As usual, a student email has prompted me to create another podcast. This one is on the use of verbal cues on course, and how my usage of verbal cues may differ from your usage. But, I do think that the way I think about and use verbal cues on course makes a huge difference in my ability to stay ahead of my dog on course.
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MikeTickle
Nicely done. I had a student once who felt like she had to constantly be a cheerleader for her dog by screaming something like “Fluffy-Fluffy-Fluffy-TIRE-Fluffy-Fluffy-Fluffy-JUMP-Fluffy-Fluffy-JUMP.” Beyond obviously blowing the poor little dog’s mind, the handler could rarely finish a run and have any breath left. Once I finally got her to quiet her mouth and stick with the forward commands and only reserve the dog’s name for really bad situations, her handing improved.
peeld
It is interesting how when we focus on the use of one part of our body, at least at first, we tend to completely forget about the rest of our body, although of course the rest of our body doesn’t cease to function! I think it’s pretty natural particularly when we’re new at something to narrow our focus on one or a few things to the exclusion of others.
Case in point – my epic fail at the Latin Dance class at the gym this week. I was trying so hard to watch the instructor to mimic her moves, but there was no WAY I could do any of it. She was moving every part of her body, it was really gorgeous, but I didn’t know which part to concentrate on first. Do I stand there and wave my arms about? Do I wiggle my butt and let my arms go dead? I could get one thing mimicked, but not more than that. It was pretty silly, so of course I did the only sensible thing I could do and left for the weight room
Dina Zinnes
Beautifully said! Will have to use this in classes! THANKS!
Laura Norie
I have for the last 3 years worked with a good friend as my coach. She has had two deaf dogs, so understands better than most that body language is more important to dogs than anything else. As Daisy says, mouth opens, feet stop moving!
She has been brutally honest with me (G!) as my best girl and I were on the verge of becoming another of those teams where the handler pleads and runs while the dog drags behind, looking confused. Using body language, and minimal verbal cues, my dog and I have become a really smooth, in-sync team and we have lots of fun!
Interestingly, people around me seem to be noticing and the last trial I was at seemed a whole lot quieter than most trials are.
peeld
Cool! Way to set a trend