Teaching the "heel" command - step by step
The "heel" for competition means that the puppy or dog walks next to you on your left with his shoulders in line with your knees and he should be focussed on you. But most dog owners just want their dogs to walk next to them with a loose leash or even without a leash. Nobody wants a dog pulling them around the block. That is definitely not very enjoyable. Yet that is the case most of the time, especially with large strong dogs.
So how can you teach your new puppy to walk next to you and not pulling on the leash.
Here are a few points to remember:
You will start your training in a low distraction area in your house or garden.
You should change direction very often. That will ensure that your puppy will be more focussed on you.
You do NOT allow your puppy or large dog to pull you – NEVER! You should either stand still or you change direction, but you do not move in the direction the dog is pulling.
With that in mind, you start again with the clicker in one hand. You can hold the clicker and the leash in your right hand and treats in your left hand. You just start walking and with a exited voice encouraging your puppy to walk with you. The exact moment your puppy is in the heel position, you click and give him a treat. You do that everytime he is in the correct position.
Your puppy with most probably jump up to try to get to the treat. Just ignore that and just click and treat when he is in the heel position and not when he is jumping. He will soon realise where he should be to get that treat. The moment he walks in front of you, change direction. Do not say anything. When he comes into the heel position you can say "heel", click and treat. The moment he starts sniffing, again you change direction and repeat the obove process.
You will follow the exact procedure when you walk out the front gate. Just remember there are lots of distractions, smells, other dogs behind fences, people, traffic and so on. So keep training sessions very short and start out in a quiet street where there are not many dogs and traffic. Take it slowly and do not expect too much too soon.
Written by MS du toit
http://www.dogtrainingtipsforfree.com
http://training-fido.blogspot.com
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Well written article. My dog is very intelligent and master commands easily but get's highly excited near other dogs. He is an 11 months old male ridgeback. Can you suggest any way for me to overcome this? I've tried treats, patience and this morning lost my temper which frightened him severely. Please HELP!!
ReplyDeletePlease read also my newest post on how to train a dog not to bark at the neighbours' dog. Basically try not to take him too close to other dogs, and EVERY time he gets too exited, without saying a word, just turn around and walk away. When he gets calmer, turn back and go closer again. You must yourself be calm and relaxed. Dogs pick up any tension and it influence their behaviour.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly the same way we work with our guide dog puppy's in training. Basically, we do an about face when our puppies start pulling on the leash.
ReplyDeleteOur dog, a 2 year old yellow lab, seems eager to 'guard' -- she will walk beside me but always needs to be a head ahead. She has learned not to pull, though. Should this be discouraged?
ReplyDeleteGreat dog training article! Keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteTypes of Dog Aggression
Answer to Carl.
ReplyDeleteIt is really your own choice. Personally if I take my dogs for a nice walk, I don't mind them walking a little in front or sniffing around, as long as they don't pull me. But when I walk with them where it is busy and lots of people walking past us, I demand that they heel properly and no sniffing.