Gait Training - need help - Page 1

I am working two dogs to prepare for the 18-24 month class. My female is picking up on the gaiting fairly easily, but the male is having some issues.

First, we tried having someone else handle the dog and I stand in front 30 feet and call (or use a toy). The dog mushes like a sled dog and no trot what-so-ever. I came closer, about 10 feet, and the same thing. Then, I tried handling him myself and using a toy thrown in front. This somewhat works, but his head is too low. So, I tried running in front of him about 5' and this works, too ... but another person told me this won't work at the show. There will be too many people in my way and I will be unable to run around the outside of the ring. Silly me, I hadn't considered that problem.

Anyone want to throw me some tips? The dog actually is a nicer mover, so I will cry if we can't get him to gait well for the show (show is mid October).

Stacking is going well, not an issue. Just the gaiting!

why don't you just hide so the dog doesn't see you and doesn't know where you are, he at sometime will lift his head and start looking for you, we never train calling the dog from in front

I don't know that the dog will even attempt to gait otherwise. His first reponse is to try and fuss. How can we train the gait without me being in the picture or a toy? This might be ideal, but I'm not sure how to go about it. 

Ramage, you have to teach the dog that gaiting is his job, just like you teach anything else.

I like the person in front, if the dog only scrambles after you, put the other person in front in beginning and have them turn around and give treat occasionaly. Don't give treat if dog is not gaiting.

A friend of mine trains at meal time, places food down (best elevated as on step), takes the dog away and gaits back to bowl. Works great if done correctly and consistently. You will have to figure out how best to convey to dog that only proper gait gets the reward. Promise you, they learn pretty quick. With a little work, you can have your dog looking like the one in Bea's avatar.

Don't get frustrated or be harsh. Dog needs to enjoy being in the ring to do it's best. And don't get carried away and over do in beginning.

HTH and good luck,
Rik

Thanks Rik!

I will try the food method, too and see how that works. Or ... the toy but this time place it up higher (maybe on a fence post?). Excellent idea with elevating the reward. Thanks!

Do you set up a ring every time? The dogs need a routine, in a visible ring they learn easier( the INSIDE = left side of the dog is important, every kind of cord is fine, the outside doesn´t matter ).  ALWAYS train against the clock.
For your dog an experienced handler would be the best. Try to hide, but change your hiding-place all the time, your dog shouldn´t know where you are ( we use the blinds, trees... ), once in a while come out and praise, but always from the left front, never from behind. For the beginning don´t train too long...
Have a lot of fun - training 3 times the week up to the middle of october and your dog should gait well and you should be fit

I forgot to mention - don´t forget the gun shots calibre 6 mm ( some dogs don´t care about 9 mm, but are afraid of 6 !!! ), showing teeth and testicles, and last but not least the measuring...

I had help training Echo to gait.  One person took her and ran.  Another person ran in front of her with the ball on a string, teasing.  I stood in the center of a very large area and they ran around me.  I continually gave the command "Trot".  When she gaited properly I gave verbal praise.  When she was off gait I would calmly say "No" until she got it right, then more praise and the ball.  Your dog is going to pull like a sled dog at first so the one holding your dog will need to make a correction on this behavior.  Don't get discouraged. He will get it eventually. The problem is finding someone who is in good physical condition to run with your dog.  It helps to have young, athletic people to run your dog for you.  Once your dog understands what you want, you can take a long line and let the dog trot around you, counter clock wise to keep the command fresh in his head, very similar to lunging a horse.  Good luck! 

So, how is the gaiting training going?  Getting anywhere with your dog?  Keep at it.  Judges hate seeing dogs that come into a ring that are not ring trained.  Best of luck.

all 4 are excellen dvd's and instruct about conformation, locomotion ad V-GSD-3 and V-GSD-4 covers training and fitting for a German style show.



http://www.caninetrainingsystems.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=V-GSD-3

http://www.caninetrainingsystems.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=V-GSD-4


http://www.caninetrainingsystems.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=V-GSD-1

http://www.caninetrainingsystems.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=V-GSD-2


With this information, you can be confident of what you have and that he/she is ready for the ring!