"Compulsion" Heeling

[CajunsMom]

We are working on "compulsion" heeling in our club. I'm just curious. Do any of you do this and what do you use for compulsion. What are your experiences with it? I am getting good results using a small tug with my Malinois. Thanks for any information.

[Sansano]

Can you explain compulsion heeling? How far along are the dogs? Do they already know the proper way to heel?

[CajunsMom]

1st of all the dogs do know the proper way to heel and are fairly advanced in obedience. We are working on a what I guess I would call a nice "Schutzund" heel. The dog walking happily along with you with his head up and looking at you, sort of "wrapped" around your leg. We just started this last night so what we did was have the "item" that we were using up almost under our chin. We would heel for 10 or 12 steps and then break and give our dog the item for a good heel. Myself in particular.... I had a small tug and when my dog went these 10 steps looking at me the whole way I would throw the tug for him to get and then play a little tug with him. He really seemed to enjoy it and was heeling very nicely. We then repeated the exercise and increased the number of steps we took before giving them the item a little bit at a time. I am curious how other people do this and if maybe they have some better/other way to train this.

We are preparing for the 1st ever UKC / Service Dogs of America trial that will be held at our training facility the end of September to work out the "bugs" for the official titles for the protection program UKC is going to be offering. :D

Thanks :)

[Sansano]

I think you are doing just right. I don't see the compulsion in it but you are teaching same as I do. If the dog doesn't pay attention and is corrected I don't consider it compulsion since the dog already knows what to do and has been taught by way of drive. You are using the dog's prey drive to help it's focus. That's by far the best way to get a dog to do obedience IMO. Food is great but I love the focus I get with a tug. I learned a lot of this from a video called 'Buldiing Drive & Focus' by Bernard Flinks. Are you trialing for the BH or SchI? Good luck!:)

[Muckdogs]

That's not compulsion, it's inducive training. You are not making the dog do something you want it to do, it is doing it in attempt to gain reward. I'm glad to see you are using this technique, as it is a much better way to train versus compulsion. Properly and patiently done, it will produce better, longer lasting results. You can always tell the differernce between induction and complusion dogs. Wanting to do something as opposed to doign for fear of not doing it.

This is not to say that light compulsion will not be used in inductive training.

[Storm]

Nothing wrong with the technique and as posted the dog is doing the exercise through the drive stimulation. To the dog it's great, no compulsion in what you described. Main thing ensure that drive development is done in relation with the heel work, as in this case. Some people try move to quick with no regard to the dog's drive levels, development, age, etc. also considering the dog has drive to start out with. But so far sounds good.............. the dog must live in drive!;)

[DailyDouble]

If I am not mistaken that is proof and polishing. That is what I have called it anyway :D

[CajunsMom]

I called it compulsion heeling because that's what someone called it last night at training. I'm glad to know I'm doing the right thing what ever it is called. ;)

Originally posted by Sansano
Are you trialing for the BH or SchI

Neither

Originally posted by CajunsMom;)
We are preparing for the 1st ever UKC / Service Dogs of America trial that will be held at our training facility the end of September to work out the "bugs" for the official titles for the protection program UKC is going to be offering.

[Sansano]

Cool. Not to get off topic but can you explain this trial etc? I love hearing about new areas of working dogs. Is it AKC style obedience or Schutzhund type or ring sport or what? Thanks!


PS. Always looking for more stuff for my guys to do.:D

[CajunsMom]

Originally posted by Sansono
Is it AKC style obedience or Schutzhund type or ring sport or what?

It is NOT AKC it is UKC (United Kennel Club). This program is very much in it's infant stages. My trainer is working very closely with Service Dogs of America, which is the UKC affiliated club that is developing the trials and titles. The trials are going to be similar to Schutzund. The rules for the trials have not been published yet. The trial we are having is going to be a "work out the bugs" type trial. I don't think there will be any titles awarded at this trial but it would probably be a good time to come and see if it's anything you are interested in getting into. If you like, I can keep you posted as I know more.

Sandy

[babyray]

Just my 2 cents worth on heeling. Now that I am working with some Mondio folks I am seeing a lot of different teaching methods-it is very interesting!
One of the best handlers in the group teaches heeling in a way completely opposite from anything i have ever heard in all my years and different dogsports!
She teaches heel by always adjusting to her dog. How many times have I been yelled at for adjusting to my dog's position instead of making him adjust to mine!:D
She uses this in teaching and maintains that the dog learns the position this way and will begin to adjust to your movements once he knows his place. It must work-she is one of the top competitors in the world. Interesting.....

[MrsBoats]

How many times have I been yelled at for adjusting to my dog's position instead of making him adjust to mine!

Oh good, I'm not the only one. ;)

[Judi W]

That is very similar to the "binding" method that is often used. The dog is ALWAYS in correct position in the teaching phase so that eventually, it feels simply wrong to be any place else. Dogs learn by forming a picture in their mind and you want that picture to always be correct. However it is done (I use bait in the beginning and a short lead), have that picture form where the position is the movie that plays in the dogs mind and is always where you are going to want him to be for that specific command. They are the same design. If you don't give the dog too much lead to begin with, it won't be away from you so you have to step over.