Category: Puppies!

Heeling Tips & Tricks #41 DIG Adding Turns – Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE – Perfect Heeling

41 dig turns
DIG adding Turns
 
How to TEACH & PEFECT Heeling

 
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DIG Work adding Turns Closer to Barrier

Reminders – DIG is an introduction into proofing and can determine how your dog responds to pressure. It is teaching your dog how to be successful when faced with new locations, environments, and or people. In addition, it is teaching your dog that distractions both visual and auditory, are a rewarding cue to your dog.

Pay close attention to discover what your dogā€™s threshold is in a variety of environments and situations! The threshold or distance from a distraction your dog can remain focused may vary. Some dogs work comfortably 10 feet from a distraction while others need more distance or space.

Working with distractions will help your dog become confident and will enable him to concentrate and successfully do his ā€œjobā€ and focus on you in many different situations or new locations. After all, the ā€œringā€ is a continually changing new environment.

This skill cannot be rushed! Work on the DIG skill a few minutes in every training session.

DIG ~ Introduce Turns

  • First, your dog needs to know turning concept.
  • Start heeling out of play.Ā  RESIST the habit of always starting your heeling with your dog in an SIT!
  • Heel forward and release your dog as you are turning. The idea is to make the heads up in the turn desirable.
  • Always video to check your timing as well as your dogā€™s focus.
  • Signs of barrier stress of lack of confidence can include: your dog dropping his head, changing his gait, ears going back, his mouth closed or opened, etc.Ā  Basically any sign that he knows you are approaching something.
  • Reminder: your dog may not actually LOOK at the barrier. In most cases a dog gives ā€œPREā€ signs before actually looking. Your job is to be able to see the PRE signs!
  • Please take your time when teaching and training DIG to your dog.

Only when your dog is confident should you heel closer to an object or barrier. As your dog becomes confident with heeling towards barriers of all types, start practicing different heeling paces towards the objects. Continue to build your dogā€™s confidence by building on success!

HOW do you know when your dog is confident? Your dog will exhibit an increase in focus. In other words, he will increase his intensity or look harder at you. If you are having a hard time seeing this, ask a friend to watch or better yet video yourself and see the difference in your dogā€™s posture and focus. ONLY when you see this increase intensity should you move to the next step and move closer to the barrier.

Use a consequence, like the ā€œU-Missed Itā€ Game, when your dog is not giving 100% effort or loses attention. Tell your dog to ā€œget itā€ when he is not looking or has gotten distracted. The second he looks back or focuses on you, start to tease him and say something like ā€œha ha you missed it.ā€ Be theatrical with the toy or treat but DO NOT let him have it. Pretend to eat the treat or play by yourself with the toy. Repeat the skill where he lost focus. Reward him when he offers you more effort and focus.

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šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 42Ā  Left Leg TEST!

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #40 – Bump Up Serpentine Drill – Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE – Perfect Heeling

40 bump up serp
Bump Up Serp Drill
 
How to TEACH & PEFECT Heeling

 
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Bump It UP Serpentine Drill
Once you have taught the Serpentine and circles, you can start to introduce Serpentines

When training, remember to:

  • Use your games and rewards DURING training to keep values high and focus intense when practicing.
  • Think more about training and REWARDING the individual skills rather than just doing a sign.
  • Cones are DISTRACTIONS! Add in DIG work to the training once your dog is confident with the skills AND in new locations.
  • Play with your dog between reps and keep training FUN!
  • With your dog in heel, start heeling slowly in the serpentine.Ā  Ā Randomly pick one of the cones to do a complete circle around and then go back to doing the serpentine.
  • Add in a lot of rewarding and playing, then fall back into heeling in the serpentine.

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šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 41 DIG Work adding TURNS

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #39 – BOX Drill – Circles – Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE – Perfect Heeling

39 box drill
Box Drill Circle Work
 
How to TEACH & PEFECT Heeling

 
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BOX DRILL – Circles Teaching ā€“ This is a great way to start adding circles to this set up.

  • Begin by placing 4 objects such as cones or chairs about 6-10 ft. apart in a box layout or pattern.
  • Start each repetition with your dog moving into heel position from play. NO SITS or starts for a sit!
  • Practice at a slow pace if needed to ensure your dog is confident.
  • Start by rewarding your dog every time you do one turn.Ā  Release your dog, upward either during or after the turn.Ā  Doing so will build and maintain DESIRE and Focus during turns.
  • Work on all right circles or all lefts circles at a time. Do not mix turns together at this stage.
  • Be sure to cue your dog for each turn and use reining the leash as needed.
  • Repetition of circles will help your dog see and recognize your cues for each turn as well as adding duration in heeling.
  • Increase to normal pace ONLY only number of circles after you have built duration and desire at slow pace doing all four turns.
  • If your dog is distracted by the cones/chairs.Ā  Move further form the cones of chairs when teaching and make it easier for your dog to succeed while concentrating on the turn.
  • If your dog is not using his rear end on left turns.Ā  Practice more Rear End Awareness found in the Must Have tab.Ā  Make sure your dog is offering the motion before progressing with turns.Ā  Also, use reining the leash to help teach your dog the cue.
  • If your dog is dropping his head on right turns. Play more games in the middle of the turn. The Thumb Touch found in the Must Haves tab, is also a great tool to teach heads up on turns. TT in the middle of the turn.

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šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 40 BUMPING UP Serps

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #38 – DIG Right Turns – Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE – Perfect Heeling

38 Dig right
Right Turn DIG

How to TEACH & PEFECT Heeling

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REMINDER – DIG= DISTRACTIONS INITIATE GAMESĀ 

Often a distraction can cause your dog to lose focus, to worry, or even create a negative experience for your dog.Ā  However, distracting situations are a perfect time for you to turn a possible ā€œnegativeā€ experience for your dog into a ā€œpositiveā€ one.Ā  If trained appropriately, not only will your dog become more confident, but he will ā€œtry harderā€ and learn to focus more intensely on you no matter what the situation.

DIG is an introduction into proofing and can determine how your dog responds to pressure. It is teaching your dog how to be successful when faced with new locations, environments, and or people. In addition, it is teaching your dog that distractions both visual and auditory, are a rewarding cue to your dog.

This skill cannot be rushed! Work on the DIG skill a few minutes in every training session.

DIG ~ Introduce RIGHT Turn

  • BEFORE training the DIG with the RIGHT Turn, make sure your dog needs to know the RIGHT turn concept.
  • Start heeling out of play.Ā  RESIST the habit of always starting your heeling with your dog in an SIT!
  • Heel forward staying at least 10-12ā€ laterally from barrier.
  • As you do the RIGHT Turn, reward and release your dog DURING the turn.Ā  The idea is to make the heads up in the turn desirable.
  • PRE signs of a head drop/lose of focus, can include: your dog dropping his head, changing his gait, ears going back, his mouth closed or opened, etc. Basically any sign that he knows you are approaching something.Ā  Your dog may not actually LOOK at the barrier.Ā  In most cases a dog gives ā€œPREā€ signs before actually looking. Your job is to be able to see the PRE signs!
  • Please take your time when teaching and training DIG to your dog.

PLEASE add YOUR comments Below!

šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 39 – BOX DRILL Circle work Teaching

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #37 – Left TURN BOXES – Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE – Perfect Heeling

37 left box
LEFT TURN BOX Drill
 
How to TEACH & PEFECT Heeling

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Teaching BOX Drill Left Turn
 
BOX DRILL ā€“ This is a great way to start adding DURATION and sequence your LEFT turn while still building DESIRE.Ā Ā 

  • Begin by placing 4 objects such as cones or chairs about 6-10 ft. apart in a box layout or pattern.
  • Start each repetition with your dog moving into heel position from play.Ā  NO SITS or starts for a sit!
  • Practice at a slow paceĀ BEFORE starting to sequence LEFT Turns in normal heeling pace.
  • Start by rewarding your dog in every turn.Ā  Doing so will build and maintain DESIRE and Focus during turns.
  • Add Duration by doing 2 turns in a row.Ā  Then go to 3 turns with a game and then 4 turns with a reward.Ā  This is also when you will start to RANDOMLY RREWARD.
  • Be sure to cue your dog for each turn and watch your dog’s focus and desire.
  • Repetition of the LEFT turn will help your dog see and recognize your cues for each turn as well as adding duration in heeling.
  • Increase to normal pace ONLY after your dog is focused and confident while doing this drill.
  • If your dog is distracted. move further form the cones etc. and make it easier for your dog to succeed while concentrating on the turn.Ā  Ā This is also telling you to build more desire as well before getting more distractions.
  • If your dog is dropping his head on the LEFT turns, play more games in the middle of the turn.Ā  This will build desire in the turn.

HEELING Training SECRET ā€“ The weight shift is the important part of my turn cue.Ā  When I shift my weight, I want my dog to understand my change of direction the second I start to shift my weight.Ā  Remember that Pivots are the foundations for all turns.Ā  NEVER be afraid to review and refresh Pivot skills on a regular basis throughout the career of your dog.

PLEASE add YOUR comments Below!

šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 38 – DIG Right TURNS Work Teaching

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #36 – DIG Left Turns Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE – Perfect Heeling

36 left dig
DIG Left Turn
 
How to TEACH & PEFECT Heeling

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Ā Teaching DIG LEFT TURN
 
REMINDER – DIG= DISTRACTIONS INITIATE GAMESĀ 
 
Often a distraction can cause your dog to lose focus, to worry, or even create a negative experience for your dog.Ā  However, distracting situations are a perfect time for you to turn a possible ā€œnegativeā€ experience for your dog into a ā€œpositiveā€ one.Ā  If trained appropriately, not only will your dog become more confident, but he will ā€œtry harderā€ and learn to focus more intensely on you no matter what the situation.

DIG is an introduction into proofing and can determine how your dog responds to pressure. It is teaching your dog how to be successful when faced with new locations, environments, and or people. In addition, it is teaching your dog that distractions both visual and auditory, are a rewarding cue to your dog.

This skill cannot be rushed! Work on the DIG skill a few minutes in every training session.

DIG ~ Introduce Left Turn

  • BEFORE training the DIG with the Left Turn, make sure your dog needs to know the left turn concept.
  • Start heeling out of play.Ā  RESIST the habit of always starting your heeling with your dog in an SIT!
  • Heel forward staying at least 10-12ā€ laterally from barrier.
  • As you do the Left Turn, reward and release your dog DURING the turn.Ā  The idea is to make the heads up in the turn desirable.
  • PRE signs of a head drop/lose of focus, can include: your dog dropping his head, changing his gait, ears going back, his mouth closed or opened, etc. Basically any sign that he knows you are approaching something.Ā  Your dog may not actually LOOK at the barrier.Ā  In most cases a dog gives ā€œPREā€ signs before actually looking. Your job is to be able to see the PRE signs!
  • Please take your time when teaching and training DIG to your dog.

PLEASE add YOUR comments Below!

šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 37 – Left Box Work Teaching

VisitĀ https://debbyquigley.com/classes/Ā  for Free classes on foundational skills.Ā 

Please leave comments or email me with future article ideas atĀ Ask DebbyQ.Ā 

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #35 – Right Turn Boxes Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE – Perfect Heeling

right box work
Teaching Right Turn Box Work
 
How to TEACH & PEFECT Heeling

Click Image to take you to YouTube Channel
 
 
BOX DRILL ā€“ This is a great way to start adding DURATION and sequence your RIGHT turn while still building DESIRE.Ā Ā 

  • Begin by placing 4 objects such as cones or chairs about 6-10 ft. apart in a box layout or pattern.
  • Start each repetition with your dog moving into heel position from play.Ā  NO SITS or starts for a sit!
  • Practice at a slow paceĀ BEFORE starting to sequence Right Turns in normal heeling pace.
  • Start by rewarding your dog in every turn.Ā  Doing so will build and maintain DESIRE and Focus during turns.
  • Add Duration by doing 2 turns in a row.Ā  Then go to 3 turns with a game and then 4 turns with a reward.Ā  This is also when you will start to RANDOMLY RREWARD.
  • Be sure to cue your dog for each turn and watch your dog’s focus and desire.
  • Repetition of the turn will help your dog see and recognize your cues for each turn as well as adding duration in heeling.
  • Increase to normal pace ONLY after your dog is focused and confident while doing this drill.
  • If your dog is distracted. move further form the cones etc. and make it easier for your dog to succeed while concentrating on the turn.Ā  Ā This is also telling you to build more desire as well before getting more distractions.
  • If your dog is dropping his head on the right turns.Ā  Play more games in the middle of the turn.Ā  This will build desire in the turn.

HEELING Training SECRET ā€“ The weight shift is the important part of my turn cue.Ā  When I shift my weight, I want my dog to understand my change of direction the second I start to shift my weight.Ā  Remember that Pivots are the foundations for all turns.Ā  NEVER be afraid to review and refresh Pivot skills on a regular basis throughout the career of your dog.

PLEASE add YOUR comments Below!

šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 36 – DIG Left Turn

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Please leave comments or email me with future article ideas atĀ Ask DebbyQ.Ā 

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #34 – Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE And Confidence – Perfect Heeling

34 left about
Teaching Left About Turn
 
Learn How to TEACH & PEFECT Heeling

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TEACHING & DESIRE LEFT ABOUT TURN

  • Have your dog on your left side.Ā  No sit, just play and GO!
  • Take a few steps forward in slow motion, and then start to execute the LEFT ABOUT turn using leash reining to ensure great REA.
  • When teaching, release your dog at different points in the about turn to keep the dog guessing and build desire for the dog to keep his head up throughout the turn.
  • If your dog loses focus or drops his head during the turn, reward MORE OFTEN IN the turn.
  • Make sure the dog is looking up and watching you at all times when making the turn.
  • ALWAYS play and interact with the dog before trying the repetition again.
  • Watch for your dog dropping the head to drive around the turn.Ā  Release earlier in the turn and/or give slight reining motions upwards to keep the dogā€™s head up and/or maintain the visible treat as above to keep dogā€™s head up.

PLEASE add YOUR comments Below!

šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 35 – BOX Drill – Right Turns

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Heeling Tips & Tricks SPECIAL – Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE And Confidence – Perfect Heeling

heel special
Teaching & BuildingĀ  DESIRE And Confidence

Special Christmas – New Locations
 
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New LOCATIONS are an important part of showing success! Since each ā€œshowā€ is a new location for your dog, make sure to train in new places on a regular basis. Even if you train at the show location, the atmosphere becomes different with new dogs, the extra noise, and the added emotional ā€œhighā€ that goes along with shows.

A new environment adds an additional element to any skill or exercise and actually creates a new experience for your dog. Train in new places so often that arriving and training at new locations becomes common and easy for your dog.

Commit to training in new locations at least a couple times each week. The more often you train in new location the more comfortable both you and your dog will be. Decrease your dogā€™s ā€œwarm upā€ time at the new location by beginning a training session immediately upon arriving at any given location. He should be taught to give you maximum effort and his full attention when you request it and respond to your commands and cues at the drop of a hat!

When you start going to new locations or go to a very distractive location like a soccer game, start training with easy exercises such as having your dog perform tricks or games he loves. Over time and as he gets more comfortable being at new locations, begin to add simple skills to the tricks and games. Make interacting with and watching you fun and exciting. As always, keep your training sessions short and motivating.

Over time and with patience, your dog will become a great performer in any new location!!!

PLEASE add YOUR comments Below!

šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – 34 – Serpentine Introduction

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Heeling Tips & Tricks #33 – Drill Serp Work Intro – Teaching & DESIRE! – Perfect Heeling

33 serp intro
Teaching & DESIRE

Intro Serpentine Work

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Serpentine Heeling Drill ā€“ This drill will help teach your dog how to move forward (drive rear) and still be able to slow forward motion with REA.Ā  This drill also starts adding duration to your heeling.

Serpentine Set Up ā€“ Set out 4-5 cones, posts or chairs approximately 6-8 feet apart and in a straight line. When practicing your footwork, keep an even distance as you go between the cones, posts or chairs. Similarly to the footwork for a figure 8, as you move around one post, look at the next post to help you set your line.

Teaching Serpentine Drill

  • Start with your dog on your left side in a sit, stand or from play.Ā  Resist always starting form a sit position.
  • Begin heeling forward in slow pace.
  • While heeling, make gradual turns around each cone. These are rounded turns.
  • Cue your dog for every turn and watch that your dog is maintaining heel position. I.e., your dog should speedup when turning right, and slow down and pivoting his rear end on left turns.
  • Break and play often while and DURING your serpentine training to keep your dogā€™s desire and focus high.
  • Use reining the leash to help your dog learn your cues and how to stay in heel position.
  • As you both perfect serpentine heeling, begin to practice it in a normal pace.
  • Remember, when you present the reinforcement, the dog gets it, there is no luring or holding the treat by your side as you take steps ā€¦ when the treat comes across, the dog gets it.
  • Energize your dog during training so that your dog maintains his attitude and desire to want to do the skill.Ā  Ā Keep sessions short, fun, and full of energy and play.

PLEASE add YOUR comments Below!

šŸ˜‰šŸ¶šŸ¶šŸ¶ *****Next VIDEO – Speical _New Location Use – Building confidence and desire

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