3 steps back

[LuvourGSDs]

Anyone have any special ways to teach this one ? Tried the lead under the belly area & seems to hit his, well............ & not liking very well. Any other suggestions ?

Also, when you go from Adv A to Excellent A when it comes to Rally, do you feel there's a big diff ? I know you can't clap or really get into it that way, but anything else ?

Going from Novice to Adv wasn't all that bad other than I would like his heels right at my side.

BTW, any other signs in Excellent that is as bad as the 3 steps back ?

~Thanks~

[BlackPuppy]

Balto had no problem going from Advanced to Excellent.

For the three steps back, I found that using the same command that I did for the left pivot worked. I say "Get In" and use a one hand to show direction for the left pivot, and for the 3 steps back I use "Get In" and both hands to show direction.

[Lauri & The Gang]

If you teach a dog that HEEL is a position, not a motion then it shouldn't be a problem. The dog learns to stay in the HEEL position no matter what.

[BlackPuppy]

I still need to teach Balto about heeling. He just naturally walks at my left side, somehow. That's my goal for next year with a BH.

[LuvourGSDs]

Originally Posted By: Lauri & The GangIf you teach a dog that HEEL is a position, not a motion then it shouldn't be a problem. The dog learns to stay in the HEEL position no matter what.

K, I say heel for them to get at my side & I haven't been saying anything once I step off, hoping I'm right, but watched some Obed. & seen people saying heel each time they stepped.

Thing is, if I say heel, dog comes to sit at side, this is a stand & they have to move back. I seen dogs having problems with this sign this weekend.

Just wasn't sure how to teach ?

Also with Rally, I say around when doing a front sit finish to the right, ok ?

Some manys words being used ?

My left pivots, I say, get back, then sit........

[Lauri & The Gang]

Is this it:

Quote:Back Up 3 Steps – Dog Stays in Position. While heeling, the handler reverses direction walking backward 3 steps, without first halting, then continues heeling forward. The dog moves backward with the handler and maintains position throughout the exercise
without sitting.

[TMarie]

I teach backwards heeling by heeling against a wall. I use a riding crop or dowel, and keep it in front of my dogs chest while using the command back.

If I don't have a wall available I set up a barrier with gates or even just 2x4's on the ground.

[Kayla's Dad]

I did it the same way as Tammy - use a wall or barrier-with maybe a prop in front to keep him from moving forward or a high value treat that you bring backwards. Not only is backwards the only way to go but the wall helps keep him in position while he's learning this one. Don't think of The Backup 3 step as a stand. You are expected to start backwards without hesitation. I use "back" for the 3 steps backwards sign and I'm usually saying "reaaaady?" to Kayla as we head into toward the sign to make sure she is slowing down and paying attention just before we start the backwards motion.

I use "Around" for the dog to go around my right and into the heel position on the left and Heel for coming to me left and flipping into the heel

I use "Heel" or "Get in" for the pivots. Using Heel goes with what Laura said about it being a position though I've used as a position command while moving forward or being stationary. When stationary, the dog should sit in the heel position. I've used something else such as back for the backward motion. Though if you taught or teach that Heel means a position as Laura said, it could be used to moving backwards as well.

[LuvourGSDs]

Originally Posted By: Lauri & The GangIs this it:

Sounds right .................

Like your tip Tammy ! Need to do against a wall with a dowel rod.

So, heel is to side ? No wording when stepping off ? It seems in Obed., watched some at trial this past weekend & handler would say heel each time they started off so, this had me confused about how I have been teaching.

What to say to keep the dog right at your side then ?

Any other tricky things to know about in excellent ?

I just know the 3 steps back we haven't done or worked on so, need to get busy......... Just didn't think I would make it to this level already.

~Thanks~

[LuvourGSDs]

What command word do you use ?

I use "Get Back" for my U turns to the left & 360's, I thought of using "Back Up" for the 3 steps back, but didn't want to confuse the dog with having "Back" word in both. Would it you think ?