Lyra – 10 months – Adding a Hand Target

by Denise Fenzi | Jun 19, 2012 | Lyra | 4 comments

Lyra is learning to sit automatically in heel position.  I'm also starting to teach her a left hand finish. In both cases, it's helpful to have a hand taget; I ask Lyra to touch the side of her muzzle against the side of my hand.  In this way, I can place her in perfect heel positon simply by holding my hand exactly where I want her muzzle. Lyra rocks back in heel position, so I'm using the hand target to help her understand that when I halt I want a sit AND I want her muzzle on my hand.  Since it's not possible to rock back and keep her muzzle on my hand, I expect it will eliminate the rock back sit. I can also use the hand target when we are heeling, and I want to give her a bit of help with keeping her steady and in the "pocket" next to my side.  If I pull my hand in closer then she will come closer.  If crowding ever becomes an issue, I will use the hand target to pull her away from me. For now, I simply want to fix her rock back sits, and also to tighten up her heel position a little bit at a time. I'm also using the hand target to help her learn a left hand finish and cleaner fronts. Lyra is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij5mgLBGx5Y Here, cisu shows the finished product http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLrH94KqAYw

4 Comments

  1. judyC
    judyC on June 19, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    that’s fine for a Terv. But what would you use to accomplish these things with a small dog (about 14″)?

    Reply
    • dfenzi
      dfenzi on June 19, 2012 at 12:49 pm

      I do the same thing; bend when it’s time to stop and the dog is going to sit. My dogs learn this target early when they are no taller than 14″.

      Reply
  2. Dillon Nelson-Barry
    Dillon Nelson-Barry on June 19, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    Would you show how you tained this…from the very beginning? Thanks

    Eve aka Dillonsmom

    Reply
  3. Dillon Nelson-Barry
    Dillon Nelson-Barry on June 19, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    OOPs sorry….went to the Cisu video and you link to the training of this. Thanks so much for your posts and your videos!!!!

    Eve aka Dillonsmom

    Reply

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