I know I'd read something eons ago about using targeting for walking to heel, but I've never used it until the last few days. The first time was when DH and I were together, each with a dog. They normally walk fabulously like this, but for some reason on that occasion, they were both excited, and trying to pull. I found it a bit tedious, if I'm honest, so I tried using the hand target as a game with Willow. They both have a very strong hand target, which is a game in itself, and inherently rewarding these days; I've worked long and hard on this, especially with Willow who was quite ambivalent about it to begin with. As soon as I started doing it, I got her attention and she started walking nicely, with far more focus on me than I'd normally get from a simple C&T or stop/start. This morning, I had both dogs on lead. This is a lot more challenging than just one, for obvious reasons, and with fresh snowfall, they were feeling full of the joys of winter. This led to putting their noses down to sniff and Willow being out in front, not concentrating on me. This can be really quite dangerous when it's slippery underfoot, and it's something I've been working on on tarmac, but of course the more distracting situation for them (fresh snow) is also when I need them to perform better, so that I don't end up on my backside. So, back to using the hand target. I made it less exciting in this case, because I was after a calm behaviour, so just kept placing my hand by my side and giving a soft "touch" cue for them in turn. Well, miracle of miracles, it worked beautifully, both at keeping their attention, and keeping Willow in a better position. Of course each touch was followed by a treat and, again, I found it a lot more effective than the regular methods I employ. I thought this might help anyone else who struggles with getting their dogs to be attentive at heel in certain situations.
Thanks for sharing Fiona. It's always good to be able to mentally file someone else's training experience away for future situations. The hand touch is such a useful tool and very adaptive. It must be so much harder walking the two dogs when it's exciting, one dog can be bad enough
Oh yes! Take those frustrating walks where your dog just isn't getting it, multiply it by two dogs and then double it again because of how much they wind each other up. I love them to bits, but it would be so much easier with only one! I don't think I would ever have litter mates (or dogs of a very close age) again for reasons like this. And my two are angels compared to some!
I can definitely see how the hand touch would work and I can honestly say that I hadn't thought of it. I was shown a handy tip by one of the trainers at our dog club. She said to do a quick 360 degree turn while walking at heel to help get your dog to refocus. You can do this in either direction but a right turn is obviously easier. I have found this to be really handy when Ella starts to focus elsewhere.
Oh, not sure of the logistics when it comes to two dogs... Although I still can't work out how you manage to walk them both together!
I like the sound of this.. I wonder if Coco's hand touch is strong enough yet. I'll keep working on it, useful tool to have.
I'll try this tonight on our lead walk for a bit of variety .I haven't used a hand touch for anything since the last set of obedience lessons...you forget about things sometimes so it's really good when it gets brought up in a post ,thanks x
I do the turning with mine sometimes, and it does help. If I'm struggling, I'll use a chirpy "this way!" as I change direction over and over, twirling and zig-zagging around like a drunkard. Man, it's hard to stay chirpy sometimes! I think the hand target works better for my two, but, like I said, I've worked on making this really strong and enjoyable for them. I use it daily as part of the "ready..... steady....." game and use loads of movement with it - making them run for it, reach for it, jump over something for it etc. Ah, it can be interesting, for sure I'm doing them a bit of a disservice, really. Generally, they're very good. Shadow will walk slightly behind my left leg and Willow will walk ahead. This is fine when they're happy to trot along and keep pace, but when they're distracted, it can be a challenge. I'm currently working on them being more bilateral, so they're happy to walk on either side, so when it's quiet and I can concentrate, I'll have one on either side. This works better as far as keeping them both level with my leg, but it's harder for me to keep an eye on them both than if they're both on the same side.
Have you tried walking with them on a brace on one side? my older two walk really well together on one - one forges slightly - one lags slightly - I travel in the middle peacefully - mind I'm not too worried about their position at heel, only walking nicely required - They walk on my right and the younger one walks on my left - hummm and now have another puppy to fit in somewhere ??? haven't managed that yet.
Hattie has a really good hand touch from a long distance which is really useful for an alternative recall, but I will try this for heel work, interesting. Thanks Fiona
Do you mean brace as in pair or as in a device? I usually walk them both on my left, where Willow will go ahead and Shadow will lag back. This is fine 80%+ of the time, when they're walking nicely, but when they are distracted, Willow tends to start pulling. I have double-ended leads and occasionally use one lead for the two of them, but it's a complete disaster normally. Probably because I generally only do this when I have to use the second lead for someone else's dog ... chaos.
I meant one lead with a coupler on the end - I found it easier to manage - leads didn't get twisted and the dogs soon learnt that it was much easier to trog along and the odd lunge from one was kindof absorbed in the inertia of the other(mind they are much older 6/7 years than your two, so fairly calm and sensible (now!)). It only really works if they walk fairly well and happy with their position - you said one likes to forge slightly and the other lags a little which is exactly what my two do. The only problem I sometimes have is when one suddenly wants a poo and the other has to be a bit cosy while it happens.
Thanks for your ideas. Mine are generally good on their leads and even when they pull, it's very, very rarely more than just pressure on the collars, not maniacal pulling. I may give a coupler a go and see how it works out. They almost never poo on lead anyway
I find the hand touch really useful in lots of situations. At agility, when Harley is a bit distracted, I use the hand touch to get her focus on me. I will try it on lead and see if she responds!!
