Any Ideas on how to speed up YOUR pace - Page 3

Regarding the figure 8 the handler can make adjustments to keep pace with the dog.  On the left turn in the group the handler walks slightly faster; on the right turn or circle the handler slows down slightly to keep pace with the dog in the figure 8. 

Jim

 

In AKC you will get docked for adjusting the pace to fit your dog. You will be able to get away with a bit of it in SchH or other venues, as long
as it's not too obvious.

I always train the dog to adjust his/her pace to keep up with me. I keep the pace and my footwork the same in all of the heeling, including
the figure 8. The dog should slow down to the left and speed up to the right. This way, the dog knows what to expect. Consistent pace and circle
size, will also allow you to pattern train & make this exercise rote.

Footwork and consitent pace also applies to left, right, about turns and the halt. The dog needs to adjust for each, but if you have your footwork down, it's actually helpful to the dog, because they are cues as to what is coming up. It's especially helpful during the heeling pattern in AKC, because you don't know what the pattern is until the first team goes in that morning.

When all of this comes together, heeling by a team in syc flows seemlessly.

Footwork also works well for pivots, when doing gloves & articles.





 

Shady,
I have never done any AKC obedience, so your post makes sense.  In SchH it is not unusual to vary your pace ever so slightly in the group or use a little body language.  A lot goes on when the judge isn't looking.

On every turn you make you can easily give your dog a signal when you are about to make a turn left or right and with the judge looking on. When the dog is young and learning just make a slight sound each and every time you make a turn, the Dog will be aware of this and react accordingly all you do is to make a slight sound like a hiss every turn you make. The Judge and no one else can here it but the dog will. there are many little tweaks you can do
Steve1

I know a lot can go on Jim, when the judge isn't looking. I think we've all seen it.

Steve, you can do that on the field,  but be careful when the judge is close-by, eh?

Keep in mind, footwork is body language, but is just more subtle than some other things. I've seen people
chew gum, as it mimcs food in their mouth for the dog.

And well, if you don't care much about how you look as a team or your score, or even hate obedience, and just want to pass, then
you can get by without doing too much of anything.

Before dogs, I rode dressage, so it's hard for me to not care about doing well in competition.



 

Thanks everyone for such amazing ideas for footwork, ect.

steve1: Any autoable noise heard is considered a command and points will be deducted (at least 5 I believe) I kid you not the judge was like 4 feet away from me at any given time during the CD. So I couldn't rely on autoable noise (even low ones including breathing techniques).

I saw the gum thing too, then I saw them asked to leave the ring. lol!

I have some things to adjust and Jyl is very right I do need to lift my head (which I can do without the dog, I just have a tendency of wanting to stare at her when shes beside me... No no on my part) She is also right that if I lift my head I get a far better heel out of my dog. I am doing the metrinome and adjusting my footwork and bodylanguage. :)

I love the discussion on this thread! :) Thank you all very much.

You can get away with it no problem i used to just a small sniff with Goran the dog could here it  just like breathing in through the nose when i turned but the judge would not have heard it
Or just a slight intake of breath hardy audablie even to yourself but again the dog can here it
Steve1