Video of 3-step heeling with Sit correction

Here's the 3-step heeling you were taught that teaches you how to halt correctly and help your dog to a correct Sit every time.

In this video, I'm teaching the Sit (so have completed the 400th Sit) and have moved into the Sit correction. However, you can use the same 3-step heeling sequence in preparation to halt by doing the first 200 Sits (molding of the dog into Sit) and Sit count 200-400 (molding + saying Sit) if that is where you are in your Sit count training process. The basic mechanics are the same, it's just after the 400th Sit, the molding ceases and you do Sit corrections from then on.

The key here is to set your hands up correctly with your feet so your Left, Right, Sit movement is smooth. Also, remember your verbal Sit begins on your 400 Sit and you will continue to use your verbal Sit at this point in the training.

Confusing as mud, yes? If it's any consolation, I had a tough time learning how to halt correctly with my feet, get my hand/leash sequence correct and remember to say Sit at the right time. I remember thinking, "WHAT? I don't know how to do this! WHAT, WHEN, HOW, HUH?"

LOL...Patience and practice will help you to memorize the correct sequence. If I can learn to do this, so can you.

SUGGESTION: Practice this with your leash and Fido, your invisible dog, until you can think "halt" (or have someone call "halt") and you can do the correct leash/feet movement easily and smoothly. The more you practice WITHOUT your dog, the smoother you are in communicating clearly what you want your dog to do as you are working it.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

Leash & collar payment?

Just going through my paperwork and realized our records don't specify when you paid for your leash and collar?  Please let me know that you have done so and would you be so kind to let me know how you paid for it, i.e. cash, check or PayPal?

You can respond to me at Roxanne@ApplewoodsDogTraining.com.

Thanks...sigh, paperwork:(

Roxanne

Update on Sugar

Sugar is steadily improving day after day. We are up to 15 minutes walking, 2 x a day, and he is moving well.  We started a 5 minute walk after one week when he came up to me and told me, "Ok..you are not taking me to work - ADT - and we are NOT going for my 3+ mile off-leash hikes, nor are we doing ANY obedience training.  I'm going nuts, please work me?" As an FYI...does his recuperation mean he does not work right now?  No, he is working, just not anywhere near what he was doing prior to surgery.

Margot is teaching a "Lights, Camara, ...ACTION!" class for advanced students who, like me, want to be able to do commercials and etc., with their trained dog. Last Saturday, without Sugar, I attended that class.  I got to use Sherpa to learn the mechanics of teaching an on-command "Jump" using a new training tool, the Jump stick.

With Sugar still recuperating, there is no way for him to do a full blown jump of any height.  However, I can teach the mechanics of this new command and so he is learning this new command on  very tiny, short 12" jump heights.

Additionally, as a puppy, Sugar was taught "Touch" which is a great way to teach a dog to target the palm of your hand and put its nose on it on command.  From that foundation, you can then teach a dog to target something else and go to it on command.  So, Sugar is getting 'worked' in the house, when outside in the back yard, and on our walks with the "Touch" command.

Sugar's training continues, as always, it just has changed shape to accommodate where he is at right now physically.

How is everyone doing?

Gasp,

I DETEST HUMIDITY!  Yuck!  Anyway, wanted to know how everyone is doing on their Week 3 homework?

Roxanne

Place using a Place cushion, Days 1 & 2, Days 3 & 4, Days 5 & 6

Class,

In these 3 video's you will notice the following:

Days 1 & 2: The Sit (molding) is happening and the Exercise Finish is part of the training.

Days 3 & 4: The Sit (molding + verbal Sit) is happening  and the Exercise Finish is part of the training.

Days 5 & 6: The Sit Correction has been added and the molding of the Sit has ceased.  Continue to use your verbal "Sit" command to help your dog understand what to do.

You can do more, but you must complete the 600th Sit by class next week in order to advance to the Sit/Stay. The Exercise Finish can and should be incorporated into your Place training sessions. It makes it easier to keep your Sit counts correct in your head and or tracking in a log.

 *CAUTION FOR YOUNG PUPPIES...it is better to do smaller segments of these sequences several times a day than to barrel through doing a days worth of training at one time. Puppies get tired and their muscles are still developing so less, done well, more often, is a sound training approach.**

*GROWN DOGS ..The rest of the class with grown dogs, work your training sessions as directed. A grown dog needs the mental discipline this training works.

These video's will help your dog to learn Place, Exercise Finish, and completing their Sit assignment this week.

Please note in the videos the homemade "Place cushion" which is simply a pillow sham stuffed with new carpet padding.  Roxanne had at least 8 of these made and keeps them in her car, around the house, and take them with her when traveling as "Place" is a portable command.



Place... Days 1 & 2

Place... Days 3 & 4

Place....Days 5 & 6

Delighted with this classes commitment to learning this correctly. You can do this and be ready for next weeks class which is Week 4 - the Sit/Stay.

Happy Training,

Jan

Exercise Finish - 1 step only

Remember that the Exercise Finish is set up with correct hand positions before you take a heeling step.

Here's the correct sequence:

1) Ready position,

2) Left, Right...(hand positions only here no foot movement yet and keep your knees soft not locked)

3) "Dogs name" BEFORE you step off as your left hand is positioned for a Sit correction..

4) As you step off..say "Heel",

5) Then say "Sit" as your left heel touches the ground.

6) As your right foot closes, you do a Sit Correction.. The Sit Correction is with your thumb upwards to the sky (thumbs up) and the Sit correction is done instantly. Collar should 'zing or pop' if you've done it correctly.

7) If your dog sits correctly, instead of a Sit correction, very soft stroke on dog's right side of face with quiet praise.

 Repeat a couple of hundred times...it gets easier.


 Jan

How to build your Negative Space

Negative Space:

Purchase PVC pipe and 4 elbow joints. Cut two pieces of PVC 22” and two 28”. Use PVC that is no more than 1” or less than ½” in diameter. Best to glue the elbows to the 22”pieces and leave the 28” pieces free, then put it all together and VOILA...you have a negative space. This facilitates carrying it around as well as storage.