Attentive heeling - Page 1

Here's a video of my boy heeling with a little dose of distraction (relax she's my kid). For a dog that's bonkers for a ball I swear by this Gappay Profi vest (with the "ball delivery system") Hallmark K9 sells it: http://www.hallmarkk9.com There's many ways to teach the same behavior, and what works for one dog may not work for another. But this worked pretty good for me and mine. Just thought I'd share. We're not perfect yet but we're working on it. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lhkFS-S1wc

That looked pretty good, he seems really focused. Im not sure if I understand how that jacket works, it looked like the ball was coming from different places each time? Thats pretty cool .

The ball drops out of the bottom of the cup located on the left side of the chest. There's a cable you pull with your right hand at the bottom of the vest to release the ball. It is kind of hard to tell in the video plus instead of catching it, it kept bouncing off his teeth so he had to go to the ground for it.

I have seen these ball delivery systems advertised and wondered how well they worked. All of mine have a good drive for balls and my arm gets tired. While I'll save my final judgement when I get the opportunity to own and try one, I do see an advantage with these devices in the ability to deliver a reward without distracting the dog by moving one's hands. Bob-O

everyone has different ways of training attention - I have seen these vests and think it's a great idea, if you're teaching the dog to stare at the vest, pocket, or ball in sight. I train my dogs to look at my eyes, to maintain eye contact with me, even if I'm not looking back at them - they are looking at my eyes, my face. This attention to my face/eyes is the "path" for them to get the ball. I teach them, in order to get the ball, treat, whatever - they must look at my eyes. I can then hold the ball anywhere I want - it can be in any pocket, or in my hand - in plain sight - and they do not look at the ball, because they will not get the ball by looking at it - they will get the ball only if they look at my eyes. So anyway, every trainer/method is different - that is mine, so I wouldn't need the vest with the ball-pocket, though I do think it's a great idea for people who teach the dog to stare at the left chest - in trial, the judge would not take points for either path of attention, as both look the same to the observer. molly

everyone has different ways of training attention - I have seen these vests and think it's a great idea, if you're teaching the dog to stare at the vest, pocket, or ball in sight. I train my dogs to look at my eyes, to maintain eye contact with me, even if I'm not looking back at them - they are looking at my eyes, my face. This attention to my face/eyes is the "path" for them to get the ball. I teach them, in order to get the ball, treat, whatever - they must look at my eyes. I can then hold the ball anywhere I want - it can be in any pocket, or in my hand - in plain sight - and they do not look at the ball, because they will not get the ball by looking at it - they will get the ball only if they look at my eyes. So anyway, every trainer/method is different - that is mine, so I wouldn't need the vest with the ball-pocket, though I do think it's a great idea for people who teach the dog to stare at the left chest - in trial, the judge would not take points for either path of attention, as both look the same to the observer. molly

They work very well for some. Our one boy learned to release the ball himself whenever he wanted it. He now gets other rewards... -Tina

I have always wondered how when some dogs heel they have a set pattern/rythym if you watch eros von der mohnwiese for example. He sort of hops and a slight bounce.. do you think this is done by the handler or just how the dog has been accustomed to heeling.

Molly, I think your focus is the main point. Do you have a specific method for teaching it? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jonah

Haha, thats a good one animules, I can picture that in my head, rewarding himself.