Heeling & Focus?

[LuvourGSDs]

I just wondered if you have this while working the dog, what command are you giving, watch or are you just treating when they look at ya? What do you say to get to your side & as you step off & also while walking? What if they pull ahead some, command for correction?

If you have good focus & they seem to always want to watch you walking on a lead, how about talking just a normal walk & you don't need such focus?

Thanks for any advice.....

[ponyfarm]

What exactly is your question? Maybe no one answered because we don't know what you asking.

[Shaina]

I use fuss, and only fuss. Fuss means to my dog, get in the heel position, stay in the heel position, and watch my handler. I tell her "fuss", she comes to my side. "Fuss" again right as we begin walking. If she leaves position (goes forward or backwards from the heel position) then it is "No, fuss." I don't believe in having different commands for it, it should all mean the same thing to the dog.

[Liesje]

I train the focus ("watch") before I ever start heeling. Once the dog can give me uninterrupted focus even under distractions, then I add the movement of heeling. I don't give any commands until the dog can already heel quite a ways. Once the dog is doing it correctly I start calling it "fuss" and building it into a command.

For a normal walk I say "let's go" and don't require the same focus and precision. For us, walks are for getting exercise and sniffing around. Formal heeling is for obedience training and competition.

[gsdheeler]

For attention in sitting position I use "ready" (in AKC the judge will ask are you ready) For forward movement I use "dog's name and "heel"
For a walk at the park I use differant collar and leads with no real comand ex for the "leave it" for rabbits, ducks, or poop someone didn't pick up.

[LuvourGSDs]

Originally Posted by Liesje

I train the focus ("watch") before I ever start heeling. Once the dog can give me uninterrupted focus even under distractions, then I add the movement of heeling. I don't give any commands until the dog can already heel quite a ways. Once the dog is doing it correctly I start calling it "fuss" and building it into a command.

For a normal walk I say "let's go" and don't require the same focus and precision. For us, walks are for getting exercise and sniffing around. Formal heeling is for obedience training and competition.

Ok cool, what I have been doing. I need to divide the norm walk from the obed walk/heel, she wants to watch me on norm walks, like that, but wanting her to realize this is a fun walk. I was worried about using heel for side position & also when stepping off & moving.

Do you on a norm walk let them walk out ahead every which way as long as no pulling or do you still keep them right at your side?

The diff collars is a good idea, have not messed with that. What if you all switch do you use?

Thanks much....

[Shaina]

I guess Ive never given my dog a command for a normal walk... "QUIT PULLING ME" is probably going to be our cue, because she definitely doesn't want to fuss when we're out on a normal walk hahah.