More working GSD questions! Working Dogs

The heelwork in WT is not meant to be as precise as obedience, however some judges seem to be looking for that. What most appear to want to see is a really good level of control....and its not many marks btw!

The best handlers I've met with heelwork concentrate more on their own footwork and mostly train about turns, maybe one or two steps at most, then when it comes to competition it should work out. The good thing about training this way is its only a couple of minutes a day followed by a good play.

Sounds a good idea, thanks Nick. At the moment, I play with his tug, then tuck it under my arm and then do a few steps of heel, with his head up looking for his toy, and then I drop it down for him and play again. I don't spend a long time on it

Sounds good, would also work in about turns on your heel, making T-shapes with your feet.

Thank you for the tips Nick. I will do

Np probs, let us know how many times you fall over when you do about turns making T shapes with your feet

(....and you can just see the dog looking at you thinking 'numpty human'......and , yes I'm speaking from experience!)

I think I will practise a bit WITHOUT the dog first

I used to practise dogless in supermarket carparks got allsorts of looks

guy i train with said his work mates caught him doing it on a break - took a right slagging!

Heelwork is my bete noire. I'm so busy trying to smile at the dog and watch my feet that my straight lines become diagonals!