I train for long distance downs and sits all over the place, not always in the direction of coming to me.

I've had the same problem you have had with a recall from a down. If I recall to often they anticipate and will break. So I do a recall no more then 1 out of 3 times.

The dogs are masters of anticipation and reading the most subtle body cues sometimes.....LOL

Well, I let that goofy inner child out to play this weekend and we had a great time. Hubby had him so jacked up at one point I could have said godzilla and I’m sure he’d of climbed a 20 ft wall to get to me. I did as you suggested Betty and threw the ball between my legs but all three times he went to the right. I wonder if he could feel the fear emitting from me. I couldn’t stop picturing my knees twisted in a direction that wasn’t part of our original design. I had my plush snowsuit on so I wasn’t afeered of the flips, just those darn knees. So I pulled out a tug the next day and we just partied when he got there. No downs at all – him or me. He’s got a great sparkle in eyes and a lot more spring in his step so I think we’re on the road to recovery.

And yes, I’ve been “downing” him all over the place too. He’s pretty good on the send out (1 sometimes 2 strides then flat down) as there’s usually a ball or a retrieve item that he gets to whip back to me. I’ve never downed him coming back with these, just going out. His walking downs are really good - I’ve got some body language I need to clean up though.

The more I think about it, down, down, down. No wonder he’s hesitating on the “come”. When/if I do re-introduce it to the “come”, I’ll do like Reggie has suggested and walk up to him, reward him and have a party there. I never did train it this way and it makes total sense. I might even change the name of the command. Heir… is that pronounced “Hire” or “Hair” or is it like inheriting a million bucks from a relative…. “err”?

I know that fear! When we first got Doc I was doing recalls with him. He's a big solid boy and all I could think of as he was barreling towards me, was oh my god, he's going to hit me like a train. LOL

For some reason the way his tongue hangs out the side and the look of glee in his eyes really made me think it was his plan.

But it does sound like you got some of your speed back!

It takes a while to get the timing on throwing the ball. You pretty much have to wait to the last second while every instinct of self survival is telling you to throw the darn thing!

But thankss for bringing this up, my recalls have lost some speed and I need to go back to basics for a little bit.

Wonder how much I could sell the video for???? LOL

Heir is pronounced pretty much the same way as in English. There is site somewhere that says the words for you, let me see if I can dig up the link.

 Quote: Betty Waldron

I train for long distance downs and sits all over the place, not always in the direction of coming to me.

I've had the same problem you have had with a recall from a down. If I recall to often they anticipate and will break. So I do a recall no more then 1 out of 3 times.

The dogs are masters of anticipation and reading the most subtle body cues sometimes.....LOL

Betty,
That's because during training you're as subtle as a graduate from Clown College.

At least Doc doesn't take you waterskiing on dry land anymore.....

Ain't that the truth?

Tell the truth though, you miss me! I've shown you feats in dog training that you never thought possible!

 Quote:

At least Doc doesn't take you waterskiing on dry land anymore

Now *that's* funny!

That’s too funny guys but so true of many of us I’m sure. Watching the athletic ability of these powerful, majestic creatures often has me feeling like a carnival buffoon. I’ve learned more from my dogs than I’ll ever hope to teach them. Their ability to interact with us and each other just floors me – the gentle touches, subtle looks – an incredible communication system. They pick up the smallest of cues from us as well and in turn respond accordingly - like you say, we need to be cognizant of all times.

As well Betty, I can’t water or snow ski but it’s a tad icy up here and there’s a fine art to that land skiing. I’m sure you’d be a dog training icon in this neck of the woods if you’ve got that one mastered.