Dog Community

Off leash heeling

Posted : 4/9/2008 8:23:48 PM

I'm working Maze on a 50ft rope since I don't have a fenced in area to teach her off leash work. I've just started teaching her to heel. I've never taught it before with any of my dogs because of my location at the time, they were all off leash animals and otherwise trained.

Since I live in a town now, I'd like Maze to have a heel command.. I know I probably should have trained it when she was smaller but her leash problems only started recently.. But anyways. What I've been doing is holding a piece of cheese cupped in my hand so she can smell but can't get at it and lure her in to a heel for about 5 to 10 steps then give her the treat..

Is this a good way of teaching it or should I try something different?

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/9/2008 8:29:13 PM

Bribery is totally acceptable, and I often use to it start with a new behavior. One day, if you see me in the show ring, you might see me cup my hand in front of Emma's face with a faux treat. It's her signal for a moving stand Wink

oranges81

Posted : 4/9/2008 8:31:08 PM

Phew! And here I thought I was being a bad person by bribing my dog! Lol.. Now is there a certain time I should give the treat? like during the heel or after we stop and she sits?

I'd love to see you in the show ring. One day I'd love to compete with Maze in Rally O but in my location, not many trainers are willing to help..

mrv

Posted : 4/10/2008 5:59:36 AM

Personal rant Wink It is NOT a bribe (unless you give the cheese and expect her to perform after the fact). Before the behavior it is a lure and acts as a cue or focus point. If the cheese happens after the steps you reported AND the dog repeats the behavior with more precision each time you assume that position; then is was positive reinforcement.

MRV the radical behaviorist (which means I subscribe to the possibility of self reinforcement and rule governed behavior)

oranges81

Posted : 4/10/2008 12:42:15 PM

If I gave the cheese before the behavior I'd never get the behavior! Lol! Now am I doing the right thing by starting out small..Ei: 5 to 10 steps then stop and do something else and come back to it.. Smile

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/10/2008 7:33:45 PM

Absolutely! Start small, and use short training sessions. Stop before she gets confused or frustrated.

I feed my dog before I start training, or before I go into the show ring. I suppose THAT is correct bribery? LOL "Ems, if you're REALLY GOOD in the ring, I'll give you GOBS OF COOKIES!" hehehe She knows that if she does really well, she gets a stuffie from the ribbon person. I think that is bribery, too. She LOVES tearing those stuffies to shreds!

oranges81

Posted : 4/10/2008 10:15:43 PM

Lol!

Maze lets me know when she's getting frustrated so Maze's training session are very relaxed and mixed with play.