canine freestyle moves database
heel work…right turn
The right turn is a sharp 90 degree right turn on the spot. It is not curved. The handler does not walk around the dog. The dog, in heel position, moves forwards and turns with the handler adjusting his body to be square with the handler, thus maintaining heel position throughout the turn.
If trialling is a consideration, it is useful to always use the same footwork when executing turns. A suggestion for handlers with big dogs is to turn with the right foot first and for handlers with small dogs to turn with the left foot first. Whatever you decide, use consistent footwork in your turns. This consistency will aid the dog. Practise the footwork without the dog until it is automatic, i.e. muscle memory so you don’t have to think about it.
Initially the right turn is taught in the stationary position.
For canine freestyle it is easier for the dog if he is standing.
There are two parts to the right turn:
….. right turn on the spot,
….. right turn in motion.
Right Turn on the Spot
Here, the handler turns on the spot, that is, without moving forwards, while the dog moves forwards and pivots his back feet around to maintain position.
1. With the dog in heel position, get his attention.
2. Cue the word “heel”, turn/swivel to the right on the spot.
The dog should move forwards with his front paws to keep up with you
and pivot his back paws slightly to his left to maintain heel position.
3. As soon as the dog moves, maintaining position, stand still, click, then treat.
Make sure you reward in position.
Gradually build up the right turn to 90 degrees.
Practice this turn until the dog is comfortable and can do this with confidence.
Right Turn in Motion
Here the handler turns right while moving with the dog in a forwards direction. During the right turn the dog speeds up to match the handler’s pace to maintain heel position. The dog then resumes moving forwards with the handler maintaining heel position.
Prerequisite is “Start” and “Right Turn on the Spot”.
1. With the dog in heel position, get his attention.
2. Cue “heel” and take a step forwards with the dog, stop, turn right 90 degrees
on the spot and stand still. (You can cue “heel” again as you turn.)
3. As the dog moves to maintain position, click, then reward in position.
Practice this turn until the dog is comfortable and can do this with confidence.
When the dog is doing this well, increase the criteria to:
Cue “heel” and take a step forwards with the dog, slow down, turn right 90 degrees on the spot and take another step forwards. Stop and reward in heel position.
Once the dog can do this you can
….. build up the number of steps before and after the 90 degree right turn and
….. practice the turns at slow, normal and fast pace.
….. train in at least six different locations.
Keep training sessions short, so as to not “drill” the dog.
At the end of the training session play with a toy or ball with the dog to keep up his interest.
In training never do a right turn without having the dog’s attention first.
Note: Turning right, away from your dog can cause the dog to lag. After executing the right turn make sure the dog continues with you
at whatever pace you are doing and is maintaining heel position.
Troubleshooting
· If the dog cannot gradually right turn on the spot while stationary he does not yet understand the heel position.
Train more on position. Also, check the speed of your turn.
You may be moving too fast for the dog to be able to work out what he should be doing.
· If the dog is lagging on the right turn make sure you have his attention when you “start” and that he can take off with you.
Check the length and speed of your first step.
You may need to slow down to help the dog succeed and start at an right angle less than 90 degrees..
· Make sure you have the dog’s attention when you are about to execute the right turn.
· If the dog starts to lag after the right turn take one or two faster steps forward so that the dog starts to anticipate moving faster after a right
turn. You can also throw food or a toy forwards to keep the dog moving briskly in the forwards direction.
When the dog has learned to do right turns on the spot with precision and can do them fluently you can add some speed.
If the dog starts to come out of position, stop immediately. Do not continue hoping the next right turn will be better.
You do not want to allow the dog to practice crooked right turns.