Curious questions about BH

This is a placeholder text
Group text

by JLB82 on 21 March 2011 - 05:03

Why is the dog constantly staring at the owner? In a lot of the videos I am watching, it seems like the handler has a tough time walking and running because the dogs front feet are in the way due to the obsessive need to look at the owner (some times I see this in the shows too). What is all that about? Is that really how it is supose to be? Can they be more relaxed, looking forward, and walking staight for the dog to pass? Can they jump up a little some times?

by VomMarischal on 21 March 2011 - 05:03

That is called "focus heeling" and it's considered flashy on the competition field. Personally, I think it's irritating. Dogs have 270 degree peripheral vision and if they look straight ahead they still can see what their handler is doing. It just LOOKS fancy on the field. However, this kind of heeling has no practical applications. You won't see any dog in a real job with its neck twisted around the knee of its handler.

by JLB82 on 21 March 2011 - 06:03

Thank you for sharing and explaining. I would agree with you about it being irratating. Great information about the 270 degree peripheral vision. I didn't know that either.

by faq2 on 21 March 2011 - 13:03

If the dogs feet are in the way of the handler's feet or legs the dog is not in correct position. Focused heeling shows exactly that, the dog is giving the handler 100% attention. VM you are right there is no practical use for this other to show the dog is trained to look to be in total control. Most of the time a dog will pass the BH without total focus as long as it is in the correct position.

by Mystere on 21 March 2011 - 13:03

This is supposed to go the way of the Dodo bird under the new rules, if they ever come in. It leads to a lot of crowding in the feeling for some,if not most of us. Good question!

by YogieBear on 21 March 2011 - 13:03

I teach my dog focus - but I did not teach him to walk with his head up - it strickly was by his design and has been doing it since he was 9 weeks of age.....YogieBear

by faq2 on 21 March 2011 - 14:03

Some people will also say that the focus shows that the dog trusts the handler so much that it doesn't have to look for itself where its going.

I have heard that they might do away with it also, but it is really not that hard to teach. If they do away with it i think it is just another way to make it easier to get higher points and water down the test even more.

by Mystere on 21 March 2011 - 16:03

Faq2:

I cannot say that I disagree with you. However, from the outset of my exposure to the sport, I wondered about the stress on the dog's neck from heeling in that very unnatural position. Even the dogs that lack focus often forge, or lag, crowd or stay too far from the handler. There are just a myriad of ways for us to create issues in heeling.

Still, I am not so concerned about dispensing with the eye-stare in heeling as a means of making it easier for lesser dogs (and handlers) to title. I don't think it will have that effect at all. The retrieve remains a major part of the OB routine in schutzhund/IPO, and coupled with the send-out, you must have the OB, aside from the heeling. The most beautiful and precise heeling in the world isn't going to make a title, focus or no focus.

by faq2 on 21 March 2011 - 16:03

Mystere, as far as hurting the dogs neck i really don't see that, yes it is a unnatural position for walking but my dogs will sleep with their head and neck in all kind of (funky) positions. I also feel that the dog is in ALOT more danger of a injury in protection work than heeling.

You are right about where you can lose points in O.B.but, if they start making easier on things whats next? Not worrying about a firm grip on the dumbbell as long he goes out and gets it and comes back? Or lack of speed on the out of motion exercises, recall, or send out? Then should we forget about full grips as long as the dog bites, and in tracking the dog downs 2' before the article as long as he downs?

Schutzhund is a way of testing the dog (and handler) and not to make it easy so every dog will go out and get a title. somethings in life should not cave in to having to be politically correct and everyone can win. Some dogs can and some cant and i don't think any of it should be changed to make it easy,if anything it should be made more strict about what and how our dogs are trained.

Not bitching just saying.

Sorry for going a little O.T.

by Bob McKown on 21 March 2011 - 16:03

I believe (if i,m not mistaken) what they are talking about is they don,t want the dogs head pointed straight up as many Mali,s heel. I believe the way the rule was written is that a dog consistently heeling in that position could not get a V rating in obedience. The dog can still look at you just not in the extreme position.

Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top

Curious questions about BH - Page 1

Pedigree Database