The behaviour you're looking for is precision heeling. The dogs have the basics, they just have never been asked to perform them with precision. A little precision never hurt anybody. I'd suggest every meal for the remaining time be spent asking for the heeling doodles: start immediately when the left leg moves; stop and sit immediately when the Marine stops; back up when the Marine backs up, rather than swinging the butt out to the side and then swinging back into position; butt swing also to produce a sharp left turn; maintaining left side position instead of exploring the right position when it's easier; come forward in a sharp/fast right turn to maintain position in right turns.
Consider these 3-minute behaviours. The dog has them, he just needs to review and sharpen.
You could also suggest to the Marine that he try to cue a behaviour BEFORE he needs it. The halt, for instance. If he just stops, the imprecise dog walks on, uh oh, dad stopped. I better stop. Whatcha doin' up there, dad? His butt swings out as he turns to see what the Marine is doing now, and eventually he remembers to either swing back in or sit. If the Marine asked for the behaviour first: left, right, left, right, SIT, left, halt. The dog would be getting ready to sit as the Marine was getting ready to stop, and would then sit neat and square and in position. Yes, the dog is perfectly capable of doing this on his own, but a little assistance wouldn't hurt if it's available.
This 2-week sharpening procedure would have the additional benefit of reducing the team's footprint in regular time. And when he's got the behaviours sharp enough for a Purple Heart ceremony, you might as well enter him in a Rally trial...
SA
Beth will be adding video illustrating the above w/Mark and Charlie.
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