Attentive heeling - Page 2

My trainers use methods similar to Ivan Balabonov. Pretty simple - starting from sit at heel position (no movement) ask for attention, with ball or tug in plain sight but down at side in right hand. Say dogs' name, or I use "watch", and when the eyes make contact (with my eyes) he is released "OK" forward and to the toy. I do not drop the toy to him - he gets up out of position - it is a release from position and attention to the toy. Or, I throw it. Either way, he is released first. Then, repeat. And, repeat, repeat, repeat - until the "watch" gets an instant rapt attention that does not waver - the dog has learned that in order to get the toy/food/praise (before any reward he gets released) - he must look at my face, meet my eyes. If his attention wavers, he receives only a "no", and when his attention is back, I say "yes" or "good" as a marker (like clicker training sort of). Then "ok" and release-forward-toy when his attention doesn't waver. THEN I start forward movement. Forward movement stops immediately with a "no" if attention leaves my eyes. I stop, "no", then "yes" with eye contact and continue walking (very very slowly at first). It progresses quickly from there. As I said - every trainer will have a different method. I like this method and will not claim it as my own - it is my trainers' Sean Rivera and also Kirby and Clare Hill - and Ivan Balabonov's. molly

Thanks for sharing Molly, always great to hear different methods. Animules...ah yes my other dog figured out how to do that as well, lol. She's retired from competition, we only train for fun, so I found it more amusing than anything.

Taking the toy themselves - yes I had one of those - Eagle's mother Ike - she was a great dog - but not easy. She would work super for the toy for a time, then decide for herself when it was time for the release - and she would take the toy. She was big and strong enough, and I was inexperienced enough, that she could do that - she would just simply take it - out of my hand, or out of my pocket - if the pocket was deep or zipped closed (tried all that) she would simply take the pocket and the ball. If the ball was hidden somewhere else, she would "mug" me for it - not in aggression, but it was very difficult to get her back under control without my shirt or pockets being ripped off. I ended up figuring out (probably too slowly) that in order to work her, I could not carry the toy on my person. It was always somewhere else on the field - go-out place or somewhere else - she would work her heart out for the release that would allow her to go get it - crazy ball drive and strong dominant dog? Yep - and a great dog to learn to be a WAY better handler. Not for the faint of heart! ps - corrections or "force" only made her stronger, didn't phase her at all. Super dog, not a polite or mannerly bone in her body. I miss her. molly

Thanks Molly

I would have sold my grandmother for Ike. :-D