On September 25 2006, 10:40 PM, mnp13 wrote:On September 25 2006, 22:08, pitbullmamaliz wrote: Now I just want her to start looking up at me constantly like the really well-trained dogs do! I shouldn't get demanding though, as this is already such a drastic change.
Baby steps!!!!!!!!!
Normally, you teach the attention heel from the start. However, I think the following method will work for you. It is exactly what I am doing with Ruby, Riggs was different.
The "attention heel" is a step past the "heel". If you really want to start that, wait until she is reliable at the heel. At the same time (and separately) teach her the "watch" command. Now, tell her to watch while she is heeling.
You could also just use 2 separate commands. I use "foos" for walk with me and "fulligan" for attention heel. I taught the "foos" just by giving corrections...i taught fulligan using positive methods (with some corrections). For example, I chose something my dogs really liked (I used food, but tugs, or toys will work, too). First, I held the food down, so the dog had to "drive" the hand for the food....but I had my hand slightly in front and slightly above the dogs line of sight, so the dog had to have it's head up to get the food. Once the dog is reliably doing that, I was able to have my hand higher and higher (in baby steps)...I praised and gave food every couple of seconds. At the same time I taught my dogs how to catch food. Eventually, it got to the point where I could have my hand at my chin (or just have food in my mouth) and drop the food every few steps....it's easier to spit food b/c then the dog isn't always looking for your hand...it learns to look up b/c the food is coming from your mouth...
