is SHE reminding ME how it is done??

[marisa]

Spent some time this morning going over some faily basic training stuff. Using the long leash, in my fenced back yard, I would tell Baby to sit and stay for several minutes, then give the command to come and stay at my side. Well, every single time she goes around me and sits at my left side, she does not come straight ahead, facing me. Instead she walks past me to my right, behind me and then sits on my left. Is this right, or did my hand surgery affect my memory as to how it should be performed? It's embarassing, but I'm not sure here folks! Thanks for your help:o

[spidey]

Do you mean she is finishing (coming around to sit at heel) without being asked to? She isn't fronting first?

If what I've described above is what she's doing then it's not correct - the dog should front on the recall (sit in front of you) and only finish when asked to do so. Many trainers hardly ever do the front and finish together because many dogs start to anticipate the finish and do it without being asked. I'd leave off the finish and work on the front for while, and then work on the finish as an exercise in itself.

(of course, this assumes that you want to do formal obedience, if you don't, then don't worry about it)

[Rott-Wiley]

I agree with everything that spidey said. You could practice short recalls (not more then 6 feet) and have her just come and sit squarely in front of you. Back up and do it again. After she gets that down and has that picture in her head, start working her with you taking a couple of steps to the right and next a couple to the left. This will reinforce it in her head that she needs to come and sit squarely in front of you. In a long run, this will pay off if you intend to show her in obedience.