Off leash heeling

• 04-09-2008 9:23 PM

  oranges81 Joined on 10-13-2007 BC Canada Posts 1,448 Points 110

  Off leash heeling Reply Contact 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?  Rest In Peace Crombie. You will be greatly missed - 07/25/2007 - 05/??/2008 -I may have ears and a tail but I'm still the person you used to know- He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

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• 04-09-2008 9:29 PM

  In reply to oranges81

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,566 Points 75

  Re: Off leash heeling Reply Contact 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  Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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• 04-09-2008 9:31 PM

  In reply to jennie_c_d

  oranges81 Joined on 10-13-2007 BC Canada Posts 1,448 Points 110

  Re: Off leash heeling Reply Contact  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..   Rest In Peace Crombie. You will be greatly missed - 07/25/2007 - 05/??/2008 -I may have ears and a tail but I'm still the person you used to know- He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

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• 04-10-2008 6:59 AM

  In reply to oranges81

  mrv Joined on 09-10-2007 west central OH Posts 2,658 Points 745

  Re: Off leash heeling Reply Contact Personal rant   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)

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• 04-10-2008 1:42 PM

  In reply to mrv

  oranges81 Joined on 10-13-2007 BC Canada Posts 1,448 Points 110

  Re: Off leash heeling Reply Contact 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..  Rest In Peace Crombie. You will be greatly missed - 07/25/2007 - 05/??/2008 -I may have ears and a tail but I'm still the person you used to know- He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

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• 04-10-2008 8:33 PM

  In reply to oranges81

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,566 Points 75

  Re: Off leash heeling Reply Contact 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!  Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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• 04-10-2008 11:15 PM

  In reply to jennie_c_d

  oranges81 Joined on 10-13-2007 BC Canada Posts 1,448 Points 110

  Re: Off leash heeling Reply Contact Lol! Maze lets me know when she's getting frustrated so Maze's training session are very relaxed and mixed with play. Rest In Peace Crombie. You will be greatly missed - 07/25/2007 - 05/??/2008 -I may have ears and a tail but I'm still the person you used to know- He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

  Post Points: 0