The Spaniel Annals

Kerrie’s Beginner Novice legs gave me good information for our heeling training in the next several weeks. In the ring, I got many moments of solid engagement, and then sporadic look-aways, especially on her about turns. So in a recent training session, I set up an open lid of food on top of a bucket and planned to heel into about turns as we reach the bucket. Kerrie has had practice with an open plate of food and maintaining a stay; however, motion creates a very different level of difficulty.

You’ll see mistakes here. In the old days, a mistake would have meant a correction. The trainer I am today sees those mistakes as “tells” about what the dog needs in the moment, and how we need to adjust to get success. I could “make” Kerrie avoid the food and do her about turn with attention, but I’d far, far rather she chooses to do her about turn, utilizing self-imposed control and commitment to her heeling.

By listening to her tells and adjusting the training, I got a lot of information about what she is ready for, and how we might approach this exercise in the future. And we ended with success!