Teaching your dog to heel is one of dog training basics that every dog owner must master. There are several reasons why teaching your dog this valuable dog technique is so important. First, it protects you from injuries. It also helps control your dog’s movements while on his leash. If you don’t train your dog properly on his heels, he may end up getting injured or have his heels cut.
Train Your Dog to Heel With a Leash The first step in dog heeling is teaching your dog to keep his heels down using a dog collar. Your dog must learn that if you command, he needs to stay in your side. So far, you’ve been using a positive Aversion technique to teach your dog to heel using a leash correction for him to know when he’s outside of his heel position.
Begin by getting him used to walking with you by making his heel stay down. To do this, begin tapping his nose on the ground. If your dog doesn’t begin sniffing (which will happen as he begins to get used to you coming towards him), begin tapping in the center of his nose. Don’t begin tapping too close to his nose or he will probably turn around and sniff again. Be patient with him as you’re trying to break into his side position.
Begin teaching your dog that his heels position stop tapping when you give him the command to heel. You can do this through verbal instruction as well as through the use of a clicker. For example, to make your dog understand that his heels should stop when you give the command to heel, click your heels command four times.
Once your dog understands the relationship between heeling and the clicker, it is easy to introduce the e-collar into your dog’s obedience training. An e-collar is a small training device which is clipped on to the dog’s neck. It resembles a small ring that you would put a gold lock on. When you snap the e-collar, the dog understands that you mean him to stop heeling. He will also be given a small treat to reinforce this.
The e-collar is useful because it keeps your dog from over-heeling. If your dog is able to keep his heels down all the time, you can begin removing the e-collar. This is a good way to correct a dog that tends to heave, even when it is only briefly. You can also begin taking your dog off the leash for short periods of time in order to retrain him. You will need some form of a reward or praise. Retraining your dog with the e-collar will take longer than taking him off the leash, but it is easier to do and you won’t be in a hurry to get your dog back onto the leash.
The next technique to teach your dog to heel is called change directions. To begin, lead your dog with the leash through a space that is as wide as you can manage. Once you have led your dog through this space, then quickly change directions and begin tapping the side of his head. This teaches your dog that you are changing directions, and that you are no longer in charge. Your dog will learn that if you change directions, you must tap the side of his head.
The last technique to teach your dog to heel is known as change directions and then tap the front of his head. You will use your flat collar and lead your dog through a large space. As you change directions, let your dog follow suit. This technique to train your dog to heel requires that your dog to follow your lead and that you quickly change directions.