I have stumbled across a training problem (quite literally)!

[Patches]

All those of you with Spaniels.....don't laugh!

We've got to practice heel work on the lead. Harvey walks really nicely on the lead and is starting to work/stay more at heel.

However, I've hit a snag. How do those of you with Spaniels manage to avoid stepping on their ears constantly when you're walking them at heel?

It seems to be all I ever do! His superior (cough) gundog nose is always on the ground, his ears dragging alongside.

 

[Spudlet]

My trainers told me off for letting him sniff about when walking at heel - try encouraging hiom to focus on you more with something yummy in your hand (hotdog sausage works very well for this purpose

)

The trainers told me often competitive obediance people will encourage their dogs to play with the end of the lead so it becomes their toy, and they focus on it, although they did say that this had the regrettable side effect of making the dogs very naughty when walking on the lead in everyday circumstances!

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

ROFLMAO!!!!

I know you said don't laugh but I can't help it!!

Never managed to do 'proper' heel work with St Sweep or Kira before him

- they always trundled just ahead of me so I never trod on their ears

- they of course trod on them all the time

- and made themselves fall over because of it........

TBH I was never that bothered it wan't perfect

- they were both good enough for me - the trainer I took St Sweep to had GSD's and collies and made it clear that she didn't really like any other kind of dog so had very low expectations of the rest of the class anyway!!

 

[Spudlet]

The Gundog club do say that spaniel heelwork is not expected to be precise...

Henry does quite a good off-lead heel (until something like a bunny pops up

) but he will wander out ahead until I give an 'aHEM!' at which he looks guilty and waits for me to catch up

 

[Patches]

That theory leads to another issue.

If I were to hold a treat for him, or indeed even so much as look at the treat pouch, Harvey will proceed to bounce up and down alongside me barking incessantly! He likes to remind me, as it is, when he feels it's time he got his next treat!

 

[Spudlet]

lol lol lol oh Harvey...

When I hold a treat for Henry, I make sure he knows I have it but keep it closed in my hand and keep walking, no matter how much bounding or nibbling he does to try and get it - he only gets his sweetie whe he has behaved like a civilised member of canine society. He has learned that the only way to get his sweetie is to behave himself nicely, as otherweise I just ignore him and keep walking until he settles down.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Bugger me Spudlet

- you must do some long walks......

 

[Spudlet]

 

[CorvusCorax]

Forget about your hand then and make it about your pocket - that is where the food should be coming from so make him look up at it.
Today I had B's ball on a rope poking out of a large left hand pocket, to keep him interested, as an example.

A lot of the dogs competing at Schutzhund (I know it is a different discipline

) bounce and bark during the heelwork and do most of it on their back legs, wagging their tails like mad - this shows 'joy' in work and is much preferable to a dog distracted by smells, sights, sounds - I'd go for barking and exciteable and 'with' you rather than switched-off