You’re a Team

Many of you are finding the same challenge, and (if this makes you feel any better) this is a standard intermediate handler challenge.

Yes, we want the dog to take you down the track. No, we don't want you to pull the dog off when they are wrong. Yes, we want you to follow willingly. Yes, we want you to stop, stand still, and limit the search area when you know where the track is.

They all sound contradictory, even to me! So, I'll try to help.

When the dog is correct, he should feel just enough pressure to know you are back there, but his forward progress should not be impaired by you...except that you should not run. Yup, I ran a few steps with Fletch today--primarily because it was Gusto's fine line, and Fletch can pull it through my gloves, but also....if he's made a nice turn, I may run 2-3 strides to reinforce him. Fletch loves to move. I will wean this off as we develop as a team--you won't see me running a couple of strides when we are doing test prep. BUT, right now, that is, for him, a more powerful motivator than all the food and toys in the world. So I will use it, carefully.

Back to you guys: Just enough pressure that he knows you're back there. He's not out for a walk--he's working. And line tension is one way we communicate that to him.

When the dog makes a mistake, (which is going to happen, and doesn't mean anyone is bad) and tries to go check something out that isn't the track....stand still and hold your line. If moving with the dog, or letting the dog move, is positive reinforcement....and you let the dog take line to investigate what ever catches his attention....you are, by definition, positively reinforcing that off track investigation. If the dog casts, take line in...limit his options--and don't be fussy--if he makes an effort to take the track, reinforce it by following willingly. You might only take 1-2 steps--but those matter, and over time, they will pay off. If your dog is a bit more advanced, rather than taking those steps, stand still and give line, if the dog holds his (correct) line, step off after he's taken 5+ feet of line and follow willingly.

When you get to a turn (for most of you they are still marked), don't stop at the flag--follow your dog, KNOWING he should be showing loss of scent. SO LOOK FOR IT!!! It might be subtle--take it, and stand still. You know how far past the flag you walked--if you need to back up, do so when the dog is casting towards you (ie, don't pull him back, and for sure don't back up while letting line run). When you see him trying to take the new leg...GO WITH HIM. He can NOT take you down the leg until he's had enough reinforcement for making the decision to make the decision confidently. Confidence --dog putting tension on the line---comes from him having 100s of successes, where he found the scent and you went with him. We have to teach him to take us down the leg...and we do that by following willingly when he makes the effort. Again, you might only take 1-2 steps and then you'll have to stop while he hones in on the scent. That is OK!!!

I take lessons from my friend Kyla....and I can't tell you how many video review emails I've had from her that asked me why I'm so far away from my dog. I promise we will teach your dogs to work 40' from you. I will also promise they can't work at 40' unless they are damn near perfect at 6-10 feet. Please stay 10 ft or closer in training!!!

I strongly encourage you to work on your line handling skills without the dog! Line handling is like footwork in heeling--its a pain in the butt to work on, and it's critical to your success.

Feel free to ask questions below!