My pup is coming to me consistently on command now. I am at the point where I have added the sit to the command, which he does sit when he gets to me.

The problem is this: when he sits, its not right up close to me and sometimes its off to the side and not directly in front. Need advice.

Thanks

How old is the pup and what is his motivation to come to you?

Pup is 6 months. He was originally trained with food for like the first few days till he learned the command, now he get the automatic correction which is working as he trys to beat the pop everytime.

As of two weeks ago i started i on the building drive tape so now his motivation is the ball on a string/sometimes a tug.

I just want him to sit in closer to me and straight in front rather than on the side. The problem is not the motivation as he "comes" with no problem and comes quickly at that, he just sits to the side sometimes and other times not close to me as i would like.

Maybe he's afraid he's going to get corrected with a pop on the chain.
ISN'T -6- MONTHS KINDA YOUNG TO BE USING COMPULSION. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I'm asking because I don't understand your reasoning/I'm learning from the more experience trainer/handlers.

Thanks for understanding I'm learning.

Is he sitting on an angle anticipating the heel command? Or is he just sloppy? At six months I wouldn't sweat it to much.

I would just work on the recall right now still work with food as that is a good thing to use right now to get the closeness at that age, i want to come is good all the other things can wait ,free up the dog a little you have lots of time to do the heavy stuff if you need to . Have fun Peter

Sounds like you want to compete this dog, not just make a pet, so my first recommendation would be to quit using corrections for the recall. Work the recall as two separate and distinct exercises: the first is the long distance, high speed recall. Have someone hold him (or down him IF he'll stay), go at least 50 paces away, call him and as he approaches, throw the ball behind you, or between your legs if you're brave. In other words, no formal front - just build speed and love of the recall. The formal front you should work from extremely close distances, 3-10'. A couple ways to shape the straight front WITHOUT using compulsion - one is to only reward the pup when he is straight, ignore (not punish) efforts that are not straight. Eventually, he'll notice the association between the reward and his position and he'll get more conscious of his body. Another way, which worked fabulously well with my first dog, is to use two boards laid on their edge (nail on some blocks on either side so they will stay upright and not fall over) and put them in a V-shape so that the pup is channelled into a correct, straight position passively. He really can't get it wrong. You can graduate to having the pup sit off to the side of the V and showing him how he should line himself up and come down the channel. Eventually you can shorten the boards from 4' long to only 18" long, maybe smaller. The pup learns without stress how to line up with you.

Lee posted;

 Quote:

Another way, which worked fabulously well with my first dog, is to use two boards laid on their edge (nail on some blocks on either side so they will stay upright and not fall over) and put them in a V-shape so that the pup is channelled into a correct, straight position passively. He really can't get it wrong. You can graduate to having the pup sit off to the side of the V and showing him how he should line himself up and come down the channel. Eventually you can shorten the boards from 4' long to only 18" long, maybe smaller. The pup learns without stress how to line up with you.

Lee, I really like the method you posted. Fanni coming in straight most times. I do not reward unless she's directly in front. Sometimes it looks good other times she's a little off center. The boards guiding her in may help her be consistent.

Lee posted, The pup learns without stress.
I think more trainers and owners should heed those -3- words. LEARNS WITHOUT STRESS <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I train the sit front on a six foot lead.Sit the dog six feet away, hold the leash against my hip with one hand and hold treat under my belt line with the other hand,call dog and start walking backwards,when the dogs nose gets to the treat I stop walking and the dog gets the treat when it sits.The dog learns to come in close and it stays straight because it's moving forward.Works pretty good for me.

Hello:

I was taught the recall the same as the above poster, with a few minor exceptions. I put the lead in between my legs and while walking backwards (kind of awkard at first). When the dog comes in for the sit, if he isn't quite in the right place all you have to do is slightly adjust yourself and give a slight tug on the lead, this will bring him closer to you. Also, the food comes from the mouth and not the hand.

Hope this helps,
Brandon