Teaching Back

[Tiggy]

I've started teaching Banjo to back with me in front stepping towards him but I'm not sure how to teach it in heel position. I watched some you tube videos but would like to hear how you guys teach it. Also should he learn the elephant trick(front feet on the phonebook) first?

[Erny]

Did you teach him the "back" that he knows, by using lure?

If so, use the same/similar technique, but do it with him at your side in heel position. You can use your "back" command (assuming that the lure method is working) but if you want him to learn to heel with you, you'll need to wean off from this command.

[shoemonster]

Next to a fence or a wall, at the start

And dont step on him like I did with Ed (I'm sure Erny will remember that one! Poor sensitive Ed!)

[bedazzledx2]

I reckon teaching back at heel is easier than in front If you look at the origins of Heelwork to Music and Freestyle its just doodling so the dog understands perfect heel position. Remember - dog moves with the left leg...soooo...if you are stationary and you move your left leg back and say heel the dog should move one step backwards. Again if you are stationary, (and the dog really understands left leg, right leg), and you only move your left leg forward, then he should come with your left leg movement. Once he understands this basic lesson you can increase the number of steps slowly and also teach going sideways the same way. Use a physical barrier in the beginning stages to keep him straight. This can be a really fun way of tidying up heelwork and teaching absolute position. Click treat works really well for this exercise. A good one for teaching indoors when its too hot to do anything else....have fun

I've started teaching Banjo to back with me in front stepping towards him but I'm not sure how to teach it in heel position. I watched some you tube videos but would like to hear how you guys teach it. Also should he learn the elephant trick(front feet on the phonebook) first?

[Tiggy]

I reckon teaching back at heel is easier than in front If you look at the origins of Heelwork to Music and Freestyle its just doodling so the dog understands perfect heel position. Remember - dog moves with the left leg...soooo...if you are stationary and you move your left leg back and say heel the dog should move one step backwards. Again if you are stationary, (and the dog really understands left leg, right leg), and you only move your left leg forward, then he should come with your left leg movement. Once he understands this basic lesson you can increase the number of steps slowly and also teach going sideways the same way. Use a physical barrier in the beginning stages to keep him straight. This can be a really fun way of tidying up heelwork and teaching absolute position. Click treat works really well for this exercise. A good one for teaching indoors when its too hot to do anything else....have fun

I'll try this thanks .

[becks]

I've done this in the kitchen, along the line of cupboards, easy to teach if you have taught hand touching/touch stick, so the dog will follow your hand, you can then also teach the dog to work away from your leg and build in spins etc to keep him guessing about what you are going to ask him next while 'at heel'

Just watch where the backend is going as you reverse against a wall, sometimes a dog can move the backend behind your feet.

[Tiggy]

I've done this in the kitchen, along the line of cupboards, easy to teach if you have taught hand touching/touch stick, so the dog will follow your hand, you can then also teach the dog to work away from your leg and build in spins etc to keep him guessing about what you are going to ask him next while 'at heel'

Just watch where the backend is going as you reverse against a wall, sometimes a dog can move the backend behind your feet.

Banjo knows how to hand touch . I've got a perfect spot in between the lounge and kitchen bench to back him down. I'll make sure his backend doesn't trip me up .

[corvus]

I reckon teaching back at heel is easier than in front ;) If you look at the origins of Heelwork to Music and Freestyle its just doodling so the dog understands perfect heel position. Remember - dog moves with the left leg...soooo...if you are stationary and you move your left leg back and say heel the dog should move one step backwards. Again if you are stationary, (and the dog really understands left leg, right leg), and you only move your left leg forward, then he should come with your left leg movement. Once he understands this basic lesson you can increase the number of steps slowly and also teach going sideways the same way. Use a physical barrier in the beginning stages to keep him straight. This can be a really fun way of tidying up heelwork and teaching absolute position. Click treat works really well for this exercise. A good one for teaching indoors when its too hot to do anything else....have fun

What a great post.

I was going to teach Erik to hip target using the elephant trick, but that sounds a lot simpler and more sensible!

[bedazzledx2]

Thanks Corvus BTW, perch work, (never heard of it being called the elephant trick but its a great description ) and right leg/left leg doodling are not mutually exclusive....in fact they complement each other. Perch work (front feet on a small platform such as a telephone book or block of wood) teaches the dog how to maintain position through turns and back end awarness.

I reckon teaching back at heel is easier than in front ;) If you look at the origins of Heelwork to Music and Freestyle its just doodling so the dog understands perfect heel position. Remember - dog moves with the left leg...soooo...if you are stationary and you move your left leg back and say heel the dog should move one step backwards. Again if you are stationary, (and the dog really understands left leg, right leg), and you only move your left leg forward, then he should come with your left leg movement. Once he understands this basic lesson you can increase the number of steps slowly and also teach going sideways the same way. Use a physical barrier in the beginning stages to keep him straight. This can be a really fun way of tidying up heelwork and teaching absolute position. Click treat works really well for this exercise. A good one for teaching indoors when its too hot to do anything else....have fun

What a great post.

I was going to teach Erik to hip target using the elephant trick, but that sounds a lot simpler and more sensible!

[Tiggy]

Hey bedazzled this is totally off topic but have you seen the bedazzled teeth cleaning ad on the go channel. 'Smile you've been bedazzled' .

[bedazzledx2]

Ha ha No I haven't...will have to look out for it

Hey bedazzled this is totally off topic but have you seen the bedazzled teeth cleaning ad on the go channel. 'Smile you've been bedazzled' .