I really like Celeste Meade's about turns.
Below is a video of Celeste and Zoom at the 2006 AKC National Obedience Invitational. Heeling starts at 1:45.
Notice how smooth Celeste's about-turns are, she looks as though she is spinning in place.
The key to Celeste's about-turns is a unique type of about-turn foot work (see video below).
Warning: You WILL watch this video multiple times.
Celeste Meade About Turn
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1. Start with Right foot (foot away from dog) and place it such that your Right heel is in front of but in line with your Left toe, and that your Right toe is pointing at a 45 degrees angle (from center line) to the Right.
2. Now with your Left foot, place it such that your Left toe is touching your Right in step (or ball of the Right foot), you will be spinning and stepping back.
3. Shift all you weight to your left foot, lift the toe of your right foot and twist (pivot) on your right heel such that your feet are parallel.
4. Walk normally (now in opposite direction).
Thank you for finding this! Linda Koutsky taught an about turn like this. It's great because your legs stay under your center of weight making it easy for the dog to follow and for you to step out in a straight line.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I rarely change what I am already doing with my dogs just because I have seen something new, but I tried this about-turn footwork, just to say I had, and it worked so well for both me and my dog. That I am now going to change my about-turn foot work and use this foot work instead.
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