superminty Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Hey all Cannot find anything in the rules that clarifies this to my satisfaction. Can I use a word other than "heel" for heeling? Reason I ask is I am re-training heeling (again) and was considering chucking a whole new word in there (as I should if I was serious about it). Would I be penalised for using, say, "Watch"? It's the closest word to what I want from her as if she's watching, she's heeling. And the best for me memory wise. Can't use "close" or "here", which were other words I considered, as they already mean something else. The only other option is just using my cue - which would be ideal - but she does have a habit of shutting down in the ring due to my terrible nerves and I'd like a back up plan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) What about "close" as a whole new word? As far as I understand you can use any word as long as it's English. I think ETA: Sorry, just re-read your post...can't use close Maybe "look"? Edited May 27, 2009 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Have asked different judges about this and got different answers, as I toyed with the same thing myself. Provided it's in English and half makes sense you should be fine. I know one UDX judge who will accept non-English commands providing you tell him what you're using before you enter the ring. I've heard of "leg" being used as a heel command. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerraNik Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Yeah, what about Leg? Side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zug Zug Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I've heard people use various words - 'close' seems to be popular but I've heard other words also in trial situations. 'Walkies' would be funny in a Barbara Woodhouse kinda way Or maybe 'walking'? Essentially I think the choice of word is up to you, so long as it is only one single word. i.e. you can't say 'come with me' because that's 3 words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy2 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Can I use a word other than "heel" for heeling? yes, you can use any English word. however, a friend of mine who is an obedience judge particularly notes any word other than heel - he says he immediately thinks "hello, they've stuffed up their heeling and had to retrain! watch closely." I stuffed the scent discrimination so badly I had to change the sequence of the articles, the word and the signal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAX Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) I'm sure the rule book says one word in English and I believe one syllable. I use 'touch' as do all of my training mates, I have bad memories of 'heel' and believe I transfer the negativity to my dogs so I use a totally new word. I use close as the find heel position and touch as the heeling position. Edited May 28, 2009 by PAX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magicmine Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I use " close " for my dogs and they seem to respond better to that than " heel " . When im helling them i say close too and they get closer to me. Different dogs work for different words. depends on what you like to use and how you use it for the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I'm sure the rule book says one word in English and I believe one syllable.I use 'touch' as do all of my training mates, I have bad memories of 'heel' and believe I transfer the negativity to my dogs so I use a totally new word. I use close as the find heel position and touch as the heeling position. Gorgeous dog PAX. They're on my shortlist of breeds for my next agility dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) I know someone who uses "GO!". I use a completely different language and always clear it with the judge before we start and so far haven't had any problems. Edited May 27, 2009 by Seita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I used to use "yes" with Piper if she had been working well and just done a nice position. If she had missed the position I would just move off with a hand signal. And of course in training yes had been followed with food a fair amount of the time. I have no idea if it actually helped keep her enthusiasm up as it gave her feedback or not as heelwork was never her issue anyway. And no judge ever commented on it. The other word would use in training was watch. I used heel for return to heel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superminty Posted May 28, 2009 Author Share Posted May 28, 2009 (edited) Thanks for your replies, helps a lot. I think I'll use 'Watch" and then just my hand signal/cue - if she's already focusing on me then no need to use the verbal, but gives me a back up if things go down hill. Although I do like the idea of "Walkies!" Negative association through poor training technique was what got us into this mess to start with Never again. Edited May 28, 2009 by superminty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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