Your views on 1 year old bitch...? - Page 1

Some may already know Xena or have seen her working.  For the others, I'd like your views and opinions on how to improve what I've got and how the next year might pan out for us, as she matures.  Any thoughts positive/negative are welcome.

This one in protection;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kMx8aqcBCHs

and this one in obedience;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=z4XBHFtO3fg

Thanks in advance

Gary

I didn't watch the obedience, only protection.

I understand the exercise of control, but there is not much to look at.   I don't care for the helper work after the dog gets the bite.   I understand that this is a PP dog and not sport, but everything is pressure, pressure and more pressure and then when the dog gets on the sleeve, the 6'6" helper plays with the dog. 

I just watched the OB video and I got to say I was distracted by all the compact cars!    How do you guys expect to have alternative fuels if we don't burn up all of the available oil? 

Dog is crooked in the heel position the whole time.  Watch when you reward, what hand you reward from and where the reward is when heeling.  To me it shouldn't matter where the reward is, the dog should be in the correct position.

Getting back to the compacts!  That restricts on the # of dogs unless you have a trailer.  You guys are saving left and right!

Gary,

She loves to work for you and looks very happy!  That is great.  I will only comment on the OB....  SHe is crooked throughout the heeling.  Rather than trying to fix it perhaps train something different.  If you have been rewarding from your right hand or right breast pocket or spitting food out of your mouth or whatever you did that has her crowding you, change that to the left side of your body.  I would go back to luring for the correct position and change your command.  If you were using heel, use fuss or left anything different.  Make it two different trained behaviors.  I think it would be much easier than trying to retrain with the same word.

Maybe, the crooked position does not even concern you.  for some people it is is a huge deal and for others, not so much.

What impressed me most was that she was a happy dog and happy to be working for you.  That was very nice to see.

Darcy

Thanks for the comments so far... much appreciated.

You're absolutely correct regarding the crooked heeling...it's something that seems to have become a problem over time.  I'm trying to correct it with left hand rewards and also more left turns and about turns... but it needs sorting..as it spoils the routine.

Here's another video for you to have a look at;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WkZBGAt3cZ4

Gives you an idea of her agility and scope for future work...