Seeing as how this thread pertains to heeling, have a question regarding my 10 month old female GSD. She does pretty good heeling, slow fast and turns, but can't get her to set right at my side, she always winds up a couple of feet behind me, any suggestions.

Owen-
I don't know how your training the heel....hopefully with pos motivation. If this is the case only reward when she is in the correct position. If she falls behind be animated and get her drive higher to keep up....
After she knows the command you can introduce corrections. When trained in drive and you add corrections properly the dog will stay in drive. Of course the dog has to have the drive to begin with but I don't know your dog. The dogs drive can also be built.
Remember very frequent rewards when she is correct.
Pat

You may be slowing down to much, or giving some signals with your body before you stop, and the dog is anticipating it. Often times people will slow down to let the dog catch up. All this will do is cause the dog to slow down more. Keep it happy and reward the dog for sitting in the correct position.

Cut up some hotdogs in small pieces, put them in your mouth (make sure the dog sees this) and with the dog sitting at your left side spit a piece to him.
Use the "heel" command, begin walking spitting to him every 10 ft till he gets the idea.Gradually increase the distance before rewarding.
He will never take his eyes off your face and will stay glued to your side. Gross, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> but it works. You have to have good aim and he has to be a good catch.
Otherwise try some pieces in your left hand that he has to keep up and push at your hand for.
You could also use a ball under your chin if that is his preferred reward.
Erin

Deanna, First of all Im still trying to correct the phrase I made 2 post ago.I meant to say "You CAN NOT teach a dog to heel in silence with an occasional, good boy". I too train dogs on a regular basis from a local rescue, some are biters and some are very submisive.All dogs are different and training dogs is an art. You have to be able to read a dog and adjust your training to the dog.When you train rescue dogs are you on a 6 lesson schedule? Im not trying to be mean and what I said is not a cop out. For you to simply say "that training is based on pain" is wrong.Its based on getting attention and keeping it through motivation. My dogs I train are happy "Tails waggin" and everything.I said training through motivation works great too if someone is educated and is motivated.As a dog trainer that is not what you find coming to you.Most dogs that come in rule the roost from owners whio let their dogs run wild. If you beleive pure motivation trains a dog then we should just hug and kiss are dogs on the front porch and we could put the underground fence people out of business. As for Itor, do you think you could handle that dog?

Chuck, Deanna,
Maybe I should try gum instead of hotdogs!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

David, No I am not deluded enough to think I could handle Itor. I also don't believe you can "train" any dog in 6 lessons. Also, I think your definition of training and mine differ quite a bit.

I also never, ever said PURE motivation.

Erin, Don't switch to gum, just think if you miss.... I can see you trying to get gum out of your dog's hair with peanut butter.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Deanna,I think you would be suprised at what can be accomplished in six visits to someones house when corrections,motivation,timing,and consisitancy are applied correctly.They can be trained to heelwith an automatic sit,down,sit stay,down stay,recall with a sit front and be very happy all at the same time. As far as the "pure motivation" Im only going by what you said when you said "that kind of training is based on pain" Im just saying it is not.I use tons of motivation,every correction is followed with lots of praise.Im in the business of training dogs and training people to be able to productively continue working with their dogs.I make certain the dogs stay happy and look happy and the owners feel good about it,if I didnt I wouldnt stay in business.I think your comment about your definition of training dogs is different than mine was suppose to be an insult I guess.Sorry you feel that I must be some kind of bad person that you are above.

my dog is ok when he is on a leash, but as soon as i take off it off, he would take off. How do you correct him from doing that?

Hello:

Not to be a devils advocate, but you can do all that in just 6 lessons? I must suck because I've been working with my dog forever and he listens most of the time, but not 100% of the time so that is why we continue to train and try different methods (motivation).

I bet most people at my training club suck too, because they take a couple of years to put a "1" on a dog? I've bought the tapes, been to seminars, took classes, went to training for years. I can't do it in 6 lessons and I don't know anyone else who can??? Have we all been duped????