by Robert Tawton » Mon 14 Jan 2008 3:57 pm
Hi Jason,
To fix a problem you first have to analyse exactly what the problem is; to me a loopy sit is (when all things are considered) a slow response to the “sit” command. The dog’s athleticism or lack thereof may be a factor, but in your case I do not think this is an issue. Perhaps you should consider a refresher course on teaching the dog to sit quickly to the whistle using a leash, check chain, heeling stick, voice then and whistle. Once the dog was fully conditioned to the whistle sit, you might consider a short course of teaching left and right hand back, starting from the front finish position. The purpose of this approach is to condition the dog to “about turn” quickly and with little of no flare. The closer the dog is to you in the front finish position, the straighter will be the “about turn”. Next I would place the dog on a rope while still practising left and right hand backs, but this time whistle command the dog to sit before it reaches the dummy, using the rope to ensure compliance. Do not forget to let the dog have lots of freebees so that anticipating the “sit” will not be an issue and it will also to maintain momentum.
Once you are satisfied the dog will reliably “sit” the whistle without the aid of the rope, you should return to your “normal” training for blinds. Each and every time you get a loopy sit in this environment you should immediately stop the exercise and return to left and right backs using the rope. In other words there is a consequence for the dog each time is produces a loopy sit.
Regards, RWT