Minimu a moment of your time please...

[CalamityKate]

Right so I've really upped the training lately - especially with regards to training at our local field. We've always done a bit here and there (as opposed to just letting her do the dog thing) but I'm spending more and more time practising heelwork/retrieves/sendaways etc and it's really paying off. Even during her "dog time" she's mostly hanging around me, hoping I'll initiate a game. Which is all good BUT - getting to the field is becoming slightly problematic in that she's expecting more fun from me (good) and she spends the whole walk there squeaking and squealing and yelping... "We're going to the FIELD!! We are going to have FUN!! Ooh I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait! I am a Very Excited Dog!!" etc etc...

Which is lovely but slightly embarrassing.

Getting her to carry a toy isn't going to be particularly viable because keen as she is on her tuggie, she isn't keen enough to carry it all the way. I could play her all the way I suppose (it's only a 4 minute walk, if that) but I want to keep her toy special.

I'm going to have to turn round and come back at the first squeak, aren't I?

Unless you've got any other suggestions??

Great to see a dog loving the training and interaction just as it should be

I see the walk to the park as ideal opportunity to do some more training! What a great time to get that heelwork sorted.

Get the clicker in your hand and take one step with the dog in the right position and click. If the dog is not in the right position just wait and see what she offers. If she is clicker trained and used to shaping she should throw all the behaviours at you one of which will be the heel position .... you know the rest.

Re the yelping just wait it out she will put in a mini pause and then yep click and treat and wait again for that next mini pause.

It may take you a little longer to get to the park but I bet in days you have fab heelwork.

Cheers! I've SORT of tried that before; the problem is, she gets soooo frustrated that she yelps and squeaks even worse but I'm just going to have to persevere, aren't I?

Yep just sit it out but be very generous to start with a weeny pause in the behaviour click and treat. The joy of the clicker is that dogs learn from getting it wrong so even if she is still yelping etc she is learning!