Getting A Closer Recall

[Diva]

Hi

This is probably a simple question, but I'm having a brain lapse and would appreciate some tips. I have a large (about 75 cm at the whithers) young dog which I have just started obedience training. She comes in fast on a recall and close enough so she just 'bumps' my stomach with her nose, but by the time she rocks back into a sit her head is a good distance away - I can touch her without moving so its probably OK by the rules, but it's not the look I am after.

Her back feet stay planted from the time her nose touches me to the sit, but she rocks back to sit and is long enough in body that that creates some distance. How do I get her to move her back feet up to sit, rather than rocking back? She is very soft (young sighthound) and just getting the hang of this training thing, so whatever I try needs to suit that temperament.

Any suggestions?

[The Spotted Devil]

Diva, I've just successfully trained my Dal to do a beautiful, straight front - he was doing just what you describe! I don't think he truly understood that the exercise was to run to me and sit straight and true close to me. Firstly, I used a clicker plus a completely new command ("front") to re-train the exercise in the lounge room. I started by sitting in a chair with my knees apart and enticed Zig to sit directly in front of me.....click/treat etc. Then I progressed to standing up once and trying it, then sitting down again to reinforce it. After a little bit he really got the idea and so we progressed to a quiet park which was distraction enough for him It's his favourite exercise, now, and I use it as a way to finish off obedience training on a high note!

Good luck - I hope that makes sense ;)

[Diva]

Yes that makes sense - I hadn't thought of retraining with me sitting down, that will change the look of it to her and help break through the rut we are in. You are right she doesn't quite get it at the moment, she understands she is to come straight to me and sit, but that's it really. I've been trying to backchain it standing but she was just getting confused.

Thanks for the tip.

[dogdude]

My advice is to get the dog stopping on his rear end first so that there is no rock back. Teach it by getting the dog to lift his head up as he gets close to you. Hold a tempting lure high in the air as he gets close. If they stop on their forehand it only encourages a slow change of pace.

Just be careful that you don't get bowled over. Experiment with your hand movements to get it right.

[Diva]

Thanks dogdude, I'll try that. I'd love to get her tucking into sits. Watch her at a gallop and she's a very agile dog, ask her to drop and she flings herself to the ground, but watch her put herself into a sit and it's like she is tackling the theory of relativity, LOL.

[ShellyBeggs]

I too am working with this........

I use a front exercise with the clicker too.......and only c/t the close ones and working up to only c/t the excellent ones.

Its a bit of a spinning game and Ranger loves it......hold the bait real close and high enough that to take it they have to sit close with their head tilted up, dont look at the dog but look at the bait, when they come in and sit where you want, c/t then not waiting gor them to finish the bait, turn 90 degrees in one direction with feet still in the same spot. and repeat.

they get really quick at coming in close and following you around to get the next treat.

of course make sure you turn both directions.........and work up to the exact position you want.

then when they get excellent you can add half turns, following you on a full turn etc.....

I wish i was up to that point but getting there..........