Learning something new

In Heelwork To Music there are 10 different heelwork positions. A good heelwork dog can keep these 10 positions in all paces and directions, but it takes time to learn and so far Gollum has only been taught the two basic ones; heelwork on the right side of the handler and heelwork on the left side of the handler. 

Yesterday I started teaching him a 3rd position; in front of the handler across the handlers body. You can see Gollum's mum Jazz work in that position here.

Yesterday I just helped Gollum into the position and rewarded him for staying there. That's what we did again today, but Gollum seemed to understand really well, so I put the platform/target in and started working on turns. 

This is Gollum on the platform/target. There is a small video of his progress too. You can see it here. Gollum's job is to keep his front legs on the platform and move his hind part to keep up with me and maintain the position.

I take a step and when Gollum follows me, I make a small click sound to tell him that he is correct and then he has a treat as a reward. He is doing really well.

After 5 - 10 repetitions he gets a ball and we play.

Not the most exciting picture ever, but I hope that with the video and the explanation to go with it,  it will still make an interesting blip.

So my day... work, dog walk, dog training and now I am home and starving.... Dinner time :-)

See you tomorrow
Emmy and the Hazyland Boys