Ciara

Ooh sounds good, will try it on my Groen. The Mally needs to learn the *back* first, then I will see how we go. Thankies My boy is great with hand signals.. even though he is half blind he always seems to get what Im saying. Also I whisper commands to him when we're out on a walk, and he is so funny, he looks at me and stays glued to my side listening intently... I used to cheat at dog obedience club by whispering to him *shhshhshhshhshh* and he knew that meant I would *treat* him... So if he walked too far in front of me at the heel, he would quickly slip back right next to my leg.... I wasn't allowed to use dog treats in those days, so it came in quite handy... Especially since he was randomly rewarded, I didn't have to give him anything during the lesson... Now I wonder if I can teach the *back* move to my cats? They keep walking in front of the computer screen while I'm typing.... ;)

Good, my dogs already know the *move* and Kaiser knows the *back up* command.. I will set this up as a more formal command now.. thanks. Sounds rather easy, can you add anything extra to it? Such as a left or right signal as well? As in move back left/right etc...? ;) (might be helpful in doggy freestyle too)

Yep it's also easy to use hand signals... Im currently teaching my Mally girl a *finish* even though she is only starting basic obedience... I use my own methods, I have no idea what the *usual* way is, but I simply do a hand signal, followed by luring with a reward, (praise or treat). That's most likely how I shaped the spin with my dog... I do not recall exactly, but I think that's how. I guess however you do it, so long as it works.

This is a funny trick... I too can't remember when or how I trained Kaiser to do this... but you say *chase your tail* and he spins around... Then *other side* and he spins in the other direction... Then *stop* and then he stops mid-spin, and waits to spin again.... It's highly amusing... He can spin so fast that he has fallen over from dizziness.... My best friend is evil, and everytime she comes to visit, she makes Kaiser spin til he gets dizzy...

Least she had a happy 14 and a half years with her family. Poor sweetie, look at those beautiful eyes.

Aww Katie...