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May 16, 2012

What do you think about using a lure when building muscle memory for downs, sits, and other commands? Do you name the command when you have the response you want OR would you name it and work out those kinks with the cue in your

Full Question:
Hi Cindy,

I was watching Michael Ellis' Focused Heeling DVD and it raised a question for me. In many pet obedience situations, we try to fade the lure as quickly as possible. I understand the reasoning for maintaining the lure for muscle memory, especially in heel work. I was wondering, in competitive training, if you prefer to do the same when building muscle memory for downs, sits, and other commands. I could see the benefit in the repetition for building better responses, then naming when you have a response that you find preferable OR would you name it and work out those kinks with the cue in your "correction phase"?
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
How to do this is covered in The Power of Training Dogs with Food. Sit, down, stand, and engagement are covered in this video.

I'd also recommend Advanced Concepts in Motivation.

Personally, I wouldn’t name a behavior until you love how the dog is performing it with the gesture. If I have to use corrections to work out the "kinks", then I haven't been fair to the dog or done a good job teaching what I expect.

Cindy Rhodes

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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