It is always the simpliest thing...

I am a programmer and have come up with a saying that seems to be true more times than not. "It is always the hardest problems to find that end up being the one line fixes". Translated, the problems that are the hardest to diagnose, can be the quickest to fix.

I have been working on serpentines for way too long with both of my dogs. I am trying to teach them the Linda M. way of doing serps. Well, it was pointed out to me this week (thank you Lori) that I was saying 'come'. What does 'come' mean to my dogs? Come to me without taking any obsticles--not the serpentine performance I wanted.

Today I tried using the work 'jump' with Split. Hum...he took the jumps. Good Boy!

Bud Houston's Laws of a Dog in Motion

Here are some good thoughts

1. The dog turns when the handler turns
2. The dog tends to work in a path parallel to the handler's path
3. The dog gets his speed cue from the handler's speed
4. The dog gets his direction cue from the handler's shoulders, toes, hips, & movement
5. A dog ahead of the handler tends to curl back to the handler's position