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SZIZLIN VIZSLAS
V. STACK STATION: FREESTACK
A "free" stack is a "stack" where the dog positions its legs and body without
the handler touching the dog (contrasted with the "hard" stack where the
handler manipulates the dog into position).
The goal: Have the dog look as good on the free stack as it looks on the hard
stack.
You will do a free stack:
- After you come back from moving your dog individually for the judge
(expected by most judges).
- After you complete your individual go round (judge may be looking).
- While you are waiting your turn in line for your individual exam (judge may
be looking).
- Upon the judge's request. Some judges use this as a "tiebreaker". Aware that
handlers may be hiding problems in a hard stack, some judges want to see what
the dog REALLY looks like standing naturally.
Free Stack Basics
- As with the hard stack, the most important component of the free stack is
control of the dog's head. The dog's feet and body will follow its head.
Moving the head causes subtle weight shifts and causes the dog to move in the
desired direction.
- Try and walk the dog into as nice a natural "stack" position as you can.
Practice entering your initial free pose from different speeds, patterns and
lead positions to determine the best way for you to walk your dog into a nice
position.
- Position yourself in front of your dog. Keep your feet together and hold the
lead about waist height.
- The lead should be up high on the side of the dog's head directly beneath
the ear and lightly taut to keep it in place. Using light tension, move the
lead away from the foot you want to move while moving the bait in the same
direction. The dog's head will follow the bait, guided by your lead movement,
his or her weight will shift, and the opposite front foot will move. You can
cause the feet to move frontward, backwards or sideways depending upon how you
move the lead and bait.
- Instruct the dog to STEP when you want the dog to move his or her feet, and
instruct the dog to STAY when the feet are in the correct position. You may
have to swing the dogs head back and forth several times and have the dog take
a few steps to achieve the best position.
- When the dog is in position, tell the dog to STAY and release tension on the
lead (but keep it taut enough to stay in position in case you have to do more
maneuvers later on). Hold your bait low to show the dog's arch of neck and use
the bait to keep the dog's attention and get expression, repeating the STAY
command if your dog is otherwise likely to move.
- Training your dog to perk its ears, cock its head and wag its tail upon
command could give you an edge (perhaps consider clicker training these
techniques).
- Avoid overhandling or interference with the judge and try not to obstruct
the judge's view.
- If the judge has instructed that you free stack your dog, do NOT touch your
dog to make corrections.
- If a dog is simply in a bad pose, take the dog in small circle and start
again.
- Do not stop freestacking until instructed to do so by the judge.
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Copyright © 2004 Szizlin Vizslas, Reg. Page Last Updated Thursday, 14 August 2008 All Rights Reserved
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