Heel Command

First, I teach you how to properly hold a leash for your safety and comfort so this way you know how to “feel” and read your dog’s body language. Next, we go over the mistake some people, even trainers, make so you are prepared how to handle any situation. Lastly, we practice in the immediate areas, then parks and in public so we can include real life scenarios you will come across in walking your dog.

Most owners learn this in a matter of a few lessons because we also pair it with the other commands like the Down and Come Commands. I don’t compartmentalize commands in my programs. I combined them so we are learning how the dogs think and make the commands smooth and fluid.

Some owners think it’s too late to teach heel after years of pulling, lunging and not learning the right training tools. This is false. Any dog of any age can learn heel. How do I teach heel, first always with positive reinforcements and then later with very gentle pressure work (not harsh or mean). Just as you learn around stressful environments for work, household, vacation settings, your dog will learn how to work under the control of their threshold and build confidence what they can do. We need to show them what they are capable of doing. Who else is going to show them?

Lunging at other dogs, other people, small animals, sore arm, don’t have time or no one can walk the dog are the few reasons why owners don’t teach the heel command. Unfortunately this just builds up to more destructive behaviors and later uncontrollable, dangerous behavior. Owners are ashamed, embarrassed, in pain or scared to walk their dogs in public or even in their neighborhood. It’s time we get out and see what you and your dog is capable of. Why wait any longer?

When your dog obeys the “heel” command, not only does it make it easy on your arms while out on walks, it also helps ensure that your dog is safe and behaved while out in public. It also lets him know that you’re the boss, which is imperative in the human-canine relationship. And in those instances when a cat or other small animal runs out in front of you, the dog’s instincts will tell him to look to his leader for guidance (you) rather than take off. If the dog is leading you, then his instincts tell him to chase, and you should follow.
As a dog trainer, I have been able to cure multiple problem behaviors by training the dog and his master on this one simple command. Such things as chasing animals, aggression toward strangers and dominant behavior toward humans can often be cured by simply throwing away the retractable leash and teaching your pet to walk at your side, under your control.

For those unfamiliar with basic dog training, the function of the “heel” command is to have your canine companion walk alongside you, rather than in front of you. When a dog heels correctly, the leash remains slack, and Fido matches your pace, not vice-versa. Always remember “feet before paws”.

At this point, you’re probably saying to yourself “That sounds great. But I bet it’s a hard thing to teach.” Actually, it’s pretty straightforward, and like most dog training, it involves giving your dog a choice and letting him decide which he would prefer.

Start out by putting your dog on a short leash. With the dog by your side facing in the same direction issue the “heel” command using a firm, yet gentle voice. Proceed to walk forward. If the dog responds by walking along with you, praise him with an enthusiastic “Good Boy” (or Girl). Consistency is important, and Fido needs to realize that he’ll get your enthusiastic praise when he displays the correct behavior. If your dog pulls, lags or doesn’t maintain position in the heel, you should correct him with a firm snap of the leash on his collar and vocalize your displeasure by saying “No”. Remember to always reward him when the desired action is carried out. If you’re lucky, a few repetitions of this series of actions will be all that’s needed to teach your dog to heel.

With a little patience, this method will work well for many dogs, and will also help you to form a close bond with your pet. However, some dogs are a little difficult, and may be a little harder to train. This does not mean you’ve got a bad dog. It just means you’ll need to work a little harder to get the desired response. Repeat the exercise, and if your dog obeys this time, praise him enthusiastically and reward him with praise. Fido will quickly learn that to disobey the “heel” command results in a period of discomfort but walking alongside at your pace gets him a lot of vocal praise. It may take a few days (or weeks), but if you are consistent in your training methodology, and reward him accordingly, Fido will soon be responding eagerly to your “heel” commands, and corrections will no longer be required. Keep in mind that your objective is to allow your dog to use his intelligence to train himself. You will provide your dog with the opportunity to either earn your praise (Good Boy!) or incur your displeasure (No). With patience, the choice will always be to seek your praise.