|
SZIZLIN VIZSLAS
II.
STACK STATION: FRONTS
The
front feet should be positioned shoulder width apart. The legs should be
straight with the feet parallel and pointing straight ahead. The dog should be
up over the front, not posting/bracing. The dog should be looking straight
ahead.
START by
WALKING your dog into a stack. Some dogs sets their fronts naturally. If the
dog has its feet in the correct position, don't touch the front legs. If the
front feet are not correct, you will need to set them using one of the methods
below.
Setting the Front feet: Lift and Place Method.
-
Controlling the dog's head with your left hand, shift the weight off the right
front foot. Take the dog's right leg at the elbow and set the foot on the
ground facing straight ahead. Shift the dogs weight back on to the set foot.
Slowly say STAY.
- Then,
switch hands, control the dog's head with your right hand and shift the weight
off the left foot, take the dog's left leg at the elbow and set the left foot
parallel with the right foot. Shift the dog's weight back on to the set foot.
Slowly say STAY.
Setting the Front feet: Push Back Method.
-
Controlling the dog's head with your left hand, shift the weight off the right
front foot. Gently push back the dog's right upper arm until the right foot is
in place. Slowly say STAY.
- Then,
switch hands, control the dog's head with your right hand and shift the weight
off the left foot and gently push back the dog's left upper arm until the left
foot is in place. Slowly say STAY.
Note:
I prefer to stack the left front foot (judges side) before the right front
foot. However, this requires switching the lead twice. I have described the
stack with the right front first to minimize this lead switching.
Fixing front feet that are not straight.
If you
set your dog's feet, and they are still not pointing straight ahead, you will
need to do more manipulation to make them point straight ahead.
-
Easty-Westy: Some dogs have a front foot or feet that point sideways rather
than straight ahead (common in some young dogs whose fronts may be straight
once the chest fills in and pushes the elbows out). When setting the foot of a
dog whose foot naturally turns sideways, turn the elbow and place the foot
facing IN rather than facing straight. When you shift the dog's weight back on
to the foot, it will generally appear to be more straight.
-
Out-At-Elbow: Some dogs have a front where the elbows bow out, rather than
being held close to the body, resulting in a front foot or feet that toe in
(bowlegged). When setting the foot of an out-at-elbow dog, try and make sure
that the elbows are close against the body and place the feet facing out. When
you shift the dog's weight back on to the foot, it will generally appear to be
more straight.
Posting or Bracing.
Many
dogs react to handling by bracing or posting, which means they lean back on
their front feet, heading toward a play bow position. It is very important to
make sure you have your dog over the front. If your dog is bracing or posting,
take your bait to draw the dog forward. Once the dog is up over the front,
tighten your grasp on the collar so the dog can't lean back. Keep interest
with the bait to hold the dog in this position.
Some
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Don't
set the front too far forward which makes the dog brace.
-
Setting the front too narrow or too wide. Feet should be shoulder width apart.
-
Setting the feet so that they turn in or out. Make sure they are straight.
-
Setting the dog so that the elbows stick out. Bring elbows close to the body.
|
|
Copyright © 2004 Szizlin Vizslas, Reg. Page Last Updated Thursday, 14 August 2008 All Rights Reserved
|