Army Crawl ?

[Sue J]

In obedience what is the purpose of a dog doing an army crawl?

[jelly8bean]

Good question, I know that Indigo did it to go under a low obstacle in my classes, but I can't think of a reason to have them do it in straight obedience. It is a cool agility move, and it does tax their brain to figure it out.

[Dobs4ever]

I know in tracking I taught Gunner to crawl to the object he was suppose to find. I did it to teach him I wanted his nose on it not him laying on it where I couldn't find it.

[Big Dogs]

I think the history behind the army crawl was it was taught to service dogs so that they would stay low to avoid being shot and to go under barbed wire. I believe it's just been continued through the years to show another form of control and agility.

[Dobs4ever]

Of course that would make sense. In fact at DPCA Centennial they showed the film that was made on the War Dogs and I think it showed them training the crawl or using it to keep the dogs low as you stated. If anyone gets a chance to either order or view that DVD it is Awesome. I am sure there is a link to purchase it on the DPCA web site.

I had goosebumps the whole time I was watching it. And right in front of the screen was one of the 11 bronze statues made of the Doberman like the one on the Always Faithful statue at Guam. What a history these great dogs have. I love this breed.

[Sue J]

The reason I asked is when the trainer did her assessment she had Jett doing it, but I forgot to ask her why at the time. Jett did it easily with her. It was awesome. I wondered if it was to guage willingness, focus and how food motivated she was.

[Big Dogs]

It shows two things workability and temperament. When a dog is not familiar with someone they sometimes do not like to go into the down position as this is a vulnerable position for a dog and by having her move forward while in that position shows trust and workability. The only more vulnerable position for a dog other than the down position is to roll on there back which is not what you want a dog to do when being met for the first time.

[Sue J]

She tried to get Jett to lay on her side and then later to roll over. Jett refused both. Of course she does it all the time with us to get a belly rub or just lolling around.

[Big Dogs]

Sometimes I found if you just stand there talking to the owners with the dog in the down position they will do it on there own it's all about the trust and comfort level of the dog. Some dogs will do it right away and others take a little bit. When a dog does it right off the bat when meeting someone for the first time it can mean they are timid or fearful or just extremely submissive all will affect the way and method you work the dog. Jett is trusting of you and your husband and feels she can allow her self to feel vulnerable. She doesn't feel that way with the trainer yet and that isn't uncommon.