Heeling Techniques

[runnindawgz]

I think of it like the game "Hot & Cold" you played when you were a kid. Using only P+ would be like only saying "cold" as the child moves in the wrong direction while only using R+ would be like only saying "hot". It only makes sense to me to use both to communicate most efficiently.

good stuff..

[drake031]

Thanks alot for the info everyone. My pup is five months now. He is doing ok overall I think this is just one command that is hard for me to teach.

[gdgnyc]

I think of it like the game "Hot & Cold" you played when you were a kid. Using only P+ would be like only saying "cold" as the child moves in the wrong direction while only using R+ would be like only saying "hot". It only makes sense to me to use both to communicate most efficiently.

That's right. The dog wants information.

[Chris Atkinson]

Darrin, you missed the point.
Consider how you might improve your handling skills and better communicate with your dog if you did not use your knee at all.

It seems to me that one of the things many trainers with good handling and communication skills do when they teach a puppy is use tactile communication. We touch dogs with our hands, with sit sticks/heeling sticks, with leashes and collars, and we touch them with e-collar stimulation.

I don't see how responsible and properly moderated contact of the dog with one's knee in teaching healing is a bad idea, is a negative, or is a signal that one needs to improve their handling skills or communication.

I think many poor trainers can abuse a dog with all of the tactile communication options listed above. I think it is unfair to automatically assume that one is training poorly if they use some of these things.

Chris

[drake031]

Pete when you give stimulation. are you giving it as soon as they start to leaveor side till they get back?

[DarrinGreene]

I think of it like the game "Hot & Cold" you played when you were a kid. Using only P+ would be like only saying "cold" as the child moves in the wrong direction while only using R+ would be like only saying "hot". It only makes sense to me to use both to communicate most efficiently.

Dave, I hope you don't mind if I steal your analogy to use with clients.

[Dave Flint]

Dave, I hope you don't mind if I steal your analogy to use with clients.

Glad you like it. I'm sure I heard it from someone else & it made sense to me.

[Pete]

[QUOTEPete when you give stimulation. are you giving it as soon as they start to leaveor side till they get back?][/QUOTE]
Yes Drake ,thats correct. Remember it has to be at a very low level as not to cause the dog to do something you were,t planning on. You can use a leash if you are unsure.

Darrin and Dave ,,,good analogy
Pete

[DarrinGreene]

I need a set of suspenders though

[Aussie]

Years ago I rode horses and less years competed in obedience trials.

I live in a very dressage orientated area. A highly regarded dressage friend and I were chatting over a bottle a week ago. She was talking of aids required for high level communication with her horse and the number AND VARIED application of DIFFERENT POSITION (spurs for example) of these aids. One position means ONE behavior.

If a novice rider rode her well schooled horse, they would not last long on its back, as the horse would have incorrect and no doubt too many aids confusing applied.

Same thing especially when teaching young dogs. In obedience we used to cue with a big sweeping arm to teach the dog we are leaving the sit position and moving off at heel. Stay would have another cue, a sweep up to the dogs nose.

I think these cues should still be used in teaching baby pups.

Pete, to you think your dog is confused by your body language. May I humbly ask these questions???? You drop your heeling side shoulder. It is not reading your intent clearly. My private obedience instructor used to yell (well advise ha ha)at me, to walk straight. Back to the horse example, that is why they use mirrors for dressage riders. Imagine looking down at our feet, if we were learning to drive a new vehicle.