The Wall - Page 1

How is (or I guess the appropriate wording should be "how was" if referring to GSDs) the wall trained? By that I mean a wall that's about 6 ft. or higher where the dog actually has to leap up to get to the top, versus just dragging themselves up. I know I needed to boost my dog up a couple of times to teach him how to climb a ladder, would this be along the same vein?

motivation.  That is why drive is essential.

I have seen some old videos (this is the straight up and down wall) where there was a pulley above the top of the wall with a rope through it and the dog is just yanked up!  Kind of brutal!  If you are talking about the "A" frame, ours has a hinge at the top and you can lay it flat and teach the dog as a young dog to go on it to get the ball or toy and then you just gradually raise it up as the dog is comfortable with going on/over it.  Sometime in training you need to have someone help you and give the dog a sharp correction as you tell the dog "hup" so that the dog learns it MUST go over the wall, there is NO OTHER OPTION!  But the correction only comes after the dog knows what you are asking of it!  Teaching the dog not to jump from the top of the wall is the hardest part, I think!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

Alot of old school french guys use that method to. The dogs learns how to scramble up that wall real fast. Over there though alot of them do things the fast way to get as many ring 3's in their resume. They take it as quite the competition.

The best way (and I think the easiest) is to teach the a-frame and then gradually walk the a frame in until it is almost a verticle wall. If the get to that point motivationally by then they enjoy jumping and the rest is easy

I start out drop kicking mine like a football punt. Best if started at 8 weeks or ASAP, as the dog grows it takes more "power" to get him over the wall. Sorry since Don didn't take this one, I had to. 

4pack,

That is funny!!  I have has some thoughts about teaching the wall that way!!!  You just have to make sure you punt them properly, I broke a toe once trying this method, but then again I guess you should not wear Crocks to punt in!!  

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

Oh sorry I didn't clarify, I ALWAYS use the jump command when I punt the dog. Otherwise it is just abuse. I also use this method teaching "load up" as well. For those dogs who get up to the top and hang on the wall, not wanting to go down the otherside, I keep a long stick handy to poke in their ass, if they pause for more than a second. I also recomend using very heavy boned dogs that are dysplastic in the elbows. Make sure they do the wall in high reps daily!