RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Proper heeling

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
R

RiverRat1

· Registered
Joined
·
59 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
When training my dog I notice that as he gets tired he starts sitting farther away from the heel position and rolls over on his hip(crooked sit).

How do I correct this? I am currently teaching him force to pile and he is 1 year old.

I also just ordered a heeling stick but I have never used/trained with one, how do I incorporated the heeling stick to force him to heel properly?
 
#5 ·
-I would highly recommend getting on a structured training program. From what it sounds like you have skipped some very crucial building steps in the overall training goal. Each program will vary but the ultimate training goal will be the same. Each program teaches building blocks you will need to work with in the future. It is curtail whatever program you follow you do not skip any steps and follow it closely. Most programs teach with a heeling stick in formal obedience as a puppy and use the heeling sticks for other teaching drills such as stick fetch and stick to pile later on. I would recommend do a little research and pick a training program and start from basic obedience with your dog even though it is a year old and you will quickly see how each step builds on the next. It is also helpful because many successful armatures and pro trainers on RTF follow these same training programs and can help you out when you are struggling at any step threw out the program. But it’s hard for anyone to give you advice if you do not follow a structure program and flowchart because no one knows what the dog has completed or not.


-I also sent you a Privet Message with the link to the whistle i use.
 
#7 ·
RiverRat1 said:
When training my dog I notice that as he gets tired he starts sitting farther away from the heel position and rolls over on his hip(crooked sit).

How do I correct this? I am currently teaching him force to pile and he is 1 year old.

I also just ordered a heeling stick but I have never used/trained with one, how do I incorporated the heeling stick to force him to heel properly?
Click to expand...

Have you tried stepping on the dogs foots that is underneath the body?
 
#9 ·
RiverRat1 said:
Yes, I have stepped over his foot but I don't do it all the time. The problems is that at times he's not even besides me, he moves away 2 feet n then sits down almost facing me...
Click to expand...
This is definitely pointing 1 at you and 3 back at myself, but you have to do it every time. Probably the worst thing you can do is to correct for something like this sometimes.

And I would also say that for most people, being 2 feet away and then sitting down almost facing you would not be considered being at heel. How do you correct for this?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#10 · (Edited)
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
What is the "force" in the force to the pile that you are currently teaching?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#12 ·
RiverRat1 said:
When training my dog I notice that as he gets tired he starts sitting farther away from the heel position and rolls over on his hip(crooked sit).

How do I correct this? I am currently teaching him force to pile and he is 1 year old.

I also just ordered a heeling stick but I have never used/trained with one, how do I incorporated the heeling stick to force him to heel properly?
Click to expand...
Work on heeling beside curbs or sidewalks to crowd the dog, forcing him to sit squarely. I am not aware of a single competitive obedience trainer who uses a whip.
 
#13 ·
If he's that far away then he hasn't gotten "here" yet. There are many ways to fix the problem but that far away from you the lazy sit is not the only issue. Wayne's suggestion of having the dog on lead is a good one. If you don't want to do that then give a nick "here" to get the dog to come to you before worrying about anything else.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Tony Marshall said:
If he's that far away then he hasn't gotten "here" yet. There are many ways to fix the problem but that far away from you the lazy sit is not the only issue. Wayne's suggestion of having the dog on lead is a good one. If you don't want to do that then give a nick "here" to get the dog to come to you before worrying about anything else.
Click to expand...

I started trying with a lead n I have better control to get I'm close to me and the use the heeling stick. Will continue to do this until he gets heel correctly...
 
#16 ·
ada5771 said:
-I would highly recommend getting on a structured training program. From what it sounds like you have skipped some very crucial building steps in the overall training goal. Each program will vary but the ultimate training goal will be the same. Each program teaches building blocks you will need to work with in the future. It is curtail whatever program you follow you do not skip any steps and follow it closely. Most programs teach with a heeling stick in formal obedience as a puppy and use the heeling sticks for other teaching drills such as stick fetch and stick to pile later on. I would recommend do a little research and pick a training program and start from basic obedience with your dog even though it is a year old and you will quickly see how each step builds on the next. It is also helpful because many successful armatures and pro trainers on RTF follow these same training programs and can help you out when you are struggling at any step threw out the program. But it’s hard for anyone to give you advice if you do not follow a structure program and flowchart because no one knows what the dog has completed or not.


-I also sent you a Privet Message with the link to the whistle i use.
Click to expand...
What whistle are you using?

I would recommend Bill Hillman's training a retriever puppy DVD. I have heard it can be used with older dogs to get a good foundation just as well as it can for young dogs. Lardy's TRT is what I started after Hillman.
 
#18 ·
Tim Carrion said:
Sitting over on their hip at 1yo after exertion I would get a priliminary hip x-ray.

Tim
Click to expand...
Why is it every time someone posts a question on a training an auto reply is get to the vet. I have a dog that does the same thing and it's nothing to do with hips.
She's a goof and I screwed up in training.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#19 ·
If possible, I think you need to look for a pro in your area who will give private lessons, because there are so many things that could be adding to your problems on the heel.

How long are your training sessions for heel? Are they short and productive or are you marching around in circles for 15 or 20 minutes at a time? Too much pointless drilling, especially in the heat of summer, can cause a dog to sprawl sit or lag at heel, and eventually to dread the training.

Before you correct for heel, the dog has to understand what heel means. Are you letting him know when he's RIGHT as well as when he's wrong? If you are constantly correcting without praise, how does he know when he's doing the right thing? Before you haul out the heeling stick, make sure he knows what he's supposed to be doing. Get A Rope. (Well, a leash.) Don't let him be so wrong that he's several feet away.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #20 ·
PalouseDogs said:
If possible, I think you need to look for a pro in your area who will give private lessons, because there are so many things that could be adding to your problems on the heel.

How long are your training sessions for heel? Are they short and productive or are you marching around in circles for 15 or 20 minutes at a time? Too much pointless drilling, especially in the heat of summer, can cause a dog to sprawl sit or lag at heel, and eventually to dread the training.

Before you correct for heel, the dog has to understand what heel means. Are you letting him know when he's RIGHT as well as when he's wrong? If you are constantly correcting without praise, how does he know when he's doing the right thing? Before you haul out the heeling stick, make sure he knows what he's supposed to be doing. Get A Rope. (Well, a leash.) Don't let him be so wrong that he's several feet away.
Click to expand...
I don't teach heel daily as a lesson but I think I need to start. He knows what it means but u are right I don't praise when he does it right n don't reprimand when wrong. Already got him on lead now for every training.

Thanks to all for your responses.
 
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
About this Discussion
19 Replies
11 Participants
Last post:
RiverRat1
RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF
posts
1.5M
members
36K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to retriever owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, training, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Retriever Training Forum Event Information AKC Field Trials Equipment, Gear & Miscellaneous Classifieds Training