Training your dog not to heel can be one of the greatest things to train any dog for good! Training dog not to heal effectively teaches your dog how to; stop pulling after walking, follow your lead on walks, and learn not to jump on visitors or passersby! So if you’re tired of your dog always pulling when out on walks, need a little extra shoulder workout after walking or just want your dog to be more mindful on walks, training your dog to heel can be what you need! But training your dog not to heel can be a bit tricky, because dogs are not always as cooperative as people. This is where training your dog to heel can be a bit difficult.
Dogs naturally move their feet in the direction they are moving, therefore, training your dog to heel means teaching them to move their feet in the same direction as you are moving. Your dog should move forward, and when you have a ball or leash in front of him, you will want to instruct him to walk towards you with that leash in front. Make sure the leash isn’t too tight, because if it is heeling will take notice and start to pull harder. You want to ensure your dog is being responsive and you are teaching him the proper heeling procedures.
You will need to begin training your dog not to heel by using treats. The treats will provide incentive, therefore, make sure you are using lots of treats. Begin by having your dog sitting quietly at your side. With treats in hand, you will want to begin calling out the word “heel” while leading your dog forward. Be patient, because heeling is something your dog will have to work at.
I suggest going slowly and taking your time. When beginning to walk with your dog, I suggest going at a pace that is comfortable for both of you. You want to establish your dog’s walking habits. As your dog gets used to you, it will become easier to tell him to stay in place, and then you can begin to go a little faster.
When teaching your dog how to heels, be sure you keep the leash in contact with the floor. This way, your dog will know how far to go and how fast to go. The dog will learn to anticipate the command of the leash. To teach your dog this lesson, make sure you always hold the heel command tight. This will show your dog that if he goes too far or too fast, he will lose his balance and fall. When your dog knows what the correct distance is, he won’t try to go any farther and he won’t try to go faster.
One of the most important tips you should teach your dog is not to jump on you when out walking. This will protect you from injury and it will also keep your dog off of your feet. You can pull in front of your dog and take turns pulling in the front and backing out in front. Your dog will learn to anticipate this and will avoid being pulled in front of you.
Another important tip is to practice the sit command. If you don’t practice the sit command, your dog will become confused as to what it should do. As your dog learns the sit command, it will be much easier for him to go around on the left side of your body. After your dog gets comfortable with the left side sitting, you can try the heel command.
Here’s a bonus tip to speed up the learning process. Instead of having your dog pull on the leash in front of you, use treats to teach your dog where he should sit. If your dog understands the difference between a treat and pulling on the leash, he won’t be confused when you take him to the park. Just let him know where he should sit, and he’ll be well on his way to learning how to heel and sit on the right spot!
