The Koehler Method of Dog Training
Lesson 14: The Throw-Chain
The time has arrived that the dog has to learn to behave correctly when he is off-leash. He has come to a point when he takes distractions as a cue to be even more attentive to your actions.
Bring your dog to a new place. If possible, have a helper. The miraculous turn-around of your dog response will be determined by the principles
underlying its use.
First: Do no let the dog see you throw the chain. The dog has two ends only: the front end and the rear end. Your dog has eyes ONLY on the front end. Throw at the other. There are four reasons to this rule.
1. It is impossible to injure the eye when the chain strikes the rear end.
2. He cannot dodge.
3. The chain will not be associated as a threatening act to drive him away.
4. There will be benefits from mystery and surprises if he does not see you throwing.
Second: Don't miss. Get as close to the rear of the dog as you can. There's no need to test your throwing skills. When you are able to tag him twice, you will find it difficult to catch him off-guard the third time. Your dog will be sticking so close to you and keeping his eyes on you all the time. Re-move the idea of asking someone to throw the chain for you.
Third: Don't let your dog see you pick up the Throw-chain. Have your
helper to pick up for you. Should you be alone, tie your dog behind a wall or corner and then quietly pick up the chain. Better still, have a couple of throw chains so that in case you miss the first time, you will have the chance for another shot. Note where the Throw-chain lands.
Bring your dog to the training area. Give him a pat on the side and tell him," Okay." With the left hand on the loop of the leash and your right
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Lesson 14: The Throw-Chain palm snugly holding the Throw- chain close to the ear, let the dog relax and wander around with the full length of the leash. Follow him but stay behind him. When your dog shows an unusual interest in an object or
spot, softly call him in a whisper tone. If he turns around and take one step towards you, quietly reel him like the Recall exercise and praise him. Com-plete it by doing the Finish and praise him. If he does not respond immedi-ately after you call him throw the chain at his rear. Reel him in swiftly and make him sit in front of you. Praise him lavishly. Then do the Finish.
Tell your dog "Okay" again. Quietly steer your dog to the same spot of interest. Relax. You may have to wait longer for another opportunity to use the throw chain. You do not object to his "going visiting," only when his responses to your Recall commands are slow. Be sure that the call-ing, throwcall-ing, pulling and praising are done in correct order. The Chain is thrown only if he fails to turn and take the step towards you. The chain is used for the first half of the session and then the rest of the session is used for polishing the exercises.
Increasing the dog's reliability in heeling with the Throw chain.
START THIS AFTER ONE WEEK OF WORK ON THE RECALL WITH THE CHAIN THROWN.
Hold the leash on the left hand, thumb in the loop and the Throw-chain in the right hand tight fisted so that the dog does not get cued by its rattle.
Give the usual heel command and start walking. Move in a straight direc-tion. Should your dog moves away or forge ahead and exposed his rear, tag
him and do a Right-About-Turn. He, because of his early training, knows that his comfortable position is to be besides you. The Throw chain is not to
be used for lagging problem. When your dog realized your ability to con-tact him at a distance, you can use the Throw chain for the third situation.
Rushes out
the gate, charging at the garbage collector, mailman or owner walking his dog pass your house.Put a Tab on your dog's choke chain with a long Light line attached to it.
Fasten the other end of the Light line to a pillar. The length of the light
Lesson 14: The Throw-Chain
Irene, an American expatriate lived in a posh condominium. Her dog, a huge cross-bred was undergoing Obedience training on the ground of the American school on Saturday mornings. Her problem was whenever someone walked past her apartment alone corri-dor, the dog would rush to the window and start barking and wake the prearranged scene was set and the dog again rushed towards the window. This time, the dog turns around and looks at the owner and then turn towards the window and bark. In that split second of opportunity, Irene managed to tag the rear of the dog.
On the third round, when the dog heard the footsteps outside the window, he decided to stay by his owner's side. Her problem was permanently eliminated. The dog understands that he should be reasonable and allow the neighbor to pass by without being chal-lenged.
line should stop before the gate. Arrange for someone like the mailman, garbage collector or a distant neighbor to walk past your gate.
Be ready. The moment your dog starts to charge, hit him with the Throw-chain. The impact and the Light line will stop him from crossing the gate.
Grab hold of the Tab with both hands and haul him back where he be-longs. Don't praise him. Allow the helper to get out of sight before second attempt.
Instruct your helper to announce his arrival by pressing the horn or drag-ging a garbage container or any familiar noises that will provoke the dog.
He is reminded that he should not look or tease the dog. It will take a few sessions before the dog will lose interest and ignore the garbage collector
Lesson 14: The Throw-Chain Reasonableness-Character development is one of the objectives of training your dog.
A word of caution: The throw chain is not to be used to correct a Sit-stay or Down-stay
The Koehler Method of Dog Training
Novice Obedience Class Handout Sheet 06 Throw-Chain
A. (1)Do not let the dog see you use the throw chain.
(2) Do not miss.
(3) Do not let the dog see you pick it up.
B. With dog on 6 foot-leash and held by a loop with your non-throwing hand, give your dog an "OKAY." When your dog gets distracted, call him using a voice level to a 'whisper' (dog's name and 'Come'). If he comes immediately, praise him. If he hesitates, or doesn't come, tag him with the throw chain and reel him into you and get him sitting in front of you. PRAISE HEAVILY, and then Finish. Try again. Remember, it may take some time to get
him lost again, but take the time because it is important.
1st & 2nd Day
1. Devote onenhalf of session to the throw chain. Try to do throw-chain work in a different training area than the rest of the ses-sion.
2. Give dog "Down-Stay" and go to end of leash. Wait for one minute and return around dog and 'Exercise Finished."
Place dog on "Sit-Stay"... Go to end of leash and have person go over dog (stranger if possible). Return around dog and 'Exercise Finished.' Correct if dog moves.
3. Place dog on "Sit-Stay" and go to end of 15-foot longe-line.
Wait at least 20 seconds and call dog. Make sure dog is sitting straight in front of you.
4. Continue with "Sit-Stays" on longe-line for five minutes and use distractions.
5. Continue all heeling and Figure 8 3rd & 4th Day
1. Continue with throw-chain (onenhalf of session, even if you never get to use it on your dog again.)
2. Leave dog on "Down-Stay" for three minutes on end of 15foot
longe-line. Return around the dog.
3. Continue on "Stand" on 6-foot leash.
4. Continue on "Sit-Stay" on 15-foot longe-line.
5. Continue with "Recall" on 15-foot longe-line.
6. Polish heeling 5th & 6th Day
1. Continue with throw-chain (one-half of session.) Try using
throw-chain on dog that charges gate, or people outside fence, etc.
2. Continue Recall, Sit-Stays" and Stand for Examination.
3. Leave dog on "Down Stay" for five minutes.
NEXT CLASS: Dog should be completely familiar with throw-chain. Dog should do Recall, Sit-Stay and Down-Stay for five minutes on 15 foot longe-line. Stand for Examination on leash. Bring 15-foot longe-line, 50-100 foot light line, tab and throw-chain to class next week.