OK, there must be an easy(ish) way to do this. And if there is I'd like to know about it before we start! What is the best way to teach a dog to move from a sitting position facing the trainer (for example, having just delivered a dummy) to sitting in the heel position? Do you lure? Do you have a placeboard in the heel spot? Any and all tips welcomed.
Re: From dummy delivery position to heel position Huge struggle with this - for various reasons. I won't go through the variations tried.... Placeboard. Every time for me....
Re: From dummy delivery position to heel position I used Pippas: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/establishing-a-heel-position-for-your-labrador/ he got it quick but we were sloppy at sit at heel.Ive tightened it up over the summer,luring him into position with a treat and then using the clicker.if he isn't into my leg nice and snug I just pat my leg and he readjusts himself ...that has come unconsciously ,one of those things you do but don't realise you are doing :
Re: From dummy delivery position to heel position At obedience classes with Hattie we were taught the "finish" command, to start with you lure your dog round to your left then a sit and say "finish". Hattie now does this automatically with the "finish" cue. Very simple way to teach it I think x
Re: From dummy delivery position to heel position I used a food lure to start with and once dummy desire is established instead of putting the dummy away you can use it to bring the dog round. Then you change that to a hand movement without the lure(as you'd expect). Most experienced dogs don't need to be asked to "finish" after a while, they do it automatically after delivery in order to be ready for the next retrieve.
Re: From dummy delivery position to heel position Food lure here for teaching heeling. But we do it against an obstacle like a fence or coffee table to encourage a straight sit. Make your luring motion very wide to the side and then behind you, and bring the dog in straight as if you are landing them on a runway by your left leg. Don't say 'sit', say 'heel' or 'finish' or anything but 'sit'. You want to use a special word that specifically means 'sit by my left leg'. A placeboard would be good if you are planning on using one for other things.
Re: From dummy delivery position to heel position [quote author=Oberon link=topic=7891.msg110841#msg110841 date=1411112834] But we do it against an obstacle like a fence or coffee table to encourage a straight sit. [/quote] I really, really struggled to move away from a barrier and keep the straightness. The placeboard sorted it. But, I haven't faded the placeboard....so don't know yet...
Re: From dummy delivery position to heel position You may want to decide which way you want your dog to turn too.... We do a Euro finish which means Riley goes out to my left, turns and sits by my side. An English finish means the dog goes round behind your back. Ours came about accidentally as we just found it easier that way.....I don't think there's anything in it but you'll want to be consistent. We didn't use a barrier but we did a lot of sitting from a heel position, if Riley doesn't get a reward or I tap my leg again he readjusts himself until he's square. We've also started doing some practice that involves me taking a quarter turn one way or the other and asking him to adjust with a leg tap. Ideally the dog should maneuver to stay by your side so if you line up for the retrieve they line themselves up too. I think they basically get better at this over time as they learn to mark better and better.
