Have found in training that throwing the bait helps keep a dog away from you, not in the ring though or you will not be popular. Re: Barry I do not want to interfere with the way you train you know your breed best, well I don't know it at all, but I know when a dog looks 'right' and sometimes I look a photos in the dog press and despair. The third photo of your dog looks great, the neck has no wrinkles and the topline is not strained.

I agree that training without a lead is a good way, I hate to see a dogs natural gate interfered with because the handler is either stringing up or pulling the dog to one side, not that I am not guilty myself I am not a good handler. Once when I was showing my bitch at a championship show I tripped and dropped the lead and she continued did a triangle and an up and down without me, when I recovered the lead the judge said well she moved very well nice corners which is more than I can say for the handler who did not move at all, I said shall I move her again and he said, Oh no, I am sure you would put her off, we won the class.

Now thats tallented, if only my lot would move themself,

Poor Barry has had a lot to take on board in the last couple of weeks, Hes had to learn to work with tikka without a lead, which I think is new to him, {most people are horrified when they come to me for training and I walk over take the lead off the dog and say ok get on with it, lol

Barrys done quiet well, tikka has learned to go into a stand from a sit, by stepping back rather than walking forward into it, she has learned to walk back and shes quite good at holding still while you come forward to feed her, I will defo keep an eye on the head and front legs though,, will get more photos on monday for you to have a look at

yup you defo seem to be getting the knack of it really well, you will be a pro in a few weeks,, honest,