| Retrieve handstand? My Amstaff bitch does a very fast out and back with a clean pick up dumbell retrieve. It was taught mostly motivationally but is backed up with a forced retrieve and many layers of planned distractions. She is very petite, under 40 lbs, extremely agile and flexible; and very often stands on her front feet while she snatches the dumbell.
I haven't mentioned it to her as I really don't know that it's something I want to call attention to, correct, or reinforce, but really can't think of a reason why it would be either physically harmful for her or score-able in the ring. I kept thinking it would go away in time, but she's mature now and it hasn't changed. I'm pretty sure I could sway her toward a pick up with front feet on the ground by using bridge and target's naming and reinforcing feet on floor, but I also think it's pretty nifty, her own personal twist.
Anybody care to chime in?
Julie Kinsey |