As with any control position it teaches the dog to focus his attention on you and teaches him to control himself. It is also a position to use if he is frightened of something, or showing undue attention towards people or other dogs.

It simply means "Back, stay close to me and walk past whatever we come across" on the command "Heel".

TEACHING HEEL

For this, you will need tasty treats or a favourite toy.

Find somewhere quiet, either the garden or the park. Somewhere with the minimum of distractions, tire him first with a game of ball.

Now you have to get your dog to follow you. One way is to start from the 'sit' position. Show your dog his treat or toy. Move forward on the dog's name and "Heel" command.

Always use your dogs name to get his attention; do not forget to praise him when he looks at you.

Set your dog up again.

Use his name, praise him, show him his treat, use his name, command "Heel", walk forward, commanding "Heel" all the time, praise him, walk forward 10 - 15 paces, command "sit", stop and praise, give him the treat.

The reason being if you have to get your dog quickly under control, to either go past an obstruction or past something he is wary or angry at, he must have enough respect for you that he reacts to the voice.

If you use a firm, steady tone with plenty of praise when the dog responds he will learn quickly.

When I say firm that means with some authority in your tone.

Not loud enough so that you are not just training your own dog but everyone else's on the park!

Compared to a dog's hearing, we are more or less deaf, so your dog does not need you bellowing "Heel" in his ear!

With a nervous dog, this can be very upsetting as the louder you get the more annoyed you sound, so the poor thing ends up pulling away from you and you checking and bellowing even LOUDER!
Oh, happy training days!!

The other way of teaching "Heel" is more on the lines that you teach the dog by physically stopping him going forward.

Either the garden or the park is the place to start, remember that the garden is a good practice area for all of your training.

While the dog is walking on a loose lead on the command "steady", stop, call him to you, make him sit and go down, reward.

This has already prepared him for work.

Walk forward, using his name first, and then "Heel". When the dog's shoulders go past your knee, check him on the command "Heel".

Keep walking, giving the dog a slight check every time his shoulders go past your knee.
I stress a SLIGHT CHECK

.

You must check on the command "Heel" and then praise him for responding. Keep him to "Heel" for 15 paces. Make him sit on command. Fuss and praise him and treat him. Let him go on a loose lead or play ball with him as a reward, then repeat the training again.

When your dog is walking to "Heel" for 15 paces, then start to vary his training. While on "Heel" stop and make him go "down".

Remember to praise and treat him. Move forward on "Heel", stop and do a short "sit, stay" return, and move forward on the command "Heel".

Bring all of your different exercises into the "Heelwork".

Extend the amount of time your dog is kept at "Heel",

BUT it must be fun and interesting for your dog at all times.

We say 15 paces to start with as this is often how long the pet dog will be required to walk past most distractions or crossing the road

For your dog to progress in any of the exercises, he must be trained every day. You will be surprised at how quickly he comes on, but only do training for about 10 - 15 minutes each day to prevent boredom. © Janet Wesley

If you have any problems, email us for advice. Training@worldofdogs.cc