using heel

[zeus vonkircher]

We have been working more and more on zeus' training and he is doing awesome! instead of using the word heel does anyone use anything different?
michelle :D

[flyballmom]

I use "heel" to mean the obedience command. I use "let's go" in a couple ways...to tell my dogs we're just out for a walk, no need to heel, and also if they're pulling like idiots, I REALLY quick head in the opposite direction and say "let's go."

I use "come" as the obedience come and sit in front, and "here" to mean come to me but just me in close proximity, close enough to grab a collar or harness.

I'm in Fresno, what obedience trainer are you guys using?

[zeus vonkircher]

hi beth
no one right now, but in the past we were seeing melody. We just started using the prong and he doing great on it, the only thing was nathan wanted a different word rather than heel to slow him down when he gets ahead. Other wise he is doing great on every thing else :p
thanks
michelle

[flyballmom]

I use Mel, too. Do I remember a post from Nathan saying you guys don't like her? You might like her partner Liz better, she a little less of a drill sergeant and cuts the dogs a little more slack. With Mel it, if she says something that offends the person, she doesn't care, it's all about the dog. She's mellowed a TON over the years if you can believe that! Are you guys going to show Zeus? Melody recently e-mailed me the name of a friend of hers that handles Rotts.

[zeus vonkircher]

beth
not sure if we are going to show him yet. Its not that melody was harsh we both felt like she had it in for rotts! and i also thought when we put zeus in her class he was just board out of his mind because he knew almost everything she taught. One day in class he fell asleep he was also her demo dog for everything. Nathan and I will have to come check out your class and meet your dog!

[lblax]

Originally Posted by zeus vonkircher

We have been working more and more on zeus' training and he is doing awesome! instead of using the word heel does anyone use anything different?
michelle :D

fuss (pronounced foose)

[excellrott]

I use 'back up' when my dogs get ahead or pull, with just a tiny reminder not to walk so fast on the collar. Also good for when they back me into a corner in my office by laying so close to the chair and desk or when they get too close to people who don't nessasarily like big dogs. :)

[flyballmom]

Hmm...I really don't think she has it in for Rotts. She LOVES Charleigh, and has passed on lots of positive stories about other Rotts. If Zeus was used as her demo dog, Mel was impressed with him, believe me!! BUT...if you guys didn't care for her, then maybe you need to see someone else. The fact that Zeus was bored speaks highly of the work you and Nathan have done with him at home. I've been thru basic obedience with Mel with several different dogs over the years. As my knowledge increases, I find that yes, my dogs have a huge head start over most of the dogs in class. By the time my dogs get to basic, they know sit, down, how to walk on a leash, etc. Most of the people going to basic ob classes are totally clueless. As you move on to more advanced classes, that gets better. My favorite was Performance Class. We learned dumb tricks...bang bang dead dog, wave, bow...a bunch of stuff. We were just starting Utility Class last year when Charleigh tore her ACL and we had to quit. I'm rambling...don't mean this to sound like hard sell for the trainer. :)

[VON KIRCHER]

Originally Posted by lblax

fuss (pronounced foose)

where did you get fuss from?

[SABELLESMOM]

From German...it means foot. ;)

[lblax]

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/languag1.htm

[Luvs]

I use Fuss for formal heeling. When going for a walk I say "lets go" and they are just supposed to walk without pulling but can walk in front of me.
When Akasha is pulling or trying to go ahead of me I tell her easy.

[cryjay]

I am not german but I do teach both my dogs in German. If I want one of them to heel I do not use the word "fus" that is their command to come to me, instead, I tell them to walk Si nette (sp?). It works great with us!

[Judi W]

"heel" no matter what word you are using, is a very specific command. It sounds as if you are looking for a way to have the dog know it is to be near, but not in formal heel position. You can use anything you wish. I use "by me" which means I want the dog about 3 feet or so and loose lead (the dogs do not confuse it with the "bye" used in herding). FBM uses let's go. Do not use your formal command unless that is what you indeed want or you devalue the command. Dogs do understand the use of informal language and formal commands, but you should not interchange the words. My informal commands are usually multiple words, formal commands single words.

[cryjay]

Iblax, I found that website rather interestingthat you have posted. I chose to train our dogs in German for several different reasons, the main being on the attack command, however it is interesting to see how just a slight change in the English language affects how you say your command in German towards your dog. I was taught by a German but this is what I found interesting; On the website it says "bleib" for the stay command I use "bleiben" for stay there. Neat I will be looking some at that site to see all of the differences in how I use commands with my dog and the German language and see what that site has to say. I have never come accross a converter site :)