6 replies to this topic

[Dirtdogs]

I need a littl advice on the drop on recall. That is the last thing we need to really get down pat! Toby will drop on signal- if sitting still across a ring. Once called he is all but on me before the drop actually starts. If I try food on the floor- it undoes all the "no sniffing the floor" work we have done. I tried using a bar jump laying on the floor- like a target- he just stepped over that...
any suggestions?
Kristi

[kintra]

For Zach's drop on recall, I put him on a 6 foot lead. I stepped out to the end of it and called him. I immediately gave his down command and could correct immediately so that he got the idea. I found it was easier to do on lead because there was immediate correction (plus he runs on his recalls when he's offlead, but won't on lead).

Also various times around the house/yard I'll give him his down command and make sure I can be there to reinforce it.

Good luck!

[bradl]

Different dogs seem to respond to different things. The bar never did much for us either. Some random things to try... With Stella I sometimes have to run at her with the command to get her to stop in her tracks (she's one that comes flying in at warp speed). After a a rep or two with success I can stay in position. One thing I saw that boggled my mind - when a handler leaned over a bit at the waist when giving the drop command, her dog ignored her and kept coming; when she stood up straight to give the command, it dropped immediately. I know you're not supposed to lean forward anyway (rules) but it sure is my instinct to do so!

Another thing I've seen is a handler dropping or throwing a set of keys (at their *own* feet, or maybe halfway between them and the dog ... but never AT the dog) to startle the dog a bit, I guess to break its RUN RUN RUN train of thought and pause a moment to hear and process the Drop command.

[cairnsby3]

I agree with Brad, move toward them as you give the command. Shiner needed both the word and the signal and the move forward for awhile. After we had worked just on the word, I still sometimes took a step toward him and he finally got it. Now if he just liked his dumbell!

[bradl]

This is a (hopefully amusing) aside: when we were first teaching Haggis Down many years ago, I would sometimes step on the leash to nudge his head downward (without bending over myself). Very quickly all I would have to do was lift my foot up off the floor as if I were about to step on his leash and he would drop like a stone. Essentially, lifting my right leg up became a signal for Down.

When teaching him drop on recall, I would almost involuntary lift my leg up when I said "DOWN". It's illegal as it's a signal on top of a command - my instructor said I could only get away with it if I walked into the ring like the fellow from Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks.

Always an adventure, training Cairns

[eastofeden]

Nice that you have a zippy dog I have to use a signal, voice command and move forward to get my girl to drop on the recall. I faded the move forward...and soon will fade one of the other commands.

I have seen the keys method used..just make sure you don't have a really soft dog, as you may upset your recall. I could get away with this with my girl. But it would traumatize my boy..so would not try that with him.

I have a friend with a zippy vizla...she has to anticipate the judges command and signal the drop before the judge signals because if she waited the dog would already be there.

Brad I can see you high stepping around the ring...just make sure you wear your bowler hat!

Edited by eastofeden, 17 September 2010 - 05:22 AM.

[Dirtdogs]

thanks for all the help. I will try a few of those ideas. I too have a "zippy" dog thta comes in at warp speed! I think that is why it has been such a challenge for us to get this one done.
and... sometimes it feels like that funny walk when we are in the ring:)
Thanks all for the help... I'll keep you posted as to our progress.
Hopefully I will soon have an update on a GN or CDX !!!
Kristi