Julia Earns Her NACSW NW3 Elite Title

Julia earned her National Association of Canine Scent Work NW3 Elite title on January 9, 2022. She found all 9 hides and overall it was a great day. Unfortunately, on the first container search, after clearing all containers, I turned around and went through the containers again. My gut told me it was blank but I just had to run it again and got a false. Trust your dog. Yet another lesson learned. Either way, she was able to earn her NW3 Elite with 1 error and a qualifying score of 90.00 on the day.

Thank you to Absolutely Spot On Dog Training for hosting, CO Peter Ensch, judges, volunteers, and other competitors for a super fun day!

Intentional Camera Movement Photography - Revisited

Back in 2016, I started experimenting with intentional camera movement photography or ICM. You can read the original post here. I wanted to briefly revisit the subject and share a few of my favorite new images.

As I mentioned in my first blog post, the idea of intentional camera movement photography is to introduce blur into the photograph using a slow shutter speed. Shutter speed should be somewhere between 1/4 of a second up to a few seconds while moving the camera vertically or horizontally. This technique can create some wonderful abstract photos.

Tip - When pressing the shutter button, move the camera slow for a shot and then try it faster. Results vary tremendously, so experiment, try different shutter speeds, and move the camera at a slower or quicker motion. This is a total trial and error process. Have fun!

Now more than ever, I find intentional camera movement photography a super-fun way to try new things with no rules. Most times, multiple images are required to achieve “the shot” that I’m looking for, but it’s all worth it.

California Pacific Ocean Abstract - 2.4 seconds at F10

Florida Seascape Abstract - 0.5 seconds at F36

Julia Completes Her AKC Scent Work Advanced Interior Title

Julia and I had a fun weekend attending the AKC Scent Work Trials hosted by the Obedience Club of Daytona in Daytona Beach, Florida. The weekend consisted of four nose work trials over two days.

We competed in Advanced Interiors, Advanced Buried and Excellent Containers. Over the two days of trials Julia completed her Advanced Interior Title. She was two for two in Advanced Interiors, two for two in Advanced Buried and two of four in Excellent Containers taking 4th place in one of the container searches.

Below is a video that a friend took of our first Advanced Buried run. Julia seemed to take her time in finding the hides but perhaps she was just being thorough.☺In the end she cleared the area before time expired and that’s what counts. I am super proud of my girl. I was quite surprised by the spectators reaction when I called finish. Such a fun sport.



Julia Earns Her USCSS Detection Dog Classic Novice Title

Fun weekend at our first United States Canine Scent Sports trial in Cocoa Beach, Florida hosted by the Canine Star Training Academy.

Over the weekend Julia achieved her Detection Dog Classic Novice Title and her Novice Exterior Element Title. DDN Classic Title results for Julia were - 1st place containers, 1st place exterior, 3rd place vehicles and 4th place interior.

Saturday didn't go as planned but we regrouped and worked it again on Sunday. No matter what venue, location or level, there's always something to learn.

Thanks to the hosting facility of Canine Star Training Academy, Judge Marilyn Hulme, Chief Search Designer Natalie Duberow, all the volunteers and other competitors. (Seemed like it was only raining in Cocoa Beach over the weekend huh?)

AKC Scent Work Trials - DeLand, Florida

Brilliant day today for Julia at the AKC Scent Work Trial(s) hosted by Central Florida Agility Club in DeLand, Florida. A big shout out to the host, judges, volunteers, and competitors. Such a fun time!

Julia titled in both Novice B Exterior and Novice B Buried. Her runs consisted of a 1st place (Buried Trial 1), two 2nd places (Buried Trial 2 & Exterior Trial 2), and a 3rd place (Exterior Trial 1). Top it all of with a High In Trial (Trial 2). Super proud of her!!!

Special thanks to Bad Azz Dogz for the photos!