subject: How To Train A Puppy To Heel [print this page] How to train a puppy to "Heel" on commandOn the command "Heel," your dog must walk next to you on your left. When you make a turn, the dog should follow you faultlessly, which also applies for changes of speed. Your dog can only do this when it keeps a sharp eye on you. It requires great concentration from your dog and good contact is therefore vital when doing this exercise.During the walk to heel, your dog will have to look up at you to keep contact. The intention is not that you adjust your movements or speed to the dog's, but vice versa. If you knock into your dog during walking, that is not your problem but the dog's: it should have paid more attention! That may sound rather unkind, but it is necessary for your dog to understand that you decide where the walk is leading to.In the wild, the leader of the pack takes no account of his subordinates - they follow him or get out of his way when he needs to pass. So wolves keep a sharp eye on their pack leader - although the leader scarcely notices them - and that is what you now expect from your pup.When it is not paying attention for a moment, you could bump into each other accidentally, but this does not matter a bit. It stimulates your pup into paying more attention. You should not, of course, comfort the dog if this happens!Training a puppy to walk to heel in practiceTo teach walking to heel, always use a slip training collar. Have the dog sitting on your left and hold the leash chest-high in front of you with both hands. Let the leash slacken a little. Say the dog's name, make sure you have its undivided attention, give the command "Heel" clearly, and walk forward in a straight line.If the dog holds back, coax it forward with something tasty, and praise it if it walks nicely beside you. If it goes too far to the side, gets in your way, or pulls at the leash, give a short jerk on the leash. The intention is for your dog to walk exactly beside you, not in front of you and not a yard away.If your dog comes and walks nicely beside you, probably also looking up at you, then it is a particularly "Good dog" and you should tell it so. Looking up at you is a sign that the dog is trying to contact you and wants to do its best to walk to heel. Reward the pup for this during the walk with kind words. A small bag, filled with tasty morsels from which you give your dog a treat now and then when it is doing well, can work wonders if your dog appreciates this.Wait until your dog has mastered walking to heel well before cutting down on the rewards. This exercise can be extended later to include right or left about turns, or turning to the left or right, and abrupt stops during which the dog has to sit. The leash should hang loosely, whatever your speed.You can easily tell whether the dog understands and is enjoying this exercise by the way its tail is wagging and it is looking up happily at you.
