I have a 4 month lab puppy, and am using the training method from the Happy Puppy Handbook to train heel (but with a marker word rather than clicker). In the garden all is going well however I am now at the point where I am starting to proof this, so have tried in a field. I've increased the value of the treats however sometimes sheep poo is just more tempting, what is the best way to handle it when she wanders off ? At the moment I turn around, walk away and wait for her to catch up with me before trying again.
Re: Proofing heel with a puppy You could try running in the opposite direction, calling her name in a high pitched voice and possibly wave your arms around. I know it sounds silly, but it usually works for me. The only other thing you can do is teach 'leave it' which can be very difficult with sheep or cow poo good luck
Re: Proofing heel with a puppy Hello and a very warm welcome! You really need to find a balance between distractions and your treats plus what your puppy is able to do. If you can't walk passed sheep and cow poo off lead (I assume you are trying to get an off lead heel) then you need to find an "in between" - so a field with no poo, or a bit of poo, or reduce what you are asking for - just a few steps at heel and instead work on just keeping your pup's attention when there is sheep and cow poo etc. Hope helpful!
Re: Proofing heel with a puppy Pippa (editor) has put an article about clicker training off lead heel. www.thelabradorsite.com/clicker-training-heel or click on the post in this section of the board entitled 'training information and articles' and follow the links. I've been thinking about trying it myself as my dog is a year and while she always walks properly on lead, I have similar problems with distractions when trying to do off lead heel. Good luck. Just realised you may already have tried this if you've got the Happy Puppy Handbook. If so it might be worth actually using a clicker rather than a word. When I started using a clicker to train retrieving, Molly improved much more quickly than when just using a verbal well done and treat.
Re: Proofing heel with a puppy Thanks, I'll try reducing what I'm asking for and try to keep her attention a bit better. Avoiding poo is a bit difficult all the fields around here have livestock in them. Does any one use a 'negative' marker word for when the dog doesn't get it right, not as a correction as such, more - "nope you're not getting a treat for that" ? Zeph is my second pup and unfortunately with my 20 month old I made loads of mistakes that I'm still struggling with, so am keen to get it as right as I can with this one her
Re: Proofing heel with a puppy I used to use a "no reward" marker, but don't now. This is because the trainer I'm with doesn't think they are effective - the dog learns quicker without direction. The trouble you have here is that it's pretty rewarding to sniff poo instead of walking at heel - so be careful you don't pair "nope" with sniffing poo. You could try creating the in betweens. So, can you maintain attention and an off lead heel passed a new toy in the garden? Then a treat. If not, then your chances of doing so passed a smelly pile of poo in an exciting field might not be that high. You could even get a bucket of poo and try walk passed it in the garden! ;D Also, don't underestimate how far it's possible to ratchet up the value of the treats. A very hungry dog and left over sirloin steak works wonders with Charlie...as does king prawns.
