[working-gundog] control commands have duration > GSP Forum

Unanswered Active Topics

Forums Search

Forums > Mailing Lists > working-gundog

Subject: [working-gundog] control commands have duration

Prev Next

You are not authorized to post a reply.

Author

Messages

cwalt

MH
Posts:180

10/10/2008 1:48 PM
I have always trained control commands such as the 'whoa', 'sit' and 'down' as having duration. That means the dog obeys the command until it is given another command or a releaser. With training exercises you start all control commands as being obeyed for varying times up to one minute. Since I always follow a command with another command I have never understood why so many obedience trainers use a 'stay' command as in 'sit -stay' or 'down-stay' since the 'stay' is totally superfluous. When you have extended the training of the control command to two minutes you can start walking out of the dog's line of sight to test obedience. The ideal is, of course, if you can command the dog to sit and then walk out of the dog's sight for 20 minutes and have the dog continue to obey the command until you return and give the dog another command. This is usually more difficult than getting the reflexive (unthinking) response to the command. To proof the command you stress the dog, perhaps by firing a couple of shots while out of the dog's line of sight, if the dog moves it isn't trained to the command. I like to train this in the house by putting the dog on sit and then going out of sight into the kitchen and stress the dog by scraping a plate with a fork. For long duration obedience to control commands the rule should be that the dog doesn't leave the spot; in other words the dog is obedient if I leave it in 'whoa' for 10 minutes and it sits down or lies down in place after a few minutes. If I leave the dog in one place for an extended time I always use the 'sit' or 'down' command but I practice the whoa for duration on occasion. It is fairly easy to correct the dog if necessary while training for duration obedience and the dog should obey the command calmly and without whining. For polishing or proofing the duration of control commands bring the dog to a test or trial and practice the sit or down off lead while the event is in progress. Don't do this unless you have reflexive obedience to the sit or down command since a loose dog at a test is most unwelcome. The dog should remain silent and obedient in the presence of other dogs and birds. the Germans have a number of exercises to proof these situations. Cj

You are not authorized to post a reply.

Forums > Mailing Lists > working-gundog > [working-gundog] control commands have duration

ActiveForums 3.7