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I imagine that if you're still in the early stages of dropping the ball at every 2 steps of heeling, it would mean a lot of interruptions while the dog runs around with the ball and you would end up losing the "flow" of training the exercise.
How did Bernhard go about this?

I'm not sure what Flinks does, but after the dog has developed enough focus, I continue training "into my arms" and working on grip inbetween bits of heeling. (Not using "out" at all) It seems like there is not a lot of heeling training going on, but I was not disappointed with the rate the dog progressed in heeling.

Dogs seem to learn faster when training sessions are broken up into little segments that alternate between a new task and an old one.

 Quote: anne vaini

...after the dog has developed enough focus, I continue training "into my arms" and working on grip inbetween bits of heeling. (Not using "out" at all) It seems like there is not a lot of heeling training going on, but I was not disappointed with the rate the dog progressed in heeling.

Dogs seem to learn faster when training sessions are broken up into little segments that alternate between a new task and an old one.

I like that suggestion! Seems like a good way to keep up the dog's interest and drive. No chance to get bored repeating the same routine over and over.

Thanks,

Anita

Anne: Please forgive my denseness, but I'm completely not getting it. When you say you don't use "out" are you saying the fus the dog while he is carrying the ball? I use the ball & food to keep the drives up while fussing.

Hi Susan,

You don't want to fus the dog while he is carrying the ball because at that point he has no reason to work for you; he already has his reward in his mouth. When you "out" you need to put the dog immediatley back into drive before you start again. But, if the out was trained properly then the dog should already be in drive as soon as he drops the ball because he knows that the game will continue and that he should be ready. You'll know it when you see it (like when Bernhard picked up Itor's back legs in the video).

Remember that the drive training sessions need to be kept very short, so one success while heeling in drive is really all that is required for a session. There should be very few occassions when you would out a dog and then continue to train heeling in drive because, remember... you don't want to out a dog often at all as this may lead to conflict and mouthyness. I typically reserve my outs (when doing this work) for the times when I was not quick enough with the ball and the dog got it on her own.

You're probably now wondering, if I only am able to do a 2 or 3 minute session how will I ever be able get the dog up to a complete heeling routine in drive? Well it's easy, you start off slow at a basic level and build up. Of course at first you will only be able to get one step before you have to give the dog its drive satisfaction but over time you extend the period that the dog is able to stay focused in drive while doing the work before they get their reward.

The "nitty gritty" of these steps have already been explained very well, but after the focused sit in drive has been acheived and the dog can take one step in proper position while in drive then you just have to build on what you have already accomplished.

I thought Anne was saying SHE fused her dog without outing the ball, which is what I don't understand. I know she must not mean THAT, so, that's why I was asking her for her forgiveness of my denseness!!! What you describe is what I do too!

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I thought Anne was saying SHE fused her dog without outing the ball, which is what I don't understand. I know she must not mean THAT, so, that's why I was asking her for her forgiveness of my denseness!!! What you describe is what I do too!

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You don't want to fus the dog while he is carrying the ball because at that point he has no reason to work for you; he already has his reward in his mouth.

I have been enjoying and learning from this thread. Although I don't compete and don't have a GSD I do train OB in drive. I train mostly how you all describe. I just wanted to mention that I CAN fus my dog while he is carrying the ball/tug because he does not work for the object itself, but the chance to play tug with it with me.

I generally do not do this, and proceed how you all have described, but just to switch things up sometimes, I let him keep the toy, ask for a heel again. He heels looking at me with the object in his mouth. When he is in good position and looking at me with the object in his mouth, I reward by reaching down and playing 'tugs', he never knows when I will do this, just like he never knows when the object will drop in the more usual meathod.

Not suggesting that anyone try this, or that it is usefull at all, just stating that would still be considered teaching a heel in drive, and may be rewarding if your dog lives to tug

I do have the Flinks video and realize it is his tehniques really being discussed at present, just thought I would share..

Cheers,

I don't use the out command, but I do get that ball back

And not to break every rule in the book... I have been known to fuss the dog while it has the ball. I want the dog to learn to work for me whether or not it thinks there is a reward at the end. (and the reward in that situation is playing tug) Like Jennifer does.

It depends a bit on the dog. Some are completely into the chase/catch and others are into the tug/fight part. I have terriers - they're defnitely more into the tug/fight than the chase so it works out pretty slick.

I'm so excited, just ordered the Belgian vest from Leerburg. Now I can't wiat to get it. I've ordered two small orbee balls to go with it, but I also have 2 small gappay balls I should be able to use as well. I really like the orbee balls, but of the two I have (medium size) my dog popped one right in half when he was running back to me with it, and I lost the rope from the other one because it came out when I threw it (I still need a new rope for it). It is Arkanes favorite ball though he doesn't 'out' it quite as fast as he does his other balls - he likes it a little too much!

Thank you all so much - this site is just amazing! My dog is now beginning to look great (happy and focussed) while heeling and although we still have a lot to work to do, I know at last we are on the right track and best of all, he is enthusiastic about doing it!

That's great to hear, Brooke. You should have someone take some photos - you'll probably be amazed at how happy both you and the dog look.

Keep it up!