights to lay a game tracking trail.

But I knew he was good at it, and that he has just the right pace when he doesn’t get distracted by another scent. Moose seems to be particularly interesting to him! Chezter is methodical and has received praise from judges before. I also let him work without interfering, neither with the lead nor with my voice.

At one point, though, I thought he seemed a little distracted and might be about to follow another track. You can see it in him when his tracking behaviour changes, and he starts using the wind. When he is tracking properly, his nose stays firmly down on the ground the whole time. So I told him, “Back!” He immediately turned around, went back to the track on his own and continued.

It was hot, and even I, who rarely sweat, was feeling a little damp! 😅 But anyway, we made it to the finish, and the judge praised both of us and gave us the fantastic news that we had received a clear first prize — which meant that Chezter was now a Swedish Tracking Champion!! 🏆❤️

We quickly headed home to feed the dogs and take a shower before setting off again in the motorhome, heading south.

I was tired, so we drove until we only had two hours left of the 5½-hour journey to Ljungskile. We stopped at Sandbäckens rest area and had a good night’s sleep there.

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Since the show wasn’t due to start until 2:30 pm, there was no need to rush off in the morning. The dogs and I took it easy, and we arrived at Backamo at around 11:30 am. Once there, we put up the fence and sorted everything out, so we could finally feel like we were “home.”

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Friday – SGVK, Judge: Annika Ulveit-Moe

Chezter had to give way to Östen in the Champion Class and finished as 2nd Best Male.Best in Show (BOB) was Chezter’s daughter Cleo! ❤️

After the show, I treated myself to some langos and a Coke. 😋

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Saturday – SKK Backamo Nordic, Judge: Helle Bekker

Since we were practically living at the showgrounds, I could take it easy this morning too. Lots of motorhomes and caravans had arrived during Friday, and there was barking here and there, but these three behaved absolutely perfectly. So proud of them! ❤️

Chezter was raring to go, and his eyes lit up the moment I got out the show lead. Happy little jumps all around! This time, Östen had to give way to Chezter, who won the Champion Class with CK.

In Best Male, however, he turned into a complete Hare-Hop and happily bounced his way around the entire ring, absolutely refusing to listen to me! 😂 We finished in 3rd place this time.

But he was happy and full of energy, and that’s what matters. He has never really thought that dog shows were particularly exciting, so I’m just happy that he’s happy. 💙

While I was in the ring showing Chezter, Daisy and Chili stayed in the motorhome, where it was nice and cool. They were so good and seemed to have slept through it all. I chatted with the neighbour next to us, and he said it had been completely quiet.

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Sunday – SKK Backamo Nordic, Judge: Helle Bekker

On Sunday, I had rather stupidly entered Chili, even though she wasn’t in good coat and was also having a false pregnancy and feeling rather sluggish. It was definitely not a hit, and honestly, entering her was a pretty silly decision. 🙈

But we’ll be back!

Once we were finished at the showgrounds, I went shopping for some more coat products for Chili, following some very good advice from the wonderful Åsa Wilkinson. It really makes me happy to think that I’ve ended up in two breeds where people are so friendly, helpful and willing to share their knowledge.

I’m incredibly grateful for that. ❤️

Once I finally got rolling again after all the packing and rearranging everything in the motorhome, I drove for a couple of hours. I stopped for a proper walk and once again spent the night at Sandbäckens rest area.

Then, after a good night’s sleep, I finally made it home on Monday afternoon. 🐾❤️