I've moved this out of "daily routine" and started again. (Just for the avoidance of doubt - this isn't about walking at heel. It's about getting the dog to do a dead straight sit on the left hand side wherever he happens to start from. Our problem was not achieving this when Charlie was on my right, or in front of me.) I'm working to Rachael's suggestion: When I'm teaching the heel position (as in sit automatically at my left leg when I say 'heel') I do not move my feet. The dog has to learn the he is responsible for achieving the right position and that you will not come to him. But I do do a bit of thigh slapping initially Once you've mastered the broom cupboard try the corner of a room or something like that. Once you're happy that he's got the concept and is sitting straight and close, add the movement ('static turns') where you turn 90 degrees to the right on the spot. Next session try 180 deg, then 270 then 360. At a later point you can teach this in reverse (going backward, butt first) but I'd leave that for now. Try to keep your right leg still(ish) and always make the first move with your left leg. You want the left leg to be the principal cue, eventually. In contrast, when teaching stays, move off with your right leg first. Left leg = move with me. Right leg = don't move at all. So today we working our way out of the broom cupboard (where we were while we learned to follow a lure round the back, which we had much difficulty with! : Honestly, we get stuck on the easiest things, sometimes!) and have made it to a more practical doorway. Which means I can put the hoover away again. Here is what we ended up with by the end of the day. We've used all our clicker sessions and food on this today, so haven't done anything else! And we've got lots of other stuff to do! Any tips, gratefully received. My timing is a bit dodgy at first, isn't it? Am I clicking too soon before his bum hits the ground? And is he leaning against the wall? Will that be a problem later? Sometimes I wonder how this dog learns anything with me in charge.... : : : http://www.flickr.com/photos/97932779@N08/10928029535/ Now all I need is a doorway in a field... : Off to the park now, to polish up my figure of 8s....
Re: Straight sit on left hand side Hi Julie, you are not clicking too soon. The second click was a bit slow, but you knew that You are doing great!
Re: Straight sit on left hand side Thanks - that's a great comfort to know I'm getting it ok. He was closer and a bit better than normal in the park (to put on his lead etc.) but definitely not as good as when we are wall assisted! :
Re: Straight sit on left hand side Thought of you today when my Lab backed up into the heel position from about 6ft on his bottom
Re: Straight sit on left hand side [quote author=Stacia link=topic=3340.msg36262#msg36262 date=1384800735] Thought of you today when my Lab backed up into the heel position from about 6ft on his bottom [/quote] Is that good? Sorry, I don't know what you mean (just a beginner here). :-[ You mean he adjusted his position over 6ft without leaving a sit? You must post a video!
Re: Straight sit on left hand side No, not necessarily good, just funny to see him backing into the heel position on his bum. Did it really fast as well! I don't have a video camera unfortunately
Re: Straight sit on left hand side Sounds good to me, anyway! Charlie can walk on his front paws, for all I care, so long as he ends up in a bloomin' straight sit - this week!
Re: Straight sit on left hand side Julie, that us really, really nice!! I'd be 100% happy with that if I was you. Lovely. Don't be afraid to go back to the doorway for 'refresher training' at any point. When you are practising in a place that doesn't have a wall be very mindful of where your hands and treats are. Just watch out for accidentally bringing him round to the front too much so his butt sticks out. You were not doing this at all in the vid - it's just something to watch out for. Keep your standards high and ask for a close, straight sit. Don't worry too much about how fast he is just yet - work on an accurate position. And don't do too many repetitions Break it up with fun stuff. Maybe just half a doz at a time. Also, use any opportunity to 'Premack' your heel. That is, if something really great is about to happen (breakfast, dinner, going out the door, being released at the dog park) do one heel (sit at left) first. Then mark and allow access to the reward. The reward will reinforce the heel (or any other behaviour that precedes the reward).
Re: Straight sit on left hand side Great tips - thanks so much, really, thanks. I'm really grateful, these vids and then the tips I get speed my progress so much! I'll keep at it!
Re: Straight sit on left hand side I think you both look great Julie...looks like a great start to me
Re: Straight sit on left hand side I agree you both look great and I love the way Charlie looks up at you
Re: Straight sit on left hand side Thats brilliant Julie. Charlie looks great. I particularly liked the way he had a sneaky look at camera as if checking 'looking good'. When I read about you being in a broom cupboard or working your way out of the broom cupboard it sounds so funny makes me smile but it's obviously working really well.
Re: Straight sit on left hand side [quote author=charlie link=topic=3340.msg36317#msg36317 date=1384848914] I love the way Charlie looks up at you [/quote] That's because I have cheese!
Re: Straight sit on left hand side I do love these posts Julie, I find all the advice you get really helpful for my training!! We've been working on heel sits to the left as well, and its really tricky to get them bang on. I had taught mine a command of 'And Round' (said in a sing song voice of course :', them sitting in front of me and luring them round with a treat at first, and then they just did it on the sing songy 'and round' command. this was ages ago though and I just taught them it for some fun, the trouble I have now is getting the left sit to be nicely by my side as they've been allowed to just sit at my left any old how...we have borrowed your techniques quite a bit and its looking much better. I still use 'and round' as a command but don't have to say it in a singy songy voice anymore. Handy just in case I ever venture into the gun dog training world again . It still a bit random as to whether they will do it nicely though, Brods in particular always sits a bit far back. Cuilli swings out to the left...but we will persevere! my friends think I have OCD with this...
Re: Straight sit on left hand side Debsie - so glad it helps. It helps me in so many ways. I get tips, and also I get to watch what I do. It's great. I didn't want to post a video at first, it was really terrifying to post a vid and ask how I could do it better. But I got over that, and now think it's just a fab thing to do. In the park, without wall assistance, we weren't so good. But not awful! Much better, anyway.
Re: Straight sit on left hand side [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3340.msg36329#msg36329 date=1384852880] [quote author=charlie link=topic=3340.msg36317#msg36317 date=1384848914] I love the way Charlie looks up at you [/quote] That's because I have cheese! [/quote] Ah yes the loving looks for cheese, works every time here too ;D
