1. Bruxinha, my Lab-Mix, knew playing dead (laying on her side, head on the floor) quite well. Probably I've waited too long until I repeated it. The other two still do it without problem. When I give the command, she lets herself fall to the side as she should but without head down. For this I have to feed her in that position many times in a row. But as soon as I get up she lifts her head. Has anyone any suggestion?

2. Three of my dogs know things like spin, twist, around etc well, when they are doing it near to me. When I put them in a stand stay I can walk or run around or away of them, do all kind of silly movements they keep the stay. But if I give a command like "twist" they come running to me and twist near me. The only thing they do at a distance of about 3m is the "sit pretty". Heck, why can't those beasts do the twists etc. there where they stand? What can I do? What shouldn't I do? I've tried it in many sessions but only 2-3 reps at a time in order not to frustrate them with non-rewards.

Thanks for any tip.

No one answered my questions : Is it because you've missed it or shouldn't I post questions about tricks?

For playing dead I have meanwhile found my error. When Bruxinha lifted her head to look where I went, I've gone to far away. Then I tried it with kneeling beside her and holding her head gently on the ground. When this worked well, I idiot got up but stayed near her but she lifted her head again. I hadn't considered that standing up is also increasing distance. Don't know why this didn't enter my mind earlier. I now lifted my myself only partly, gradually increasing. After a few sessions it worked again.

What concerns performing the spin etc from a stand stay at distance, i also went to far away, although they had only learned it near to me, beside and in front.

I restarted with a very short distance and they are doing this without problem. I can now bit by bit increase the distance

If someone has a more skillful idea I'd very much appreciate to hear it.

EXCELLENT!!

Your figuring out your mistakes.

Duration Distance and Time fit any and all behaviors you want to teach.......and of course random as the dog learns.

Everything random, Bob, including my stupidities! Thanks for the EXCELLENT, A very encouraging jackpot! But it annoys me, that I didn't use my brains enough to recognize earlier how difficult it must have been for Bruxinha to guess what I want from her. Though I'm glad of course that the big illumination finally occurred. Better late than never.