JD and I just purchased the Smartwork DVD series and two of the Smartwork Volume 1 (2nd Edition) field books. We understand all of the concepts in the Smartwork Volume 1 field book so far (through Chapter 4). We are using Sound Beginnings as well for initial OB.

My question to everyone is this....I noticed the basic commands of SIT, HERE, HEEL, and KENNEL in the Smartwork program. I have always used SIT, COME, HEEL, and KENNEL. Have the two words of HERE and HEEL ever created a problem or confusion with the dog as in the fact the pronunciation of HERE and HEEL are somewhat similar with the heavy H sound at the beginning of the two words??? Also, does anyone have an opinion on what was the determining factor to use HERE versus COME in the Smartwork training philosophy?

I am not against using HERE at all , and my question is probably unnecessary due to the fact HERE is used in Smartwork and is proven to work…..I just found it interesting.

Cheers!
jd & Carolyn

I'm not familiar with the Smartwork Series, but I do use the command "here" in lieu of "come" when I want the dog to come into my space, and not sure if the dog will respond as "come" in my training vocabulary is an unequivocal command that they must come in to me immediately. I do both competition obedience and some field work with my dogs. Never had a problem with them confusing the "here" command with "heel" which I use to have the dog return to the forward position on my left side, or to move forward next to me. When I start training these commands I do something called doodling where I alternate the various commands so they learn there is a difference with each command.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Happy training,

Kathy

Thanks for the help..Me and JD are just trying to get our ducks in a row so to speak. We pick up Kyla April 12th and we are just trying to prepare for her arrival. We are very excited to say the least and no doubt will probably have lots more questions in the future.

Cheers
JD & Carolyn

JD & Carolyn

About 20 or years ago I had a old time field trial trainer explain to me that shouting "here" was quit a bit easier than trying to get the same volume with the word "come". I do not know if that was the original reason that most Trialer's us here instead of come but try it and you will see it is easier to put a more commanding emphasis on here than come. Either comand will get the job done.
One other note when working with dogs on a push pull drill the here command is used to move the dogs front end to you and heel to pull the rear end. I have never had any confusion on any dogs using here and heel.
Just my .02
Marty

Thanks for your help Marty. Me and JD are reading everything we can and going over it together every night. He is in Iraq and we conference by web cam twice a day. He comes home in 24 days as of today. I tell him about the responses every time and we discuss them. So again Thank You

Cheers
JD & Carolyn

I want to thank you and your family for the service you and JD are doing for our country. If I can be of any assistance to you do not hesitate to ask. I can be reached at 662-449-0904 or email at highmark_@hotmail.com. I train professionally and if you run into a road block I will help if I can. Once again pass on my famiys thanks for JD's service to our country.

Marty Newport
HighMark Retrievers
Hernando Mississippi

"Here" is a much stronger sounding word..harsher I guess and I think it is easier to say and perhaps the sound of the EEEEERRRRR, carries better....

that's my take...don't know if it's right or not...

Juli

JD & Carolyn,

Try to take up Marty on his offer. He is fun to train with and likes Peakes!

Also, I think Jim & Sharon Batte are not to far from you in N. Alabama and they have owned field trial and hunt test Chesapeakes for many years. May be a another good contact for you.

Keith

Thank You to everyone that has responded
Me and JD really appreciate it

We will be asking lots more questions as I have said before...We will be learning along with Kyla..LOL In April we will be posting pictures of her as soon as we can you know the whole Proud Parent thing..Can't wait!!!

Cheers

JD & Carolyn