Now this made me smile

Spudlet

Spudlet

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Was looking at the requirements for the various grades that the Gundog Club awards, and saw this:

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HEEL 1: The handler is required to walk his dog at heel without a lead from the line to the 20-yard sit marker. Spaniel heelwork is not expected to be precise.

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Good job really
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PMSL - I would love to see something similar 'just because dog is not staring up into your face maniacally to the extent that it might just fall down an uncovered manhole if dog isn't careful, does not mean dog is not heeling'
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LOL - some of the obedience collies must develop neck problems walking like that
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I actually think that with a bit of work we could do Grade One - this is what you have to do:

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HEEL: The handler is required to walk his dog on a loose lead from the line to the 15 yard sit marker. Maximum 10 points for the heel.

SIT: The handler is required to sit the dog at the 15 yard marker with one command, remove the lead, and to return to the line without the dog. . Maximum 10 points for the sit

STAY: The dog must remain seated for 30 seconds. The handler is allowed to give the dog one ‘stay’ reminder either before returning to the line, or from the line if he wishes to do so. Maximum 10 points for the stay

RECALL: The handler will be required to recall the dog from the line by voice or whistle without undue delay and to replace his lead without fuss. Maximum 10 points for the recall.

RETRIEVE NO 1 A single marked retrieve on land and in clear view at 15 yards. Maximum points 20

RETRIEVE NO 2 A single marked retrieve on land and in clear view at 20 yards. Maximum points 20

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Not just collies, we have to do that looky uppy stuff too
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anything else denotes a lack of focus, meh.
Oh well, he stays to heel and doesn't tank off, dogs can obey by listening to voice and reading body language without having to stare all the time, IMO.

But we don't do retrieve. Yet
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I think you could do that test easily. When you have a goal to reach, I find it sharpens you up no end!
 
It would be the heel and sit that would get us. He gets all carried away and needs checking every so often on the lead, and he has issues with sitting every so often - he needs to know what's in it for him, which I get the feeling is not abnormal for Cockers...
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The stay, and retrieves, easy peasy, and as long as I am allowed a sneaky bit of chicken in my pocket, the recall too (never thought I'd say that!)

WHY do GSDs need to be doing that? How are they supposed to guard anything or anyone if they've fallen down a hole due to walking like they've got a neck brace on?
 
That will just take lots and lots and lots of repetition, but in short bursts, and you can do it in the house too.

When you heel, when I stop, you sit, with no vocals, that is just the way it is.

If you can get away with it...when I was training, when it was coming time to stop, and when I stopped, I would shuffle/scuff my feet or make a particularly heavy stop. Toned it down to the extent that it was just a wee scuff with one foot.
Could also alternate it with clearing your throat or making some other almost imperceptible move. Unless the judge is particularly wise to this or is on top of you during the test, you can get away with it
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in my discipline, it does count as handler help but it is a matter of the dog knowing what you mean, but no-one else noticing.

When you lead check, you can make a little noise like 'ssss' or clear throat or sniff or something.

Sorry, that sounds wild sneaky, doesn't it
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I am not sure about the origin of the lookiness, it certainly wasn't about years and years ago, maybe to take the focus off the helper/criminal/decoy in the later stages, so that the dog would not bolt because it was so fixated on the chase and the apprehension.
Interestingly the judge last year said he doesn't actually like the obsession with looking up and says it can show insecurity rather than confidence and training for such can hide a multitude of other sins like shyness and aggression etc.
 
Yes, very sneaky
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He can do it all indoors, we need to practice more outdoors now! I think I may have found a trainer, just need to have a proper chat with her when I get home
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Lol at the spaniel allowance. I too hate heelwork where the dogs are wrapped round the handlers leg, if you watch the obedience at Crufts or similar high level the handler can hardly walk.
I am sure in working trials years ago they did not encourage this sort of heelwork although now it also seems to be what they are looking for. Imo any decent working protection type dog should be looking ahead for possible threats, not up at its handler. I knew a very successful security dog handler who didn't even like his dogs to heel, he trained them to walk slightly ahead so they could see trouble before him.
 
Spudlet - you MUST do grade one - I did it with Bruce who is about the least obedient spaniel around and he passed .......with distinction
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I almost passed out when they told me!
 
[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
HEEL 1: The handler is required to walk his dog at heel without a lead from the line to the 20-yard sit marker. Spaniel heelwork is not expected to be precise.

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:

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There is a reason for that!!

Spaniels are taught heelwork last, because of the expectation of them to work out in front (to some extent) independantly, so having a dog that automatically heels isn't much use! Hence a Spaniel will always heel about 2ft in front
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Labs on the otherhand should be taught to heel from day one, because they stay close, go out to retrieve, stay close etc etc.

So it's not just 'cos Spangles are stoooopid!
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[ QUOTE ]
Spudlet - you MUST do grade one - I did it with Bruce who is about the least obedient spaniel around and he passed .......with distinction
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I almost passed out when they told me!

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Based on this morning - we might pass it when he's about 25
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**Goes off muttering to remove bits of twig and bracken from hair to put swapsies advert on Wedgehedge**
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj3DBcpfMNQ
 
We had:

'ooooooh this is fun'
'oooooooooooh this is really fun'
'ooooooooooooooh in fact this is quite exciting!'
'ooooooooooooooooooooh in fact this is really exciting!!'
'oooooooooooooooooooooooooh this is REALLY EXCITING! YEEEEEHAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!'

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I'd have issues with that after Dogskool.

For us there is to be a clear difference between stay and wait and what you describe there is "wait", not "stay". I never knew the difference before Wednesday.

Apparently, when you ask for "stay" you are always required to return to the dog's side to "release". "Wait" can be followed by a recall or any other number of subsequent commands at distance or close to.

Interesting! I like the "attach the lead without fuss". I guess jumping up isn't permitted?!
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