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In the first two techniques for teaching the “finish,” the two actions of “recalling” and “finishing” are part of a single-sequence. With the third technique for teaching the “finish,” however, the two actions are treated as separate entities. The dog will have finished its “recall” and will be sitting in front of you waiting for your next command. Now you will get it to do the “finish.”
At most training schools, owners are taught that, when they wish their dogs to take up the “finish” position on their left side after entering from the right side and circling around the back of their legs, they should command the dog to “Heel.” However, we feel that this is very confusing for the dog, because, to a dog, the “Heel” command generally means that it must move off by your side and keep walking beside you until told otherwise.
Faster results can be achieved by using the command “Finish”—for no other reason than that the dog will not get confused.
If a different command is used from the one for getting it to walk at heel, the dog will learn the exercise much more quickly and it will not be in any doubt about what you want it to do.
To teach the “Finish” command, attach your lightweight cord to your dog’s check chain before doing the “recall” from the “sit.” Then, when your dog has come to you after being called, pat it gently, and at the same time take hold of the lead with your right hand. Command “Finish” as you take one step back and then one step forward, swapping the cord o your left hand and bringing the dog around to your left side. Praise it, and make it sit as you are doing so.
The straight-to-the-finish “recall”
In some parts of the world, dog owners prefer to have their dogs go straight to their left side rather than coming and sitting in front first. To the owners’ way of thinking, they need their dogs to be ready to walk off with them immediately. They do have a point, but some countries’ trials regulations state that the dog must first come and sit in front, and then go to the “heel” position. Either way, this is known as the “finish.”
You can teach your dog to do what you want it to, or whatever trial regulations require. If you want the dog to go straight to your left side as it comes to you in the “recall,” simply put your right hand down to pat it. At the same time, let your left hand guide its rump, swinging the dog around to sit on your left side in the desired position-facing forward, as you will be.
Using another technique, you can get your dog to go straight around your right side. Attach the small lightweight cord; as your dog approaches in the “recall”, gently take hold of the cord and step backward. Then take one step forward as you guide your dog around to your left side, and swap the cord from your right hand to your left hand as you are guiding it into the “sit” position on this side.
For both of these techniques, there is no need to give any command other than the “Come” command, as the whole exercise should be completed by the dog on the one command.
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