Right, the first one. I'd use it more during the training session to help make the attention clearer to her when you are asking for it. A little focus, release to check around. A little focus, release.......

Ah. Okay, awesome.

I have never used it for more then to show that training is over. But, I will use it while training and see how that works.

I can see the value in that.

Thanks.

Ideally, you would end the training with some play.

Is that a prong in the video?

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

Is that a prong in the video?

Yes. It is.

It looks a little loose and floppy to me, they work best IMO when they are snug and above the normal collar.

If it was me, and the dog was this new to training with me.
I would be using lots of treats and have an upbeat fun demeanor for holding the heeling position, maybe even a small one every step in the beginning, a target stick and marker training is one way to do it.

I try not to introduce corrections and distractions like kids and other dogs until I am sure they know for certain what I want from them.

On the other hand for simple loose leash walking, I throw the prong on and let it do it's job.

Understood. Realistically the dog only trains this way about 4-6 minutes a day.
She does another 10-15 minutes of treat training in the house and outside.
Then she gets to get a relaxed walk to the park by my house 2 blocks away and there we play tug, fetch and just run around until she feels like stopping. Normally about 15 minutes.

The heel training is short. She gets to be a dog 99% of her day.

The prong is lose. I hardly put much pressure on it and use my pinky and ring finger to add and release presser.
I ride and train Horses, so I am well aware of what 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2 pounds of presser feels like in my hands.
I finagle the prong much like I would if I was trying to get a horse to back, side pass, or come onto the bit using rein aids.

In this video the dog never gave me over 1.5 pounds of negative presser.

Thanks for responses.

David.

What training methods do you use, Dave, with your personal dogs and in your business? Koehler?

Are you familiar with marker training?

There are many free videos and articles on this website The release word (marker) is explained in detail.

Yeah I am pretty new to marker training. Been using it for a while on rehab Horses. But, did not start trying to fully apply it to dogs until more resent.
I do give the dog a break command at the end of their heel training. I did forget in that video though. The camera freaks me out. Lol.

I am in the process of getting Ed's DvD on it, and I have heard the 45 minute Pod cast a few times.

I guess in the past we have used a lot of treats and markers to train agility and tracking.

As far as my training style. I know a bit about Koehler training. It could be called that loosely I guess. But, I am not a named or registered Koehler trainer.
I teach heel, sit, down, sit-stay, down-stay, come. Down in motion, sit in motion. On and off lead.
I then apply this to personal protection. The bite work is not affiliated with any Bite-Sport association.

I train for personal dog owners and sometimes do open to the public basic dog shows that have a OB class and a Bite class like hardest hitting dog, hang time, out in motion ect ect.

I spend some time at a family friends Schutzhund Training Club. But that is in my personal time and also has no affiliation with anything I do with peoples dogs.

Hope that answered a few of your questions.

It did, thank you. I think you'll benefit greatly from Michael Ellis DVDs. There is much more to marker training than just releasing at the end of a session. The more you break it down the better the result.