4Winds K9 Trailing Canada

08/15/2026

Photos from Afterglow Bouviers Jacquie Moore! These are the last of our photos from the amazing seminar with Christoph Rosenberger showing Group One - my students! Group two members participated as auditors for the first three days.

I was proud of every team as we’ve worked hard! So happy with how Christoph guided us all to raise our game, preparing us for improved training and teamwork. He is all that we expected - patient and clear, kind and fun, and he clearly loves what he does. Plus he works hard! Try to get him to take a break! Lunch? No thanks.

And in the evenings so much camaraderie and chat over dinner or on my back deck as we enjoyed the cooler air. I appreciate all of his advice and observations after hours and during the 6 days on leading teams, lesson planning and delivery and progressing each team to excel with GAK9 standards.

This seminar was a game changer and is a turning point for us as we continue our journey and quest in the beautiful world of following our dogs in trailing. Thanks to all who came (group one and two!) and especially to Christoph for making this time for us.

Thank you Jacquie for these more intimate photos showing the group gathered and learning together.

Personal note

*I had hoped my beautiful GSD Micah would be in this seminar but she died of hemangiosarcoma - cancer on her spleen and heart on May 6. Heart breaking. I thought about cancelling it because I was so torn apart.

My good boy Border Collie Finn stepped in and as things turned out I also have a new puppy GSD Lupin, related to Micah. Thanks to Christoph for his kindness during this time and advice about my own dogs and that we always need to be in the present with the dogs we are working and give them the best we can. It meant a lot. And Finn and Lupin say woof! Meaning thank you.

08/14/2026

As promised here are images showing the open slots for the drop-in trailing lessons in Central Alberta from now to September 19. Lots have filled up! If you’d like to grab an opening or two peruse the dates and times. Lessons are in small groups and last 2-3 hours.

Calgary area lessons move around and are on Wednesday mornings and evenings. Olds area lessons are in mornings and afternoons. Please contact me using the Contact link on my website (or if you know me, you know how to reach me) to get your name in.

Website link is “donnabrinkworth coaching dot ca” (all one word). You’ll also see a link to a registration form there. Today’s the official deadline but as long as there are spots I welcome people to come out, even once to try trailing!

Pics of my 4.5 month old GSD pup Lupin today on a 2 km walk! She got excited when we turned around and did some pretty fun back tracking. I just love seeing how much dogs love to use their noses!

08/14/2026

Here is English Cocker True’s second trail. He hesitated on the first driveway crossing then ran toward me and veered off to the other side solving that challenge creatively. And at the second driveway he just ran straight across like “been there done that!” He is such a joyful boy. Lindy touched the boulders on the other side.

He went behind the white sign which is where Lindy went then appeared to be sorting out a scent cone on this beautiful green grass - I realized he was on a hill and the wind was blowing the scent cone down to where I was standing to record. It looked like he was trying to come to me but he ignored me and did a big curve working his way up to Lindy. Very nice work! Thanks Lindy!

08/14/2026

Here are Deb Johnson and English Cocker True. He’s been a quick study to trail and is a cheerful and persistent worker. Last night he followed an edge, then crossed a grass opening to find Lindy!

The turbulence from the busy road behind (Calgary’s Deerfoot) and the building corner turbulence had an effect on the crossing but we were so impressed with how he caught the scent cone then pulled across straight to Lindy!

PS his start article was in the wrong spot (meant to be against the building) and he also solved that nicely with a little practice mini-crossing. 👏🧤

PPS he needed a little privacy for a potty break so there’s a blip in the video as he is about to solve the big crossing. He worked hard!

08/13/2026

This is Lindy and Pepper’s first trail last night. She had a short moment of processing and thinking to cross a little parking lot and found Deb quickly. You can see her tail wagging here! In her next trail she was more motivated to find Deb and this “rabbit and squirrel obsessed” dog tracked past gopher holes! We are building her enthusiasm now with short trails as advised by Christoph when Lindy audited his seminar here last week. She also works very well at the end of the line! Her second “gopher hole” trail is posted separately. Thanks Deb for being a runner!

08/13/2026

Lindy and Pepper’s second trail last night. Pepper has a rabbit obsession so we ran a short trail where she had a great reward (posted above, separately) and on this one she actually trailed past active gopher holes but kept working! Thanks to Deb for being their runner.

Lindy was an auditor - helper at the Christoph Rosenberger Dogs at Work - Georgia K9 Austria seminar last week and was able to watch, listen and ask questions. It was a great training session for Pepper last night. She was also better at the end of the line!

08/13/2026

Here’s my Border Collie Finn’s trail tonight! Thanks Deb for running and Lindy for recording! Lindy told me at the end she forgot to hit record … so she aimed at the sidewalk 😜 but she DID record it! Deb WAS behind that bush. Super proud of Finn!! Fun night and appreciated running him at the end.

08/12/2026

Meeting for trailing lessons at one of my favourite areas in Calgary! It’s 14C and the cover is wet from rain since last night. Beautiful conditions! Even 15 year old Ben had his nose down to see where Lupin, Quill and Finn walked! Participants tonight were auditor-helpers at the Christoph Rosenberger seminar last week so we get to play with their dogs tonight!

08/11/2026

Drop-in trailing lessons registration is now open. If all spots don’t fill I’ll share the openings for late registrations. Come have some trailing fun! Calgary and Olds areas.

Register for Calgary (Wednesdays) or Olds-Red Deer (Saturdays). Choose your dates and options below and please register in advance. Full payment is required prior to your first lesson Deadline to register is August 14. (see payment information below for the exception for the August 12 lessons). Opti...

08/10/2026

I missed posting this photo of Sandra and Tico from group two in the seminar with Christoph Rosenberger. Taken by Jacquie Moore who forwarded it to me! What a great shot Jacquie! Afterglow Bouviers thank you! Plus this second one from Louise from SK! Thank you!