Nosework Seminar - 22 April 2012

I attended a K9 Nosework seminar in Oregon yesterday.  I audited the NW2 session and learned so much!  The instruction was given by Ron Gaunt, the NACSW founder, and Shelly Smith.

 

I learned more about dog handling than I could ever begin to write about.

 

The non-dog stuff I learned....

 

- always take sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, and sunglasses

- take a hair tie for windy days

- take a chair

- wear comfortable shoes

- wear pants with lots of pockets; cargo pants would be great

- bring snacks and a water bottle

- it would be easier to pack a lunch than going to get something

- wear a watch

Nosework Seminar

I lucked out and was able to get into a Nosework seminar on Sunday. I didn't even know it was taking place until my instructor emailed that one of her other students had registered but now can't make it and was giving up her spot.  It's in Portland so kind of far away, but I don't have anything else going on so figured why not drive two hours.  I'm super excited (and apparently super dorky).

This is what it's all about:

In Skill Building for Trialing Levels,each participant will have the rare chance to learn about many critical aspects of the sport of K9 Nose Work from the man who started it all,and who deploys detection dogs to real world settings on a daily basis. Topics covered will be skills applicable to each trialing level for each element including,dog’s performance,behaviors, shaping,handler techniques,hide difficulties/placement,team communication,trialing strategies & understanding how your dog sees a search. Ron will address individual challenges for dog/handler teams.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid

Setting Jump Distances

This is a good compilation of standard jump distances

 

Distances For Jumps And Trotting Poles

How To "Export" File Structure into Excel

1. Open Windows Explorer and select the source folder in the left pane.
2. Press Ctrl + A to select all items in the right pane.
3. Press and hold the Shift key, then right click on the selection.
4. From the context menu, choose "Copy as Path".
5. Paste the list into Excel.

more lessons learned

I just found this information on the Dell website, with the most interesing item at the end which I have highlighted in yellow.

 

----------------------

 Computer Tracking Software

 

Computer tracking software may enable you to locate your computer if it is lost or stolen. The software is optional and may be purchased when you order your Dell computer, or you can contact your Dell sales representative for information about this security feature.

  

NOTE: Computer tracking software may not be available in certain countries.

 

NOTE: If you have computer tracking software and your computer is lost or stolen, you must contact the company that provides the tracking service to report the missing computer.

 

If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen

 

Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer. Include the Service Tag in your description of the computer. Ask that a case number be assigned and write down the number, along with the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the name of the investigating officer.

 

NOTE: If you know where the computer was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement agency in that area. If you do not know, call a law enforcement agency where you live.

 

If the computer belongs to a company, notify the security office of the company.

 

Contact Dell Customer Support to report the missing computer. Provide the computer Service Tag, the case number, and the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing computer. If possible, give the name of the investigating officer.

 

The Dell Customer Support representative will log your report under the computer Service Tag and record the computer as missing or stolen. If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service Tag, the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The representative will attempt to get the phone number and address of the caller.  Dell will then contact the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing computer.

---------------------------------------

At the time of this post, the link to register a stolen system with Dell is http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/stolen_system?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

Lessons learned from being robbed

-Sentry fireproof safes can be popped open with a screw driver with what appears to have been relatively little effort

-Write down the serial number of your laptop - apparently that's the best way to catch the thief

-If you have your passwords written down Hide Them WELL!!!!  It's true, they really do dig through your sock drawer.  Luckily they did not find mine (which were not in my sock drawer) which were in another locked area, but I was panicked until I found it safe.

-Go buy dowel rods, or some other item to put in any of your slider windows.  That's how they got in my house.  Not sure if the dowel rod would have helped, but definitely wouldn't have hurt

-Take pictures of the jewelry you love.  I have pictures of the valuable items (monetarily speaking) but nothing of the items that are the most important to me and truly the only pieces that I want back.

-Password protect your computer so it requires a password at start up to even get to your desktop.  Sadly, I did not do this.  Hopefully they are just looking to pawn it and are not criminal masterminds.

-Get an external hard drive so you can back up your data.  Luckily, I did do this and they didn't steal it.
-Password protect your thumbdrives

-Take pictures of the receipts of your purchases.  It's a pain to save paper receipts, but a picture is quick and easy.

-Get an alarm system, seriously, just get one.

Don Quixote

I just love this.