Run Ahead

This placement is just a slight modification of our overhead placement. While this placement may not encourage a high head position like the overhead presentation, it may do a better job of encouraging our lagging dog to find a more forward position. 

With food or toy in our right hand, we simply toss our the reward forward for the dog to chase following the terminal mark. Our hope is that the prospect of running forward to chase down food or toy incentive sparks greater interest in the dog and provides more energy for heel position itself. Dogs who learn to expect this forward release often start building the energy needed to chase their reward while their still in heel position. It's the anticipation of the forward chase that energizes the position it's attached to. 

Again, this placement is a compliment to right circle work which is also designed to encourage our dogs forward. 

Tips:

• Have reward in your right hand so that our dog is not preoccupied with the left hand. This will make it easier to explode forward.
• Start by tossing reward only a short distance in front of us. When the dog understands the placement, we can add more distance - which may increase motivation. 
• If our dog doesn't see the reward toss, help them find it and then do another repetition.
• Pair this placement with right circles to really maximize its benefit.

INTRODUCTION TO RUN AHEAD PLACEMENT

 5 min 5 sec

Using a Barrier

If you're having trouble imagining and following a right circle (which pairs nicely with this delivery) we can incorporate the use of a circular barrier to help with this training. Again, the right circle work asks our dog to turn up the energy a bit in heeling and the run ahead delivery provides the incentive to do so. 

This is a combination I would incorporate frequently into my heeling sessions to ensure I continue to build enthusiasm and drive for the work.

   RUN AHEAD PLACEMENT W/ RIGHT CIRCLE WORK & BARRIER

59 seconds