But----Boxer Butt Awareness!!!!

By Tracy Hendrickson Sunchase Boxers

 

Whether you are starting to compete or have plans to show in the upper level classes, butt awareness is essential.  Numerous points are always lost due to bumps on left turns, finishes, glove turns and figure eights. Training a dog to move his hind end on your cue and command should be taught early and will bleed thru to a polished ring performance. How is it taught????  I start with a short leash, pinch collar for "power steering" and Mr. Stick---a short dowel rod that will reach to the LEFT hock.  The leash is wrapped around your back side and held in your right hand and Mr. Stick in the left.  Your dog should first be comfortable and socialized with the dowel.  Have him smell it and stroke him down the back with lots of praise.  It is used only a tool and NOT as your weapon!!!! 

1. Start heeling in a strait line with it touching his back left flank.  If he is still comfortable with this---break and praise.  Repeat and go back if necessary.

2. Heel in a strait line and cue the dog with your shoulder, eyes and feet turning in left.  Use a gentle pop on the tight leash forward and tap the dog's hock and use a verbal such as "get it in".  Follow thru your turn and praise.

3. Use the same method for inside figure eights and inside abouts.  Dogs who are wide on abouts benefit with this also.

4. Stationary work includes handler pivoting in place with the dog's rear moving first with his front moving in place.  When you see his rear moving faster than the front---big time praise!!!  Still use dowel to prompt this action with your verbal.

5.  Finishes (outside/around).  At front---place Mr. Stick just beyond his left side in heel position.  Give the finish command and to come around inside the stick and keep his butt in close - using the stick as a guide post.  For fun and proofing, try over rotating to the right to see if he has learned where to place is hind end.

6. Finishes (inside/flip).  At front---Place Mr. Stick directly down at your right side with leash in left hand.  Give command to finish and use the stick to tap his left side way back into position while pulling back in the leash.  Use leash and stick to guide into position and pop leash for a quick sit.  For fun and proofing---try over rotating on the inside to see if he really knows where his butt should be. 

7. Stationary abouts.  See # 5 but do exercise in place as a 180 degree pivot--keeping the stick at his side at all time.  Try a 270 or 360 degree pivot for fun also.

8. As days go by in your training, try working off leash with a tab and GET IN FRONT OF A MIRROR!!!  What you may think is perfect is NOT until you see it your self or with a training partner watching your dog from behind.  DO NOT ALLOW YOUR DOG TO SCOOT IN OR SIT AND REPOSITION HIMSELF EITHER.  Use ZERO tolerance level in training.  Help him be correct the first time only.