WATCH ME
Before starting this exercise the dog should know how to sit
in front of the handler, leash on, and the dog should know how to accept praise.
The handler knows how to anticipate movement, can keep eye
contact, understands verbal corrections, vertical and horizontal lead corrections, pop and
release, and the importance of voice tones and praise.
Controlled walking has taught limits.
The objective of the WATCH ME is to have the dog watch you intently while waiting for the next command. In formal obedience competition, this is taught so that the dog will not look away and miss the hand signals, but will carefully watch the handler for direction. Since all dogs should behave like well mannered show dogs, it follows (in Nana's world) that all dogs should learn the " WATCH ME" exercise.
The dog must know when he is about to receive information. His name is his cue to look at me. He hears his name “Doggie” then the command “watch me”. (or heel, or come, or down etc.)
It is important here
to look at your dog’s eyes. If he looks away, pop and release the leash on the
upward vertical (stepping in slightly to ensure a straight up correction) at the same time firmly, verbally correct “NO”. Follow through with reassuring praise voice, “Doggie, Watch Me”. When he looks at you, immediately say "What a Good Dog, Watch Me" trying to keep the dog watching you with your voice as you speak. Chit chat and hopefully the dog will keep looking at you, even briefly. Anticipate him glancing away and be ready to use the leash correction, your firm correction voice and instantly switch to praise voice. Voice tone changes as you pop and release the leash.
It is imperative that no lead pressure is present
when he hears his name and “Watch Me”. In other words POP and RELEASE on “NO”.
Make a definite tone difference between the sound of “NO” and the “DOGGIE WATCH
ME”. Practise very briefly but very frequently. When each session is over, give a distinct pat of praise on the dogs sternum. Say "WHAT A GOOD DOG".
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| The handler must always praise like an emotionally well-adjusted and in control human being, whom the dog will believe in. |
From here the dog will eventually learn to “Watch Me” from
the heel position. Practise briefly each time, only a few minutes.
Once the dog watches at heel, it is ready to learn to
“SPRING to HEEL” which is ever so flashy, but difficult to learn if your timing
is off. Look for the dogs legs to be moving as your left foot moves forward.
From the heel position, “Watch Me” “Are you Ready?” “Doggie, HEEL”. Once you are in motion, talk to the dog in a happy voice, even dance about a bit. At this point we are only looking for the dog to be in motion at the instant we are in motion. We are not continuing to walk at heel. This is the "spring to heel" which is the only one part of the heeling exercise.
Leash Corrections are just meant to be attention getters so they should not be harsh whatsoever. There is no room for harshness in training; only respectful accuracy and consistency.
Gently but accurately POP and RELEASE the leash horizontally in the direction of travel, at the same time as saying HEEL (not
on name). Release immediately, do not pull but quickly, gently, pop and release. Keep elbows in
at the sides. An efficient correction is the only one worth giving. The Inefficient
corrections are confusing and cruel to the dog.
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| LOOK FOR HER LEGS TO BE MOVING AS YOU STEP FORWARD WITH YOUR LEFT LEG. |
