Hup, Here, Heel

For non-spaniels, this is "sit", "come", and "walk right along side me". 

On the weekend of March 13-14, I'll go to Luke Weaver's farm in Barnesville, Ga (about midway between Atlanta and Macon) to attend a seminar by Joe DeMarkis, a hunt test judge and trainer.  The event is sponsored by the Chattahooche English Springer Spaniel Club of America.

I decided to attend Judge Joe's seminar instead of the Wateree Club's training day that same weekend with Kim, Larsen's normal hunting trainer.  I want to see what Judge Joe has to offer.  Sometimes a different perspective gives you new insights.  Although, sometimes it just confuses you.   

Larsen and I want to work on Hup, Here, Heel.  Larsen is a very good hupper when he's close to me.  Our next step is to learn how to sit-stay when farther away from me and temptations loom larger.

As for heeling, we work on heeling on our morning walk.  We heel along, with the leash dragging.  We stop frequently when he gets out of line (ahead of me, lagging behond).  There are a lot of halts (whoa's), sit/hups where we stop to listen to the morning geese, sniff the cold March air, and get our thoughts organized about how to walk at heel.

Larsen's "here" is a work in progress.  In the backyard, with treats, sure.  In the neighborhood with the neighbor's cat sashaying by?  No.  I'll bring the e-collar, which has been collecting dust, although I don't know if Judge Joe uses, recommends, or teaches the e-collar.   

My goal is to learn some fun exercises and drills that we can use at home to practice, practice, practice.  Larsen is a smart, willful dog, and my training has gone down some blind alleys.  I may be heading down one yet another, but we will see what new understanding this step in our project brings.