Able to move in both directions
And then, the wonderful little PLACE behavior just naturally positions the dog into a SIT position facing to the handler's back. We first positioned Lily on my left side in heel position. Then I positioned her on my left side but slightly forward of the heel position. It was easier to read her reaction in this position.
This is exactly what I have been working on with Roo. The really beautiful thing is the positioning that comes when you first position the dog with place and then ask for a sit or down. This is especially helpful for me when I use it with Rooster in front of me. I can get his sit or down directly in front so he is not taking up so much space on either side. I started this after our day at Mission Valley Mall in front of the ticket machines. I ask from place and while his nose is in my hand where I want him to stand, I ask for the sit or down.. he does not move forward or back but sits or downs on the spot. I have been using it to the side to do exactly what you were doing, get him to sit facing backward. It is ea sier for him to get the concept from place then asking for a sit when he is in that direction because his first action was to turn and face forward before sitting or downing. With place he doesn't try to turn. Eventually once he gets the idea I figure I won't have to use place but he was not seeing the picture. After I got what I wanted I started using it with the RP, changing where (the direction) I was asking him to sit. It is a work in progress but fun..... Thanks for the flips Cathy