I have an 18 month old female GSD. I have recently started teaching articles off the track. When she indicates on the article she tries to always face me when she downs. I tried to help her lie straight by guiding her body down with my hands, but this didn't seem very effective. I am up close to her while teaching this. Any suggestions?

Put the food reward under the article but she isnt allowed to get it untill you allow it/uncover it.

Putting food under the articles is not a good idea if you are going to compete in schutzhund. The dog will start nosing the articles looking for the food and you’ll lose points. And if you put compulsion into stopping the nosing behavior you may cause some avoidance to the articles. In fact I like to have my dog “show me” and nose the article if I ask, then they get the reinforcement from me. The articles should be a safe and pleasant place for the dog; you may want to include some obedience in your tracking training at a later time.

If you are teaching article indication off the track, of course the dog is going to turn towards you looking for the reinforcement. There is no straight position, make it fun. And you shouldn’t guide the dog with your hands; the dog must make the proper movement to obtain the reinforcement. You shouldn’t have to be close either, throw them out a ways, make it a game. If she is downing on the article give the reinforcement. When you include tracking you’ll see the dog will lie straight. Make sure you are a little forward of its head before you reinforce the behavior, this will help keep the dog straight too. Find an experienced trainer that can see the overall picture and help you.

Thanks, I will try these things.