I'll be getting a puppy on the 23rd of this month, so I've been reviewing all of my Leerburg videos. I love the Competition Heeling video method for teaching focus (food from the mouth) and I want to start this practice young, so the puppy will develop a focused Watch.
I've noticed in the video when Tom is working with his dog, every time he says her (?) name, she goes to front, lays her head right against him and gives him intense focus.
Here's the question: Has anyone done this, and does it dilute the quality of the command if you use the dogs name for this?
I don't know if I want a family pet to be coming in close and giving focus every time its name is spoken, then again, when I say a dogs name I generally say it because I want its attention and this (front and intense focus on the face) is certainly "getting its attention".
Will daily repetition dilute the sharpness of this behavior when I want to use it in an obedience trial?
steve strom Webboard User Reg: 03-17-2006
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I don't use my dogs name in formal ob other than as a que to begin. Chaos, ready? The rest of the time its just the command, sit, look, whatever it is I'm doing.
The intense focus is more from intermittently rewarding them,making them want it more. I also like to use a casual command for the non-formal times. Something like 'Heel' is formal ob, and 'With me' is just walking. Formal ob is always cue'd with words and your body language with a beginning and an end, I say "done", so they learn when its time to work and time to relax.
What Steve said!
I've competed in both AKC and Schutzhund. In AKC the dog's name is used before a moving command. In Schutzhund it's considered a double command. It's a moot point if the dog knows the command.
Also, as per Steve. I use different commands for competition and home manners. "Here" means get over here but you don't need any fancy sit in front. I just want you within 6 ft of me. "Front" means come straight in and sit straight in front of me.
I don't expect military precision with basic home commands but I do with "formal" competition commands.
What commands you use for each doesn't really matter to anyone but you and the dog. "Popcorn" can mean down if you want it to. It's the consistency with those commands that is all important!
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Competition Heeling Video - Front/Focus on Name
#358702 - 04/10/2012 05:09 PM 
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