Yup have to agree with most of the gang on this one. I want my dog to come into a left side heel as well. Just as David said reloading. I also agree with what eddie said as far as wanting the dog facing the threat. As a handler I am obviously going to be looking at the threat and I want the dog doing the same. PSD's that I have done and most of the ones I have seen do this. I am sure someone out there knows of one that faces but I dont
We train both commands separately at first then combine them as needed (for SchH/sport). When using recall command only the dog returns and sits in the front position. When using recall command followed by heel command (eg "hier fuss") dog runs towards handler and gets in heel position. Use heel command only for getting dog to heel position from any position close to handler.
The recall command is often paired with another command when purpose is to get dog to run towards handler but move to a different position before coming to halt in front position. For example handler gives "send out" command and send the dog running in a particular direction, handler gives recall command and while dog is running towards handler he/she sends the dog out to the next blind etc.
I can see that this is a relatively old thread but my question still applies. I inadvertantly trained my pup to heel coming to my left side then spinning around into position against my left leg rather than going to my right side, around the back, then taking the heel position against the left leg.
My pup won't be in any shows or competion therefore it works for me and I see no need to change it.
I have to admit it looks fluid, but is there a specific reason for having a dog circle around the back into the heel position? Should I try to switch my almost 7month pup over?
It's easier to teach the dog to go around the back in the first place. The argument for the military finish is that you never lose sight of the dog. I'd still teach the conventional way because it's the same for the dog as going around the back when you do a left about turn. It's just good for the dog to be comfortable with various ways of getting to the heel from different places. For example when I'm on my bicycle it's easier for the dog to come to heel around the back. The different finishes do not interfere with each other as they're usually accompanied by some other signal.
Thanks for the insight Dan, your point was very clear. I have a training session coming up next week with our trainer where I'll get the specifics on how to get that going, although my dog and I had a break through last night where after being called to heel, he corrected his sloppiness on his own without direction, cues, or correction.
If your dog is recalling to left side then kind of turning to be in heel position, and he does it consistently and it looks clean, and if you're satisfied with it, I would see no point in trying to eliminate it as an overall response to the commands.
If you wanted him to add to his skills a recall to the front and do a traditional around the back to heel, I would advise you to teach it as two commands separate from the commands you are now using. Then you could have two options for how he comes in and heels.
The more skills and tasks a dog is taught, and drilled on, the smarter he is overall. It s a good way to build and solidify confidence.
Jim,
What you mentioned is exactly what I was thinking last night. Why fix something that isn't broken - I should just build on it by teaching other routes to get into position as Dan previously mentioned. I'm also going to incorporate recall to the front with it's own command.
Thanks all, its nice to know I have a place to come and get quailty insight. I particularly appreciate the different viewpoints and techniques as it goes to show that dog training isn't simply black and white.
I'm a big fan of building on what a dog does well and maybe does naturally.
Example, walking down stair wells in my building the handrail is on my left. It wasn't safe to have the dog between me and the handrail and he knew it. But he was in a HEEL command and also knew that meant to be on my left. He was very apprehensive and shied behind me going down stairs. What I did was scoot him around to my right and give him the command PLACE. After 2 days of going up and down stairs he got the contrast between HEEL means walk on left side of master, and PLACE means walk on right side of master. He also got much more confident going down the stairs.
Now I have two options for where he walks with me. And on crowded sidewalks its pretty cool to be able to command PLACE and have the dog go around to my right side avoiding oncoming pedestrians.
i have taught my dog to heel on both sides (two different commands), it comes in handy for sure
as for recall, i really only do recalls when we're practicing obedience, and i will have him sit in front - i can then command him to either side, or release him if he's just done really awesomely...
when we're actually working i usually just use fuss and he will come straight back to heel...
i prefer the "flip" style finish as it means you are never between your dog and a potential threat, and if you are working with a long line on your dog you dont get all tangled up in it...
it also eliminates the problem of the dog running in front of and doing circles around the handler when getting over excited and being told heel! heel!, i've seen teams that just spin in circles... if the dog doesnt learn to go around the handler for a heel then the problem doesnt get a chance to occur :)
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