Week 4 Cliff Notes Turn Review and NEW Turn, Left About Turn

TURNS - Left About Turn

Which turn to use is based on where the dog is in relationship to you as you are heeling.

*NEW* Left About Turn

This is the most fun turn of all to learn. Dogs and owners love it!  More importantly, it is a way to teach the dog 'to find' heel position while moving. It is also pre-conditioning for the Finish which is taught in Week 5.

Works well when you’re on an elevated surface and/or heading into a 90 degree corner. They will either avoid stepping off the platform and/or avoid hitting the 90 degree corner so they learn quickly to 'find heel' position ASAP.

Incorporate this turn whenever you feel the need to turn your dog. When learning it, start with doing it stationary. After understanding the mechanics and you feel comfortable, then do it in motion. It’s easier to do the Left About Turn in motion than stationary.

• Stationary Left About Turn

1. Halt and command “Sit/Stay”.
2. Turn TOWARDS the dog until you are facing the opposite direction.
1. As you turn, the leash is transferred from the right hand to the left (behind you).
2. You should be facing the dog’s rear with the seam of your right pant leg next to the dog’s right shoulder.

> The dog is still in a Sit/Stay, you are facing the dog’s rear, & the leash is behind your back, in your left hand.

3. Command “Heel” as you step off with your left foot and give a small tug of the leash with your left hand to provide the dog which direction to go.
4. Continue to move forward as the leash is then transferred from left to right hand and back into Walking Position.

In Motion Left About Turn

1. While heeling your dog, turn TOWARDS the dog until you are facing the opposite direction while transferring the leash from the right to left hand behind you. 
1. The dog is moving forward, but you are facing the dog’s rear and the leash is behind your back and in your left hand.
2. Command “Heel” again as you step off with your left foot and give a small tug of the leash with your left hand to provide the dog which direction to go.
3. Continue to move forward as the leash is then transferred from left to right hand and back into Walking Position.

Right About Turn

• When the dog is forging ahead of you
• Do not throw out the slack, keep hand in Walking Position

1. Do a 180 degree turn to your right
2. REMEMBER: T, T, baby step, full step

Right About Training Turn (RATT)

• When the dog is greatly forging ahead of you

1. Throw out the slack
2. Do a 180 degree turn to your right
3. Take a running step as you collect the leash back into Walking Position and continue to heel

Right Turn

• When the dog is lagging behind or wide (more than 2 ft. away from you)

1. Take a sharp 90 degree turn to your right 
2. Take 1-2 running steps and continue to heel

Left Training Turn (LTT)

• When the dog is just beginning to forge ahead of you (within 1 ft. of your left leg)

1. Snub leash up with your left hand on your thigh 
2. Make a sharp left turn close to the dog’s face and continue to heel 

Correct footwork

• Remember the 45 degree rule
• 45 degrees in the direction you’re turning with the opposite foot
• Your weight gets shifted to that opposite foot for 1 second before turning
• Examples:
• Right Turn
• Weight is on the left foot
• Left foot is angled 45 degrees to the right
• Left Turn
• Weight is on the right foot
• Right foot is angled 45 degrees to the left