To get perfect initial lines w your retriever Bill discusses the wagon wheel drill and its application and the 7 Bumper Lining Drill and its application. Videos & DVDs: www.hawkeyemedia.net Blog: billhillmann.net
Brad, Bill's process leading up to teaching and practicing these lining drills includes many prerequisite fundamental skills. These would include clear communication and understanding of "that's what I want (right decision)", "that's NOT what I want (wrong decision)", go, stop and re-engaging the dog -- all without a line or rope by this point. Bill definitely uses a rope at the beginning stages of training, but not in the manner you suggest and very rarely longer than 6 - 10 feet in length. Early on the rope is used to gently guide and to block disengaging and unwanted self-reinforcing behaviors. The rope quickly evolves into a communication tool, to reinforce behaviors the dog is doing correctly. Bill does not develop the rope to become a tool of correction, mechanical restraint or to pull the dog back (ie, to physically overpower the dog's behavior and intention).
