Straight fronts and heel position

Karla · 11-30-2011, 11:37 AM

Have any of you tried using a platform or place board to teach straight fronts and heel positions?

My trainer had me use chutes to help guide him, but I'm still not getting the results that I want. I was looking at youtube videos and found a few who use a platform to teach correct positions.

Platform Exercise for Duration Attention and Foundation Positions for Canine Freestyle - YouTube

I think this method might work better. I had my hubby make a platform for me. It's important to custom size the platform to fit your dog. With your dog standing comfortably, you measure the width of the front legs and the back legs and only add an inch or two so that the position is precise. The instructions for length measurement is from the tips of their toes to the back of their rear feet and add 4 inches. They didn't think the length mattered too much. For me it does because I want close fronts and he will have to be on the platform completely to be correct.

I have done rear end awareness exercises, but being straight has been a bugger for us. I will give this a try, but if you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks!

Caledon · 11-30-2011, 12:10 PM

My first trainer suggested this method too. She liked the platform better than using plastic piping.

I didn't use either, but should have.

DunRingill · 11-30-2011, 12:13 PM

I haven't used either.....hate using props that need to be faded!!

Guardyan · 11-30-2011, 12:27 PM

I like the idea of platform work and I use one when teaching go-outs. With that said, it can be just another training tool that needs to be faded out.

One other thing that helps with our long-bodied sheps is to be extremely aware of where and when you are producing your rewards. For example, if you want close fronts the reward always needs to be produced close and centered on the body. If you reward with your hands, be sure to alternate from left to right. I spit food but only if my dog comes in close and straight. Hope this helps!

Karla · 11-30-2011, 05:50 PM

Thanks for the replies!

I know it's just a tool that needs to be faded, but I do like it better than using pvc posts.

Shyne, that's some great advice! I need to pay particular attention to rewarding the correct position. I like to spit food too. It does help to bring him in close and straight. It also helped me a lot when I was working on attention heeling.

11-30-2011, 12:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
DunRingill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Somerset, NJ Posts: 452	I haven't used either.....hate using props that need to be faded!! __________________ --Regina and the GSDs: PAM FGDCh Ianna von Sontausen UDX,BH,TD,RE,PT PAM Monster Mike SchH2,UDX,OM1,TD,RE,VER UCD von Sontausen Holy Grail (The BUNNY!) RA,BN, 2/3 ASCA RNX High in Trial

11-30-2011, 12:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Guardyan Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southeast Idaho Posts: 1,436	I like the idea of platform work and I use one when teaching go-outs. With that said, it can be just another training tool that needs to be faded out. One other thing that helps with our long-bodied sheps is to be extremely aware of where and when you are producing your rewards. For example, if you want close fronts the reward always needs to be produced close and centered on the body. If you reward with your hands, be sure to alternate from left to right. I spit food but only if my dog comes in close and straight. Hope this helps! __________________ Shyne & The Guardyan Sheps Guardyan's Gavin CDX, RE, AX, AXJ, AXP, AJP, CGC Guardyan's Helki CD, MXP, AJP, CGC V Nenzi v Bullinger SchH1, Kkl1 lbz

11-30-2011, 12:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Caledon Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,787	My first trainer suggested this method too. She liked the platform better than using plastic piping. I didn't use either, but should have.

11-30-2011, 05:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Karla Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 74	Thanks for the replies! I know it's just a tool that needs to be faded, but I do like it better than using pvc posts. Shyne, that's some great advice! I need to pay particular attention to rewarding the correct position. I like to spit food too. It does help to bring him in close and straight. It also helped me a lot when I was working on attention heeling.

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