Jump to content

Some Ideas To Keep Heelwork Exciting


 Share

Recommended Posts

The K & K game is like the 2 food game, except that it starts and ends with the dog jumping up (on cue) and getting the first and lasst rewards from up near your chest - then you turn a 360 circle with the dog alongside and as you face front again, throw the food as far as you can - with a get it if necessary - then saying nothing until the dog gets to the food, then lots of noise and yahooing as the dog comes back, then round again, throw again - rinse and repeat a couple times, then as the dog comes back in for the last time, cue the jump up again and treat (and fuss).

The two girls came out in April and did Daces with Dogs workshops in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne - I went to the Melbourne one. It was directed at DWD people, so Heelwork to Music rather than purely obedience heeling - but it was mostly motivational training tips, so applicable to everything.

Here's the link to their website - and do have a look at some clips of their performances - sooooo much energy and enthusiasm, and precision. :rofl:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It could well be, RS. I must confess I haven't watched all of the dvd (or if I have, I've forgotten it :D ) - Kath & Kim's workshop was the first time I'd come across it, but they may well have got it or adapted it from somewhere else. I think they like the jumping up part because it's very rewarding for a lot of dogs, and it fits in well with DWD. They certainly adopt the Choose to Heel philosophy.

(After I found the link, I just took a few minutes to watch a couple of their HTM routines - wow - talk about duration and focus - the Minuet routine of Karen's with Fly which won HTM at Crufts in 2008 was over 4 minutes long, and in the big arena! I'm all inspired again :laugh: )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It could well be, RS. I must confess I haven't watched all of the dvd (or if I have, I've forgotten it :D ) - Kath & Kim's workshop was the first time I'd come across it, but they may well have got it or adapted it from somewhere else. I think they like the jumping up part because it's very rewarding for a lot of dogs, and it fits in well with DWD. They certainly adopt the Choose to Heel philosophy.

(After I found the link, I just took a few minutes to watch a couple of their HTM routines - wow - talk about duration and focus - the Minuet routine of Karen's with Fly which won HTM at Crufts in 2008 was over 4 minutes long, and in the big arena! I'm all inspired again :laugh: )

Will have a look at the website thanks :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, that would work well too. I did a bit of distraction-proofing/precision turns/figure 8 work the other day with treat packets and a frisbee and a ball on the ground as distractors, and turn targets. Once I got a little bit of really focussed work - a deliberate averting the eyes from the ball and looking at me and maintaining position (after a couple of less successful goes, I marked and rewarded him with a throw of the ball or the frisbee - whichever one he'd just pointedly ignored - good little man would bring the toy right back to me, then I'd put it back on the ground, and we would do a little bit more. Probably only about 2 or 3 minutes all up, including the toy retrieves - and in a concentrated area. Seemed to work well. (Ideas pinched from WA gurus :laugh:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks all you guys. I've got some great ideas from you. Have sent off for the "Choose to Heel" book and love the ideas of the 2 food game etc. It is so good to be able to talk to people who, 1- have similar problems, and 2, - can offer terrific suggestions. Thank you all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kath & Kim heelwork ??? Tell me more???

Does it get it's name from "look at moiiiiiiiii!!!" rofl1.gif

That's what I was wondering...

Slow to get back on this one - yes, the girls did make the most of the happy coincidence of their names! :rofl:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...