I was wondering how many people on here have trained a really small dog in obedience to really high standards- like precision heeling- I mean Mondio ring level precision.
I have a 8lb terrier that I am trying to train to this level.

Cindy (& Ed) just got a border terrier a few months back & is marker training her. If you have specific questions...you might consider e-mailing her.

I've had many small terriers including two Borders. They're still dogs and the marker training takes a lot of the guesswork about leash corrections with a small dog out of the equation.
With the little guys a lot of the basics can even be done on a table.
Ditto on e-mailing Cindy though!

sounds good. some of the tips that Michael Ellis gives that makes marker training a dream for a larger dog dont work as well on a smaller dog. One of my main problems is that my dog can see the correction coming a mile away when im working in the proofing stage, because shes so short. Also in precision heeling, she cant see past my knee when it flexes even if Im leaning forward a little...well its just harder because she cant see me the whole time..I guess and ecollar might help, Ill also have to start wearing spandex shorts or shirts or something :P

 Quote: Mary Roach

sounds good. some of the tips that Michael Ellis gives that makes marker training a dream for a larger dog dont work as well on a smaller dog. One of my main problems is that my dog can see the correction coming a mile away when im working in the proofing stage, because shes so short. Also in precision heeling, she cant see past my knee when it flexes even if Im leaning forward a little...well its just harder because she cant see me the whole time..I guess and ecollar might help, Ill also have to start wearing spandex shorts or shirts or something :P

I've trained many large and small dogs (and in fact I own both "real" and toy breeds). Maybe minor adjustments, but all in all, marker training is basically the same for both.


Are you using a touchpad?

I'm not clear on what "corrections" are telegraphed.... ?



http://leerburg.com/flix/searchResults.php?searchfor=heeling

http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=235

yes I am using a touchpad, we have just gotten the part where I teach the watch me so we can start moving away from the wall. I started Marker training when I got her but I only bought the DVD's last summer so I taught some thigns wrong and have to go back and redo them, but I found that sometimes she can see the leash correction coming and responds to it before she gets it. For example when she breaks a sit or down. It was my understanding that in this circumstance you want to correct in a motion that incourages the right position (ie a downward jerk when they break the down?) Now I could be doing this wrong because shes the first dog I do this with.
anyways, she started out as kind of a hectic dog and I had to learn how to train her in drive but still have her kind of calm and focused because she would just flip and out start running and jumping all over the place whenever there was food involved. So working on sitting, downs and watch me has helped.
PS we have the Basic Dog Obedience, power of food, power of tug and focused heeling DVD's so far.

What am I missing when you say the dog can see your corrections a mile away?

The size of the dog should have nothing to do with "seeing your corrections".That just sounds like poor timing to me.

Old school training with a small dog we put a dowel leash clip on the end of a dowel rod for reach but, as Connie said, "Marker training is the same for both. I agree with that 100%...and I'm 6'2".

well when I am working on distance for the sit and down stay I have been keeping a lead on her and giving her something like a level 1 or maybe even .5 correction (shes a soft dog) should I be returning to her to administer correction and not giving it through the leash?

Get rid of the leash and marker train her...seriously !

 Quote: Mary Roach

well when I am working on distance for the sit and down stay I have been keeping a lead on her and giving her something like a level 1 or maybe even .5 correction (shes a soft dog) should I be returning to her to administer correction and not giving it through the leash?

 Quote: Bob Scott

Get rid of the leash and marker train her...seriously !

Yes. I'm thinking you want to sit down and watch Power of Food, which you have.

I'd do the Redo you mentioned before carrying on any further. ("I only bought the DVD's last summer so I taught some thigns wrong and have to go back and redo them, ")

I started with the DVD that came before Power of Food. It's inexpensive, and it details the theory and the nuts-n-bolts thoroughly for anyone pretty new to marker work.

Free preview and actual DVD:

http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=17

http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=522

But you might find that re-watching Power of Food from beginning to end does it, too.