ROTT N CHATTER, October 1992, Volume 1 Number 3

 

                           THE ART OF CARTING

                                 PART 3

                             BY LINDA BENISH

 

   Talk about putting "the cart before the 'dog'", I have done just that.

This month's column was to be an example of a Carting Competition,

(suggested course) but silly me, I failed to mention that your Smart Rottie

with his cart MUST back-up during the competition.  So let's discuss BACKING-

 

UP.  My 2 girls were taught by two different methods, so you may take your

choice.

   My oldest, (Schotz) first learned while she was carting.  I took a 2 X 4

that was 8 feet long and placed it approximately 4 feet from the curb of the

street, creating an 'alley way' of sorts.  After walking her through her

paces of straight Pulls, Left and Right turns followed with some Circles, I

walked her and the cart straight through and stopped at the end of the 8

foot long alley way I had created.  (When doing this be sure to use commands

such as "Stop, Halt or Whoa".)

   Next, I stepped in front of her and while gently pulling the choke collar

up and back, (action similar to a 'sit' correction) I began to walk straight

into her face and body while commanding her to Back or Back-up.  She had no

choice but to back-up.  I then gave her LOTS OF PRAISE and a cookie to let

her know she had done the right thing, though I'm sure she thought this was

a stupid request.  NOTE: Do not be abusive, such as kneeing your dog in the

chest.  The 2 X 4 is used only as a guide so the dog learns to back up

straight.

   If you don't have a 2 X 4, you can set up a couple of patio chairs to

make a narrow chute-type alley or (you can do what our newsletter editor,

Jan Cooper, did) teach your Rottie in the living room by pulling your sofa

out from the wall about 3 feet.

   During the carting competition it is mandatory that a dog demonstrate the

ability to back-up 3' to 4'.

   After acquiring our 2nd Rottie (Pia), I decided we could not have two

Rotties sitting under the dinner table when we ate, so the new rule was the

girls could be on a 'down stay' at the kitchen door until the meal was

finished.  Poor Pia learned very young (before she ever saw the cart) what

Back means.  I just stood in front of her and gently pulled her collar up

over her back and walked her backwards out of the kitchen before we sat down

to eat.

   Both girls are very smart, but Pia living up to the meaning of her name,

(Pain In the A__) takes the cake!  Backing up is something she really

doesn't want to do, especially at dinner time.  Now when I tell her to

'Back', she shakes her head NO all the while she is backing up to show me

her displeasure.  But she does it and then she lies down until we are done

with our meal.

   "GOOD LUCK", see you next month!