Flip finish or roundabout?

[melanie]

I've always taught the flip finish. Iko does it nicely and understands it. My club and Gottfried say I have to teach him the roundabout - because 1) It's more accurate, and 2) Iko isn't a flashy dog.

So every time I try to work the roundabout, he downs, he sits, he won't follow my footwork or hand full of hot dog.

So I put him in front of me and said "Fuss" and he flipped into perfect position. Every time. (3).

I think it's stupid to change when he is understanding the flip so well and hasn't a clue what I want from him on the roundabout. No matter what I do.

Any opinions? Right now, the flip is one of the few things he's got down real well. He knows, he does, he lands in perfect heel position.



[glow=red,2,300]Mel[/glow]

[Alisa]

We were always told to teach the roundabout, but I personally think Flip looks so much cooler and smarter. Decided! It is the roundabout for Airedales! Let the smart dogs look smart.

[melanie]

Poll: How many do a flip finish and how many do a roundabout?

[jsf13]

Sorry just saw this. Roundabout for me.

[melanie]

michaeldelee said:

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
The dog performs the command directive but the guru says it is not cool?
Fixing the "accuracy" is a lot simpler than changing the command response. I'd let it be.
I have taught both responses with no preference.

Yup. The Guru Dildei says "only flashy dogs should do a flip finish, and Iko is not a flashy dog. "

I'm getting very discouraged with my club and the control freak TD. He's not a bad guy, just an engineer. (I was a draftsperson for 14 years. The 2 don't mix! ) I and Iko both like our helper, and the people in the club, and while not experienced in years, our helper's very good at reading a dog, very good, and just recently took and passed the helper qualification test. Gottfried's method of training does work, I'm not slamming it, he appreciates Terriers, but doubts there's many capable of Sch. (AMOF, his favorite breed is a Lakeland Terrier!) Of course he is a GSD man. And he may be right, but I think you have to approach the dog as an individual, not a breed, not a species. And Gottfried does too, but my club is so GSD that they can't see sideways. So, I've had ADT's for over 50 years, I recognize they were all unique, but I can read an Airedale or most any dog sure as a monkey eats bananas. Because of this, I have been a very successful groomer for over 20 years, and if you want to groom, you'd BETTER know how to read a dog. And now I'm working again at a vet, and that's where I belong, I love it.

I'm going to train Susu the way I've always trained - none of this hot dog in your fist to have the dog push into it (drive) I'll use food but not in the way I did Iko. It's a great method for accuracy, by a twist of your wrist, you bring the dog into the correct position. That part is great. But first you have to get them by your side! Maybe it's wrong for Schutzhund, but I like to heel with lots of eye contact, my dog is thinking of what he's looking at.

And that's only obedience. Then there's protection.... Both my Airedales could do manwork, Susu definitely. She loves to bite arms. She'd be in heaven if she could grab an arm or leg and hang on for life! I think at this point in time, Iko if threatened or provoked, might. He's an extremely defensive dog, but whether he likes manwork has yet to be seen.

Why, if I know they'll grab a sleeve, must we go through the towel and toy work, the tie-out (Iko will NEVER lunge at a tie-out. He's not stupid, it'd hurt his neck!) then behind the fence with the helper on the other side, then the actual bite the sleeve?

Just asking. I don't know. I just observe my dogs and think about there might be a better way to get from A to B. I want to sauced, but I've already spent thousands of $$ and am still as confused as I was 2 years ago.

Any comments? Be kind or I'll never ask another question!

I know one can do obedience and tracking on their own. But what do us "oddballs with Aireheads" do for QUALIFIED helpers?

;D One day I'll post a short message!



Mel

[melanie]

Yeah, I know spellcheck turned SUCCEED into SAUCED, but I rather like the humor of it!