by Kerry Webster » Wed 25 Feb 2004 5:36 pm
Hi all,
Now here is an interesting situation. A friend, who actually visits this site, is a left handed handler. With her fourth retriever having just arrived on the doorstep, I suggested that she train this pup to heel on the right side for retrieving, and, on the left side for obedience trials, which she intends competing in as well.
The reason I suggested this, is (1) the proximity of the gun and shot to the dog (directly overhead if heeled on the left).
(2) The increased risk of hitting the dog with the barrel of the gun
(3) The necessity to change the gun to the right side of the body if a line was being given to the dog.
The obedience trial would require the dog walking to heel on the left side throughout the tests.
The only problem my friend had with this was, a separate command for each side. She uses heel for the left side, so I suggested using "right" for the right side, seeing this word is not used by this handler in the field.
I haven't checked to see if the two sided heeling is actually going to be a part of the training, but it makes an interesting example for using it, which most of us do not have to contend with.
Kerry
My goal in life is to become as wonderful as my dog thinks I am.