It was nice outside for a change so this afternoon I took Yote outside to work on channeling his bouncing into something worthwhile....Or at least less likely to knock me down or rip my sweater. He seems to think my arms are supposed to go in his mouth

It took about 5 clicks for him to figure out what I wanted him to do and within a few minutes he was consistently jumping over the broomstick between two chairs.

He did take a self made break in the middle of it to tear around the yard at full speed for about 10 laps, I think he just needed to get the willies out!

I also worked with him on putting his paws on an upside down shallow rubbermaid, just to work on "place" skills.

My plan is to chain the jump over the broomstick to the "feet on rubbermaid" as a finish and maybe add as we go to get some kind of routine going.

Any suggestions for other additions to this that might actually serve some purpose later on, especially since I finally got the nerve up to contact our local schutzhund club and might go out to meet them this weekend.

We also worked on sit stays, but I still have to walk backwards or he will break it. We will get there eventually.

I also would like to start working on a real heel, but it is something I have never been able to really get the beginning stages down.

I worked on luring him to my side and he sits automatically, but he make no connections to his position being the point, rather than the sit.

When I try to take a step while keeping him in the position using a treat to lure him he just starts bouncing and trying to grab my sleeve.

This dog is so smart and so quick to learn, I just need to keep working on channeling his energy and increasing his ADD focus.

Did I mention that after a walk, 45 minutes of really active training and his laps around the yard he came inside and is still not relaxed

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

I also would like to start working on a real heel, but it is something I have never been able to really get the beginning stages down.

I worked on luring him to my side and he sits automatically, but he make no connections to his position being the point, rather than the sit.

When I try to take a step while keeping him in the position using a treat to lure him he just starts bouncing and trying to grab my sleeve.

Try the muscle memory stuff Michael Ellis does. Their nose is up, lured by the treat, and the body is straight forward next to you. I would mark it in sitting at first and then after a step or two. Maggie gets it now for short periods (20 or so steps), I haven't even started pairing a command with her yet.

I am a complete novice, someone else will have better ideas.

Should his shoulder be actually touching my leg? I just tried to get him in position again without any luck.

I was catching myself moving into position which is backwards

On the plus side we just came in from outside and he was bouncing over that broom like a pogo stick! I need to take some video, he isn't so much jumping as literally bouncing up from all four feet.

It was great until he took a flying leap over the back of one of the chairs it was across

Also, I see that most people heel their dogs on the left, if we ever do start competing is it required they be on the left side?

I have been putting him on my right because I am left handed.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

Should his shoulder be actually touching my leg? I just tried to get him in position again without any luck.

Try it against a wall or fence. I guess it helps straighten them out, and then he might not be touching your leg, but in position. I don't mark until the front feet are down and the nose is straight up pointing at the sky. I also kind of keep the treat secured in my hand, but my hand on the snout to keep the feet down and no hopping. Then release the treat after the mark.

 Quote: Marcia Blum

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

Should his shoulder be actually touching my leg? I just tried to get him in position again without any luck.

Try it against a wall or fence.

Ditto on that.

Thats what I did with Tucker Jen.

if not against a wall, I did it between the couch and coffee table.
However, I didn't lure him, i let him know i had the treat but held it in my right hand and crossed my arm across my stomach to the left side where he was. Had him sit. took a step forward and then released treat from hand. At first I didn't care if he was nosing my hand to try to get the treat to drop, i just cared that he was by my side. And I just kept extending the # of steps before i dropped the treat (well, i marked and dropped of course)
When you say you're luring Yote, to you mean you have the treat in your right hand (he's on your right you said) and you have it in front of his nose to make him take a step?
I find if i keep the treat in my hand and keep my hand closed and a my arm tight against my body Tucker didn't lure ahead trying to get the treat. he stayed at my side becasue that's where my hand was that held the treat.

there, clear as mud...right?

If he's touching your leg thats technically crowding. To teach him to heel in competition, it really takes a lot of time rewarding him just for looking to your face before you actually move, and then its a whole lot of one step to three steps.