If you hold the ball in the left hand how are you supposed to hold the leash and "defend" yourself from a jumping/crazy dog????

By the time you are training the dog to heel in drive the "jumping craziness" should already be well under control and the dog heels with the anticipation that you are going to eventually release the ball.

 Quote: chris hruby

If you hold the ball in the left hand how are you supposed to hold the leash and "defend" yourself from a jumping/crazy dog????

I know the problem . I did what Sefi advised. He says he uses different methods, so he gave me this one, credited to his grandfather. I'll just give you a quick idea of it. The dog and handler should know the use of voice markers.

It's based on the fact that in the heel the dog is performing a few actions, but his grandpa taught one purpose for the dog and that is to sit beside the handler and to draw the rest from there.

So to start (he advised treats rather than toys), put the dog in a sit (this assumes the dog knows the sit and will hold that position for a while). Then stand near the dog in the ideal position for the heel. Encourage focus, treat while saying heel. Repeat a lot.

Next stage same thing only say heel first, tap your thigh, then treat.

Next stage, do the same thing and after a couple of treats, take a half step forward or to your right, tapping your thigh and saying heel.

Almost verbatim: "If that movement doesn't get him to the exact heel position, repeat the command again, and again, marking and treating any improvement of the position and when he makes it to the exact position you mark and treat a few times.
Remember there are no NO'S in that drill, only YES.
Then you can move again or end the exercise according to your feeling of the dog."

That's basically it, later adding movement to the sides, left, right, backward, forward. He emphasized to go slowly and not rush the steps.

Edited by Sandy Moore (06/15/2007 12:13 PM)
Edit reason: I have to say that this method is what got Lear completely animated about the heel, yet his jumping up to get the treat stopped!