My DDB is doing really well at training, we are on silver level at dog class and im really pleased with  all that she has achieved.

I would like to work at tidying up our training, eg she come to me when called and stops and sits when we are walking but theres always a couple of feet gap between us and we generally look like two left feet,  id like her to work close to me. 

Has anyone read any good training books that will help us, ive read lots of training books but they cover more basic stuff.  Hope someone can help us.

Thanks

INHO you would be much better off going to a good trainer than trying it from a book.

Hi

I tend to agree with Tohme's post, but here are some books i have found useful for tidying things up a bit.

David Weston's "Dog training - the gentle modern method"

lots of pictures of dogs and owners and includes common obedience handling problems and remedies.

Paddy Coughlan's "Competitive Obedience: a step by step guide"

and also Morgan Spector's book "Clicker training for Obedience", wonderful if you use the clicker and goes into footwork etc. But quite in depth i have to say.

Hth a bit

Lindsay

Thanks for your replies....  Unfortunately my dog has been quite a handful in the past and we have had so much valuable advice from the trainers id be reluctant to change.  They have spent many extra hours with her i feel very hesitant to ask advice on minor things.  We have a three week break due to holidays etc and i thought it would be a good idea to try and tidy her up during this time.   She is now 11 months old and ive concentrated more on doing my commands than looking good when she does it.  I have however ordered the Paddy Coughlans book,  hopefully this might give me some good tips.

Thanks for the advice,  by the way, what does INHO mean?  i bet its something really obvious now ive asked the question.  Thanks again

theres a new book out which is brilliant & not too expensive
"get it right" by Roy goutte
its really good,funny,& easy too follow!

Hiya Angela
Just to say - I can vouch for the 'Get it Right' book that Michelle has recommended....its pleasantly different :)
Oh, and the N in INHO was just a typo...and should of read IMHO (In My Humble Opinion)

HTH (Hope this helps) ;)

Jo

Thanks guys for all your time and advice......  Ive ordered the Paddy Coughlan and Roy Goutte books,  gonna see how we get on with them,  as well as trying your tips about the food thing.

Thanks a million!

To get your dog to sit in front of you you call dog and have a treat in front of you and make sure you show the treat to dog and have it sit in front of you close that you can touch the dogs head. Did you ever try clicker training? When you do train your dog for a come make sure your not calling the dog every time the same. So the dog doesn't know when you are going to call him or her. Same goes with the finish. I hope that helps you.

                                                        Kate 05501,Phantom,Chandler

If you want a close "present" work on it from sitting in a chair; starting with your legs stretched out and then bring them in so that eventually you are sitting correctly; this will teach your dog to take up the correct position between your feet.  Then lean against a wall and then graduate till you are upright :D

If you want a dog "close" to you in heel work, use a wall to encourage the correct position.

HTH

To get your dog to work close hold as many  treats as you can in your left hand (if you work her on the left leg) lead in your right hand.  Hold one treat between finger and thumb, just in front of her nose and bring it in close to your leg and, provided she comes in to the leg, start walking.  Feed every couple of steps and praise lots as long as your dog is next to your leg.  Once she's got the hang of where she gets fed, gradually make her take a few more steps before feeding, assuming of course that she stays next to your leg, and just keep increasing the distance walked before the food reward.  Eventually you should be able to wean off the feeding until you have completed the exercise.

Roy Goutte has a new book out called 'Get it Right'. Very good book and pictures to. Borrowed mine from the library. The isbn no is 09542555-69 Mind you I shall probably buy it now as it is only £9.99 :)