I have had some success with this exercise, having trained five Dobes to
go far, fast and straight. I do the usual basics using a tennis ball for a target and
gradually weaning the dogs off it. However, before I start the tennis ball by itself, I
use a human target who has the tennis ball. I also make sure the dog is in the correct
heel position before the send. So often the dog knows what is coming and, in anticipation,
begins to forge and
bounce. If I send while the dog is out of position it will almost always veer to the right
and wind up 25 or 30 feet off the straight line. A human offering to stand at my
designated spot with the tennis ball gives an excellent 'line of site' and an added
impetus to go fast and straight and, as skill increases, greater distances. Hope this
helps,
Paulette Bethel
Permission received 10/22/99