RA330: Movin' On Up: Skills and Signs for Master Rally

RA330 Movin’ On Up: Skills and Signs for Master Rally

Backup 3 Steps Turn Backup 1 or 2 Steps

309. Backup 3 Steps - Right Backup 1 or 2 Steps – Forward - While heeling, the dog and handler reverse direction walking backwards at least 3 steps, and without stopping, take one or two steps backwards 90° to the right and then heel forward. The dog must move with the handler.

Videos

Excel Demonstrating this Sign

AKC Demo

Tips for Performing the Sign Correctly

It’s okay to pause very briefly after your pivot to allow your dog to straighten up before continuing the back up.  After your turn and 1-2 steps of backup, simply heel forward.

310. Backup 3 Steps - Left Backup 1 or 2 Steps – Forward - While heeling, the dog and handler reverse direction walking backwards at least 3 steps, and without stopping, take one or two steps backwards 90° to the left and then heel forward. The dog must move with the handler.

Videos

Strive Demonstrating this Sign

AKC Demo

Tips for Performing the Sign Correctly

It’s okay to pause very briefly after your pivot to allow your dog to straighten up before continuing the back up.  After your turn and 1-2 steps of backup, simply heel forward.

RA330 Movin’ On Up: Skills and Signs for Master Rally

Teaching the Left Backup

This is one of my favorite signs!  A dog that can stay in heel through several steps of backing up including a left 90 degree turn shows a great understanding of heel position.

Your dog should have the skills to stay in heel while you back up three steps, from the earlier levels.  Also, your dog should understand how to stay in heel position when you complete the various left turns, which will often require the dog to back up.  If your dog doesn’t understand these foundational skills, I would recommend going back and working on them.  For backing up straight, you can use a gate or wall to help guide the dog, or you can use a rear foot target.  Many dogs get through excellent without ever really mastering the backup sign, but if you intend to play in master it’s a good idea to have a good foundation on this skill.

To start training for this sign, I begin with a left 90 degree pivot.  Your dog should back up to stay in heel position.  When I can see that the dog understands that behavior, I will start doing one step back to a 90 degree pivot.  Stopping at the end of the pivot and marking the dog getting into position will reward the dog for the most difficult part of the skill, which is completing that 90 degree turn.

As the dog shows understanding, I will start to add 1-2 steps both before and after the pivot.  When you start adding steps after the pivot, be sure you pause until the dog is lined up straight before continuing backward.

This video shows Excel’s first time training this skill.  It went fast because he understands left pivots and straight backing up.