June 10, 2013

I'm training my dog for competition obedience and he is trained through utility. He anticipates recalls when my back is turned and breaks when I leave, putting him back in place makes him worse. Do you have any ideas?

Full Question:
I own a golden retriever that has been trained through utility but is not ring ready. He is a high boy that anticipates his recalls when my back is turned. He fidgets at the set up point and explodes when I walk across the expanse of the ring. Putting him back into place only makes this much worse. Any ideas?

Thank you
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
You need to go back to basics and work on distance one increment at a time. I would leave him, turn my back and then go back and feed him in place, then two steps, then one step, then 3 steps. Fixing issues like this always takes longer than working thru it slowly the first time. I would also not work any recalls at all from this set up for a LONG time. Don't think about recalls at all, only stability.

If need be, have a light line on him and have someone behind him simply hold the line so if he breaks he can't get to you.

It really helps if dogs like this know and understand markers and touch pads. I use a touch pad to teach a sit, down and stand stay.

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Cindy Rhodes

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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