When a dog is “at heel,” it typically means they are walking beside their handler, often on the left side although they can be trained to heel on either side. The dog’s head and neck are often aligned with their handler’s leg, and in competitions or when performing heel work to music, the dog can often be seen looking up at their handler as well.
The position of a dog’s heel differs based on its role. Dogs that serve as working gun dogs or service dogs must have their attention focused in front of them instead of on their owners. Therefore, you will not see the obedience style heel position in these types of dogs.
When dogs are in heel position, they are generally positioned in close proximity to their handler’s leg, sometimes even touching it. However, with a gun dog that is actively working, there may be a slightly wider gap between the two to avoid any interference when carrying a gun or having a wet retriever close to one’s leg. Despite these subtle variations, the concept of heel remains the same – walking next to the handler’s leg without dragging behind or pulling ahead.
Teaching a dog to heel: training sessions
Regular training sessions are necessary when teaching a dog to heel. It’s recommended to start with sessions lasting five to ten minutes, two or three times a day. To avoid forgetting, try associating the sessions with a daily activity. Rapid results can be achieved with consistent training, whereas training only on weekends or every few days, particularly in the initial stages, will not be as effective.
Training a dog to heel: the stages
There are four essential stages involved in teaching a dog how to heel.
- Establish heel position
- Walk at heel
- Add distractions
There is no correct or incorrect positioning of the heel. It is recommended to align the dog’s collar or shoulder with your knee and slightly lead with their head. This stance is comfortable for both you and your dog.
In the past, Labradors and other breeds trained for hunting purposes were expected to walk on a leash at the handler’s left side. This was intended to free up the handler’s right hand and arm so they could carry a gun. If a left-handed hunter is present, they heel their dog on the right side. However, if you do not plan to shoot over your dog, the chosen side does not make a significant difference. The crucial aspect is to choose a side and adhere to it consistently.
The heel command – choosing and using
In the past, dog trainers used to issue a command at the beginning of the training session. Subsequently, they would walk with the dog and administer correction or punishment every time the dog deviated from the intended position. Initially, the dog failed to grasp the command, but with the help of a few corrections, it eventually learned it.
This method of teaching is outdated. Nowadays, dogs are first trained to perform the desired actions before being given a cue (formerly known as a command). This way, the new cue is immediately associated with the correct behavior, minimizing the need for corrective measures.
Stage 1:Establish the heel position
Our plan is to teach the dog to be in the heel position by rewarding him when he is there. We will begin in a serene environment with no diversions such as other dogs, children, or toys, only you and the dog. We will not give the command to ‘heel’ since the dog is not familiar with it yet, and we won’t be using a leash.
By placing yourself alongside a wall with sufficient room for the dog, keeping your left side towards the wall, you will encourage the dog to remain close and maintain the proper position.
To prevent getting entangled with it, discard the lure promptly. Typically, dogs will begin following the hand without the lure after just a couple of lures. Continue offering treats, however, from the other hand.
Stage 2: Walking at heel
The focus here is on training the dog to maintain the new heel position while walking forward, with caution not to cover too much distance initially. Commence with taking a single step after giving the heel command and instead of immediately rewarding the dog with your left hand, move forward and award the treat as the dog tries to keep up with you. As soon as the dog adapts to this, proceed to take two steps without any pause.
In order to achieve successful heelwork, it is crucial to properly execute these initial steps. Although you can develop from these first two steps, they require your undivided focus at the moment.
If he’s fine with it, allow the leash to drag so you can avoid constantly being mindful of your hands.
Stage 3: Adding distractions
Walking your dog to heel in a peaceful environment such as your yard or a secluded field is not the same as doing so near a school gate or where other dogs are present. It is normal for your dog to struggle with this, so refrain from labeling him as naughty. Understand that the heel command presently applies only to walking your dog in your yard. It will take time to train him to obey the command amidst distractions like people playing frisbee. Thus, practice patience both with your dog and yourself.
If you have doubts about your dog’s capability, it may be helpful to simplify the task. Ultimately, this will result in quicker training.
Succeeding with distractions
It is possible for anyone to train their dog to heel in the presence of distractions through careful proofing. To facilitate this process, it is important to establish a clear understanding with your dog about the expectations and to prevent the dog from practicing any mistakes.
Once you begin this training, it is advisable to refrain from walking your dog on a leash in situations where you cannot regulate the distance or predict distracting factors. This is to prevent your dog from reverting to old habits. Pulling is a behavioral pattern opposite to walking in sync with you. Allowing your dog to pull on certain occasions and expecting heel walking on others can be confusing for them.
In situations where your dog needs to be led through distractions before being able to walk obediently, it is advisable to use a harness designated for such occasions, such as a “tracking” harness. It is best to avoid using the collar and leash used during heel work training in situations where successful training progress is unlikely.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Kayla Fratt, the owner of Journey Dog Training and a certified dog behavior consultant, believes that a fundamental goal for every dog is to assist them in feeling at ease in their own skin and content with the lifestyle they share with their owner.
Irrespective of the scenario, whether you just welcomed a puppy from the breeder or have owned your dog for a prolonged period, training can be advantageous for all dogs at any point in their lives.
Wondering how to start the process? If you have recently searched for “dog trainers near me” online, you might have felt overwhelmed by the numerous options, certifications, and terminology. The amount of information available can be daunting! Therefore, we sought advice from some experts on how to get started. Here is what they advised:
Identify your training goals
There exist mainly two tiers of dog instruction. In case you’re keen on coaching your dog in skills or fundamental etiquette such as commanding them to sit, stay, or lie down, you’ll require the expertise of a dog trainer. However, if your dog exhibits behavioral issues such as anxiety, aggression, or fearfulness, you need the services of a dog behavioral consultant like Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
If you require training for both skills and behavior, prioritize behavior training as it is the more complex of the two. While a dog trainer may be able to teach your dog to sit, a dog behavior consultant is better suited to assist with issues like separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
Fratt points out that not all dogs will develop a liking for visiting the dog park, just as not all humans will enjoy attending raves.
Kim Brophey, who owns The Dog Door Behavior Center and is an applied ethologist as well as a family dog mediator, authored a guide called “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey uses L.E.G.S (learning, environment, genetics, self) to explain dog behavior, and this framework can be applied if your dog barks at your guests, for instance.
Brophey suggests that the breed of dog could have been chosen for centuries to protect one’s home against intruders. As a German shepherd’s natural urge to safeguard its territory cannot be trained away, one may have to adjust their expectations.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
Regarding training methods, there are several choices available such as group classes, individual training, board and train, day training, and self-guided training, among others. Although group classes are more affordable, they provide less individual attention. Fratt advises that board and train facilities are more costly and come with more risks.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
The decision you make will be influenced by your financial limitations and what you wish to achieve through training. In the instance where your dog exhibits aggressive behavior towards another dog in your house, it would be counterproductive to opt for training outside your residence.
It is important to understand that you will need to participate in your dog’s training, however, it does not have to consume a significant amount of your time. Fratt suggests that she devotes approximately five minutes daily to training her dog. Additionally, many of the exercises assigned by trainers can be enjoyable to complete and seamlessly integrated into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend free or low-cost dog training resources available online as an alternative to expensive options.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training has no regulations, allowing individuals with a website or social media presence to declare themselves as dog trainers. As a result, there is no established set of guidelines dictating which techniques should be used for training dogs, leading to conflicting opinions among trainers. However, trainers generally fall into two main categories:
One type of trainers who use positive reinforcement is someone like Fratt. In positive reinforcement training, dogs are rewarded with something they like, such as a treat, when they exhibit good behavior, which encourages them to repeat it. Alternatively, the trainer may provide a pleasurable experience when the dog is exposed to something it perceives as frightening, in order to establish positive associations.
Another type of trainer is Brianna Dick and her counterparts who are known as balanced trainers. Balanced trainers utilize positive reinforcement techniques while also being open to using correctional tools such as e-collars as part of their training methodology.
According to Dick, e-collar training is characterized by the use of a collar that is worn by your dog and can be controlled remotely to correct your pet’s behavior by emitting a stimulus such as a sound, shock, or citronella spray. The use of e-collars, particularly those that administer shocks, is a topic of debate within the dog training community.
Dick advises to exercise caution when dealing with a trainer who employs e-collars as a standard practice for every canine. According to him, such an approach is generic and unlikely to yield favorable outcomes. Instead, it’s preferable to seek out a trainer who invests time in comprehending your individual circumstances, including your relationship with your furry pal and your daily routine.
Find a good trainer.
To begin your search for reliable positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers in your locality, consulting rosters put together by different professional associations is a suitable option.
