Fun and Games a Marie Sawford Seminar

I went to a seminar presented by Marie Sawford in Belleville today. First on the agenda was Games for Obedience. We started with healing with a spin so the dog can relax and have fun. Spin the dog on your left and keep on walking, he has to hurry to catch up and give treat in heal position. Next was the Leg wrap, this game will tighten about turns and increase drive on right turns and outside circle of the figure 8. First teach the dog to wrap around your left leg and back to heal position then increase the challange by throwing in an about turn first followed by a leg wrap. Jump Back fronts was a fun way to work on straight fronts while keeping the dog's attitude up allowing for more repetitions.. With the recall game you toss food between your legs during your recall then take off running in the opposite direction, repeat 3 times then call your dog to front. You can also do this by throwing the dumbell between your legs on the third time or another variation is to add a drop on recall to the sequence. When healing we did some skipping the dogs loved this and some started skipping themselves. At a competition you can spin and skip to the start line or skip between exercises and even skip for your fast pace. To increase drive on our about turns we did a motivational about turn . As your dog is approaching the about turn rev them up by saying arrrrre youuuu reaaaaady then do your about turn and take off running when your dog catches up to you reward in heal position. Next Stand with your dog standing between your legs rev him up, then push him back and take off running again reward when he finds heal position. In the afternoon she showed us stuff for the competition puppy like tuck sits, back drops and kick back stands, with these the front feet do not move. Marie said to practice on slippery surfaces, on inclines or even on a pile of dog beds. for the stand practice at the top of the stairs. She even starts puppies with dumbell work, jumps and scent work. Tomorrow the seminar will continue with some foundation training and Open, Utility and Novice work. I can't wait.