canine freestyle moves database
“Heel” is a position the dog assumes in relation to the handler. The dog maintains this position regardless of whether the handler is stationary or moving. Heel work is fundamental to canine freestyle. Good heel work is a dance in itself!
Refer to Basic Positions for the most common heel positions.
In heel work, the position is taught first while the handler is stationary. Heel positions can be taught using
a technique called “Squaring the dog”.
When the dog can assume the given heel position, precisely, on verbal cue, from any direction around the handler, the dog is ready to be taught heeling on the move, that is, maintaining that position as the handler moves in any given direction.
teaching heel on the move
Heel on the move, starts with the first step of the handler.
Given there are several heel positions and four major directions the handler can take (forwards, passing left, backwards and passing right) the method described here applies to all positions and all directions. For simplicity, the following will assume left hand heel.
The Elements of Heeling
Heeling consists of the following components:
· heel position
· left turn
· right turn
· left about turn
· right about turn
· normal pace forwards
· slow pace forwards
· fast pace forwards
· halt (stationary, sit or stand or drop) but parallel to the handler.
· putting it all together – the heel dance
Advanced heel work includes:
· moving backward
· stepping left (side-pass left)
· stepping right (side-pass right)
· 270 & 360 left turns
· 270 & 360 right turns
Note, depending on which of the 8 heel positions the dog is in, each of the above elements will have a different movement result.
This technique relies on the handler using his feet and hands to teach/guide the dog how to move into a given, precise position. Each position is given a unique cue. When the dog understands a given position cue he will put himself into that position when cued.
Using a food lure in the hand or simply a hand target, move the hand parallel to the ground in front of the dog’s nose. The dog is led away from the handler. To facilitate this the handler steps out with the appropriate foot so that the dog can be moved as far away from the handler as possible. The other foot remains anchored.
At the end of the stretch, the dog is turned towards the handler and guided in a straight line with a straight spine into the correct and precise position. As the dog is being guided into position the foot that stepped out slides back, with the dog, next to the anchored foot.
The dog results in correct, precise position and is rewarded in that position. (The position can be marked prior rewarding, if using a marker.) The reward should be delivered to the dog with his head up and facing the direction he should be facing (or wherever you want his head to be). If the dog is turning his head/neck to look at where the treat is coming from, reward so that his head is not turned, but is straight. Eventually he will realize he will get the treat faster if his head remains straight (or wherever you want his head to be).
The handler then turns to set the dog up for another trial and the exercise is repeated.
Once the dog understands the behavior required and will stand square in position, a cue can be introduced. The order of events is:
Move dog into position
Reward in position
Eventually the dog will anticipate the movement expected to follow the given cue and will bypass the “squaring” process and put himself into position. This is when you know he understands that position.
To illustrate the “squaring” technique, the Face to Front from Left Side Heel Position will be used here.The Elements of Heeling
Remember, depending on which of the 8 heel positions the dog is in, each of the above elements will have a different movement result.
In this workshop, you may like to teach just one of the mentioned elements in one of the 8 heel positions.
Points to note in this illustration:
The dog is coming from the left hand side, so the left foot remains anchored while the right foot is moved forwards to assist the dog to move out.
The bigger the dog the further you need to stretch your arm in order to give the dog enough room to approach you in a straight line with a straight spine and result "squared in position".
As the dog is coming from the left, the right hand is used to help move the dog out. Some people may like to use their left hand, but if you have a dog that does not like your hands or arms looming over him, he will not follow the target hand in the direction indicated. He may bow/swerve out, hence he will be doing something you do not want.
Once the dog is in position you can "mark the behavior" if using a marker.
Once the dog is in position you can reward from either hand. It is important to reward in position.
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Here is a video illustrating squaring the dog into the Front position from the left hand heel position.
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The principle behind the “Squaring the Dog” technique is the same for all orientations/positions:
The handler steps out with one foot and with one hand guides the dog away from him;
Turns the dog around towards him (never away from him)
Guides the dog into the required position so that the dog stands straight (square) and precise.
Dog is rewarded in correct position.
If the dog comes in crooked, keep your anchored foot anchored, continue facing the direction you were facing when you started and repeat the squaring process. Do not turn to accommodate the dog. The dog is learning to position himself to you. Repeat the squaring process until the dog comes in correctly.
If the dog continually comes in crooked,
Check that he has been given enough distance in which to turn around and approach with a straight spine in a straight line to the required position. Bigger dogs need more distance.
Also check that the hand guiding the dog is at nose height and moving parallel to the ground. The hand should move slowly enough for the dog to be able to follow, yet fast enough for it to be interesting.
Once the dog is in “position” check where your hands are. If your hand(s) are not in the correct position the dog cannot be expected to be in correct position either. The dog’s head followed your hand.
If the dog comes into position and then takes a step backwards, check that no part of your body is looming over him. If you need to, lean away from him so that he is confident coming in close. Reward in position which should be close to you. Some dogs do not like your arm over them and will shy away. With practice these dogs may become desensitized to your hand moving over them. If not, use another technique for teaching position.
For each position ensure you always present that part of your body you want the dog to target for that position. If you lean or turn to look at the dog by twisting your head and shoulders you are changing what he sees (changing context), hence learning will be slower because training has become less efficient.
If he still won’t come into position, use an x pen set up as a narrow “corridor” with you standing in it so that the dog has no choice but to approach in a straight line and attain correct position.
If using a marker (clicker or verbal marker), only click when the dog is in precise position. Reward in position. If you find learning is taking a long time, have someone look at what you are clicking. Most likely you will not be clicking correct position every time.
Don’t put a cue on this behavior until the dog can consistently be guided in correctly.
If using the clicker, ensure your training is clean, that is
When giving the cue, ensure nothing else is happening, e.g. any movement by you;
When luring/targeting the dog into position, nothing is happening, e.g. reaching for a the treat;
When you click nothing else is happening, e.g. reaching into the treats bag; and finally
When you give the treat, deliver it in the right place; e.g. with the dog’s head facing the correct direction for that position.
Orientations/positions are high maintenance behaviors that need to be highly reinforced with high quality rewards and practiced frequently. The greater the history of high value reinforcement in the positions the more the dog will enjoy moving into those position: don’t be surprised if he offers those behaviors and when he does, ALWAYS reward.
One of the difficulties of these positions for the dog is, that in order for the dog to be 'straight' and in correct position to the handler, it is important for the dog to learn to adjust his back legs.
When the dog starts to understand the position and puts his head in the correct position but not the back legs, treat only on corrective movement of the back legs. Eventually the dog learns what it means to be straight.
To proof all these exercises the dog needs to be taught to assume any one of these positions from anywhere around the body. Examples are:
side-to-front - dog moves from handler's RHS to stand face-to in front of handler
rear-to-front - dog moves from behind the handler (via L or RHS) to stand face-to in front of handler
front-to-left - dog moves from front to handler's LHS to stand face-to-left
side-to-left - dog moves from RHS (via back or front) to handler's LHS to stand face-to-left
front-to-right - dog moves from front to handler's RHS to stand face-to-right
left-to-right - dog moves from LHS (via back or front) to handler's RHS to stand face-to-right
side-to-rear - dog moves from handler's RHS to stand face-to-back behind handler
front-to-rear - dog moves from front of handler (via L or RHS) to stand face-to-back behind handler
Once the dog understands a position you can start teaching the dog to maintain that position while you move forwards, backwards and sideways.
Note: The Squaring technique used for each position is described in detail in this database and can be accessed via Fundamental Orientations and then drilling down to the specific position you want.