Signals

[Snicklefritz]

Nice video, and I have no quarrel with any of it. But, I have a comment or two that may be helpful (big surprise...heh?)

1) I would do the same setup (baseball), and throw the ball, but work on steadiness first. Don't send the dog. Just praise and walk out to the pitcher's mound and praise the dog for sitting still. In that case, actually being sent for the dummy becomes the reward for sitting until sent.

2) I agree with Judy about using big motions for young dogs. Don't hesitate to do a little crab walk in the beginning until the dog begins to get it.

3) Make your cast motion slower and more deliberate than this trainer is doing...and hold that arm out there on the 'over' cast. Remember, the dog has much more peripheral vision than you do, and he can see that arm for a long way. It will help him on the longer 'over' casts.

4) Teach your dog to take a 'back' cast first, and also, to turn to the right or left when taking the back cast. The ability to turn the dog away from distractions (suction) will save you in the field or hunt test.

My 2 cents.

Snick

[Hepe]

The tried and trusted methods have stood the test of time

You trying to tell me something?

Or me?

Helene the one pip woman

[Judy]

It was the 'time' reference I thought was a little dig maybe - you gotta watch these blokes, give 'em an inch.

As Snick said a little sideways 'crab' step can lead the dog in the right direction if it's a bit sticky when you first start direction signals or even when the dog is half a field away and unsure what you're asking.

[trekmoor]

I'm trying to mentally picture Judy signalling her dog ....... " She pulls her right leg in , she sticks her left leg out, she sticks out her left arm and wiggles her ass about , she does a lot of shouting and a lot of cursing too and that's wot it's all about !"
[chorus line] "Oh ! Redirect the doggie, oh! redirect the doggie , oh! redirect the doggie, that's wot it's all about , See !"

Wullie

[Hepe]

Yep, springtime allright. *nodnods*

[Judy]

Don't worry Helene, Wullie is only jealous, it's a long time since he was young enough to do these things. Now he can just about wave a white flag to one side or the other, on a good day.

[Hepe]

Don't worry Helene, Wullie is only jealous, it's a long time since he was young enough to do these things. Now he can just about wave a white flag to one side or the other, on a good day.