I am trying to teach my dog the flip finish. I have read several articles describe a method where you step into your dog and they jump out of the way. Timing is apparently crucial.

I tried this and we were making progress for two days, she was flipping out of the way and progressing towards the right behavior. Today she totally shutdown on me. She's flipping away from me prior to a fuss command and just plainly not interested in playing the game. I think my timing was just really really off.

What should I do and is there another method to try?

what are you using for a primary motivator?

try putting your dog in a sit out of motion, and return to your dog walking right into your dog, but instead of stopping so that your dog is in a front-sit position, you keep walking almost walking on your dog, as you are about to walk into your dog you give the fuss command, and begin heeling, change it up, also as you give the fuss command reward your dog if it shows an effort to get into heal position quickly, over time you will reduce the distance that you walk away from the dog and into the dog until you are already in the front sit position. soon you could be in te front-sit position and say fuss and begin heeling and it will start to look more like a finish, then you just shorten the distance you heel, until you arent moving at all, be patient, and make sure that your dog really really wants whatever you are using for motivation.

"She's flipping away prior to a fuss command."
Getting a finish by walking into the dog will cause many dogs to stress and She's anticipating you. It sounds like you try to get her to finish every time she's in front of you. When the dog is in a front position, vary the finish with LOTS of "free", "OK", whatever your release command is.
With my current dog, I taught the flip finish with food. Even with that, I only have him do a finish from the front position 1-2 times out of ten and that is never in any pattern. The front position should be a seperate exercise and is a means to a reward all its own. Teaching the finish with the bump limits your options on positions to finish from.

I took a slightly different approach. I think you are right Bob, the stepping into her caused too much stress (due to me not doing it correctly).

I went back, re-read up on the articles online re: training a flip finish; and I gave her a day off; then went back with food. I guess I underestimated her food drive but she's doing it eagerly now; pushing to continue the session.

The way I was trying to teach her was bringing her to the frontal position, then telling her "fuss" and stepping into her. I rewarded her with the ball the first few times she just got out of the way and did a semi flip. Then I had her come into a sit. She was sort of doing it and I thought we were progressing in the right direction. I guess I should have noticed her lack of interest in the session. I also think I was asking her too many repititions.

Anyways, the food seems to be a much better fit for her. Its so hard adjusting from one dog to another, my other dog was so crazy about a ball and would do anything to get it. She has the ball/prey drive, but she prefers food when given the option. She'll even out for food, whereas my male wouldn't drop a tug if his life depended on it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the advice guys! hopefully this food continues to work for her <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Dana, I realize this is a 10 day old post, (haven't had much time for list surfing) but wanted to share my thoughts on the Flip Finish with you. First off, if your dog is very much on the large and long side in size, you might want to consider something other then the Flip Finish . . . yes it's very cool and snappy looking, but it's harder for the large and long dogs to flip into the correct position every time correctly and consistently even with good to excellent hips. Just a thought for your consideration!

I was taught to do the flip finish with my big GSD, by having him sit at a 45 degree angle to the left of me, put my hand with the breadth of my fingers into his collar, hand remains open not closed, say, "FUSS", rotate my hand strongly counter clockwise in the collar, at the same time taking one step back with my left leg, and turning and pulling him into position all in the same movement. It takes good timing, and coordination on the handler's part and should be all one smooth movement with the dog *landing* in the correct position each time, then *mark it*, release, reward and do about 4 repetitions each time.

My dog had this learned in his first session, but I had the instructor right there, so if you do this by yourself it might take two sessions, don't get frustrated! It helps me to practice the physical movement and timing by myself without the dog -first, before bringing the dog into it, when learning a new exercise.. . .provides entertainment for the neighbors too!
Best Regards,
Wendy Wied
K-9 Dillon
K-9 Catja