JulesP Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 When you are doing your heeling what hand do you hold your lead in? And what hand do you use to give your signals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FHRP Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Hold the lead in the right hand, pick up the slack with my left hand. Signal down with the right hand, stand with the left hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 (edited) In trials and leading up to it I held it in my left hand, use my left hand with lead in it for heel signal, my right hand for the down signal and I swap lead to my right hand and use a left handed stand signal Mainly cos if the lead is in my left hand I found it asier to leave it loose and act as though it wasnt there and though the club teach a right handed stand signal a judge told me to use the left handed signal as he saw how twisted my body with a right handed signal. He also uses a left handed stay signal which I would like to change to as well Edited August 12, 2008 by shoemonster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Pretty much same as shoemonster Lead in left hand, heel signal left hand with lead, drop and stay right hand, stand left hand (swap lead to right hand for this). Yet another thing I got picked up on at this new club though They wanted me to hold lead with right hand and give signals with left. I said, I am not going to change this now! Not with Diesel when we are so far! If the keep hassling me about it I will go back to other club I think . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Yeah I wouldnt change now, you only have the lead on for CCD anyway, then its gone I borrowed a lead for Mollys last trial which was a bit shorter and it was fantastic, didnt get caught under her legs when I forgot t shorten it in my hand, and I thought I have to get one this length, then I relaised I'm not doing on lead work anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keshwar Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 (edited) I'm left handed so I hold the lead in my right hand and do all signals with my left. Drives experienced triallers/instructors batty. Bear. Edited to clarify. Edited August 13, 2008 by FaxonandBear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Paws Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 I must admidt I hold lead in right and do signals with left and I'm right handed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsD Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 I hold lead in my left hand (3 ft lead so it never gets caught up with the dog), stand with left hand (swap lead to right hand to give signal), drop with right hand & stay with left hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblyness Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 I hold the lead in the right hand, stand signal left hand, stay left hand and down right hand. I do find that the lead sometimes gets under one of his legs in the down if I'm not careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 It's been a long time since I have trialled. I used to hold the lead in the left hand and do all signals with the right hand. I'm interested to know why many of you (who use your left hand to hold the lead) swap the lead to your right for the 'stand' command? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I dunno Buck - I was taught to give stand command with left hand, and it is easier to do that with my lead in my right hand. I am doing the signals the way I was taught at my first obedience club (Manly and Districts) when I was training Zoe about 8 years ago, and possibly when training Belle (though it is hard to remember as that was 15 years ago). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I dunno Buck - I was taught to give stand command with left hand, and it is easier to do that with my lead in my right hand. I am doing the signals the way I was taught at my first obedience club (Manly and Districts) when I was training Zoe about 8 years ago, and possibly when training Belle (though it is hard to remember as that was 15 years ago). No worries - thanks Kavik. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 I hold the lead in my left hand and do all my signals with my right hand. I asked because I heard someone say you NEVER hold the lead with your left hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keshwar Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I hold the lead in my left hand and do all my signals with my right hand. I asked because I heard someone say you NEVER hold the lead with your left hand. My problem with doing signals with your right hand is that you have to twist your body for the dog to see the signal. This forces your left shoulder back which can end up forcing your dog back. This was certainly the case with Faxon, he'd see my left shoulder go back and drop back behind me. Not the desired result at all. I also found the whole swapping the lead between hands clumsy and just another thing to concentrate on instead of giving a clean signal. Bear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I am not coordinated enough to give signals with my left hand I tried and just found it clumsy. I can hold lead with right (had to when training with security people - but they use guide, show, place and with my dogs I tend to lure) but find it easier in left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keshwar Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I am not coordinated enough to give signals with my left hand I tried and just found it clumsy.I can hold lead with right (had to when training with security people - but they use guide, show, place and with my dogs I tend to lure) but find it easier in left. I've gotta say I think this is really what it comes down too. What works for you and your dog. Doesn't matter what anyone else says if it doesn't feel right for you or work for you then it won't work. Bear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 Yeah I tried to give signals with my left hand the other day and couldn't. The only one that feels ok is the forward signal. I have been doing it like this for over 15 years so not surprising it feels weird though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsD Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I hold the lead in my left hand and do all my signals with my right hand. I asked because I heard someone say you NEVER hold the lead with your left hand. My problem with doing signals with your right hand is that you have to twist your body for the dog to see the signal. This forces your left shoulder back which can end up forcing your dog back. This was certainly the case with Faxon, he'd see my left shoulder go back and drop back behind me. Not the desired result at all. This is very true. Although I do use right hand for drop & didnt have a problem with it, but your point is very valid I think. Lots of dogs (& handlers) suffer from this. The reason I give a stand signal with the left hand is that when I teach the dog the stand I swap the lead to the right hand & give the signal straight across in front of the dogs face & can then quickly reach around & pop my hand under the dogs tummy just in front of the back stifle to stop it from sitting. Once the dog is proficient at it, my hand stops directly in front of the dogs face (assuming of course that you have a medium to large sized dog), it's very very hard for the dog to miss a signal that way :rolleyes: . That's the way I was taught to do it years ago, worked perfectly for all my dogs so far! Jules Im pretty sure most of the top triallers (at least up here in Qld) would never dream of heeling with the lead in their right hand . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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