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Extracts From The Reuben Journal #1

Published 2 months ago • 1 min read

Issue #3

Extracts From The Reuben Journal #1

Below is an extract from the Reuben Journal I keep. I write an entry for every outing we take. I use an app called RambleFix. It's basically a transcriber that uses generative AI to remove all the ums and ahs and other fluff we say when we talk.

This extract describes a funny situation I found myself in when training Reuben, that keeps reminding me that dogs are smarter than we think.

Extract #1

"On Tuesday, January 2025, I returned from a delightful two-hour walk with Reuben at Wisley Common. It was a leisurely outing filled with plenty of ball play and casual moments. During our time there, I buried two jars in the ground. However, after hiding the second jar, I discovered that Reuben had dug up the first one! I couldn't help but chuckle at the situation; it struck me as quite funny.

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After re-burying the first jar, I encouraged Reuben to leave it alone. As we continued our walk, I began to wonder if he actually had a better memory than I initially thought. When we returned to the spot, he seemed to have no trouble finding the jars again. This could mean he’s improving, or perhaps he simply remembered where I buried them. After all, I had just buried them not long before, and my scent was likely still lingering in the area, alongside the truffle scent.

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To make things more challenging, I’m considering hiding the jars overnight, so he won’t be able to find them until the next day. Alternatively, I might bury them while he’s on a separate outing, ensuring he has no idea where they are hidden. I believe this is the best approach to take, as it will help me gauge his abilities more accurately.

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Overall, it was a wonderful walk, and I’m pleased that Reuben was able to find the jars. However, this experience has prompted me to think about how to make it more challenging for him. I want him to rely solely on his sense of smell, rather than his memory of being there just half an hour earlier. It was a great outing, and I’m excited to see how we can continue to develop his skills."

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See you!

SniffStuff

Cause dogs love to sniff stuff!

Welcome to my newsletter. This will be a weekly update on my journey with Reuben, describing our walks, our truffle hunting adventures, any new discoveries we happen across, and more. I'd like to also write about clothing and footwear for dog exercise in all weathers. If you want a newsletter emailed to you, feel free to subscribe. If not, all newsletters will be published here for all to see.

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