Rally Bloopers

amjrchamberlain · 03-27-2009, 05:37 PM

Liesje's decision to come up with a new signal for one of her Rally commands, got me thinking about how (I feel) that coming up with new hand signals/commands gets harder the more well trained your dog is.

With my Katie, I used "Get In" for the left turn. I then began to use "Get In" for crating. Duh-Me. LOL

At a trial in January, we were heeling nicely. She was doing Rally Excellent and was really spot on the first 5 signs. We hit the 6th sign (270 Left) and when I swung my hand out and said "Get In" she raced ahead of me. I started to feel frustrated as each time, she would race ahead of me (lots of Left turns on that course - regular, 270 and 360s) towards the gating. She was so confused by me, that she ran around the ring looking about. Finally, I called her to me and asked to NQ. We left the ring and I was so disappointed, because I know she knows what she is doing and it was obvious she was not having fun out there. Duh-Me. LOL Luckily, a friend was videotaping the whole thing.

When I watched the video I realized that each left turn, I would swing my hand out (left signal) and say "Get In". And she would look for the opening in the gate to "get in" to. Poor girl. No wonder she was so confused! Why didn't I think of the double use of that command, earlier?!

Now I use "Swing" for her polished left turn.

We just started working with it this past month, and we trial in April, but atleast I can hope it will be better for her!

Just had to share!

mjbgsd · 03-27-2009, 05:52 PM

In rally excellent, we have the "get back 3 paces" sign and for the first couple times in RE, I would say "get back, get back, get back", well, I use "get back" when they're in front of me and I want them to get behind. When I was getting Isa's RE, I kept wondering why she would get all the way behind me and I realized why.

Now, I have 2 of 10 RAE legs and she doesn't get confused because I've changed my word for when I want them to move out of my way. She's not confused now, I should have known it was my mistake.

amjrchamberlain · 03-28-2009, 12:06 PM

LOL Thanks for sharing Missy.

You know how people say they want to be half the person their dogs think they are? I want to be half as SMART as my dogs think I am. Then again...maybe my dogs realize that their mum isn't so bright...LOL...so they humor me. LOL

03-27-2009, 05:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
amjrchamberlain Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,068	Rally Bloopers Liesje's decision to come up with a new signal for one of her Rally commands, got me thinking about how (I feel) that coming up with new hand signals/commands gets harder the more well trained your dog is. With my Katie, I used "Get In" for the left turn. I then began to use "Get In" for crating. Duh-Me. LOL At a trial in January, we were heeling nicely. She was doing Rally Excellent and was really spot on the first 5 signs. We hit the 6th sign (270 Left) and when I swung my hand out and said "Get In" she raced ahead of me. I started to feel frustrated as each time, she would race ahead of me (lots of Left turns on that course - regular, 270 and 360s) towards the gating. She was so confused by me, that she ran around the ring looking about. Finally, I called her to me and asked to NQ. We left the ring and I was so disappointed, because I know she knows what she is doing and it was obvious she was not having fun out there. Duh-Me. LOL Luckily, a friend was videotaping the whole thing. When I watched the video I realized that each left turn, I would swing my hand out (left signal) and say "Get In". And she would look for the opening in the gate to "get in" to. Poor girl. No wonder she was so confused! Why didn't I think of the double use of that command, earlier?! Now I use "Swing" for her polished left turn. We just started working with it this past month, and we trial in April, but atleast I can hope it will be better for her! Just had to share! __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Angela

03-27-2009, 05:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
mjbgsd Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 5,877	Re: Rally Bloopers In rally excellent, we have the "get back 3 paces" sign and for the first couple times in RE, I would say "get back, get back, get back", well, I use "get back" when they're in front of me and I want them to get behind. When I was getting Isa's RE, I kept wondering why she would get all the way behind me and I realized why. Now, I have 2 of 10 RAE legs and she doesn't get confused because I've changed my word for when I want them to move out of my way. She's not confused now, I should have known it was my mistake. __________________ Akbar- http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1072443 Isa- http://www.dogster.com/dogs/175256

03-28-2009, 12:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
amjrchamberlain Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,068	Re: Rally Bloopers LOL Thanks for sharing Missy. You know how people say they want to be half the person their dogs think they are? I want to be half as SMART as my dogs think I am. Then again...maybe my dogs realize that their mum isn't so bright...LOL...so they humor me. LOL __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Angela

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