Teaching your dog to heel on the leash is one of the most basic dog training tips that most dog owners overlook. Most dogs will easily learn to heel on leash when taught properly. If your dog has never been taught this way before it can be very frustrating for you, but if you keep a few simple dog training tips in mind you will have your dog learning how to heel on leash in no time at all. Below I have listed three of my top dog training tips that I use with my dog.
I always start with teaching my dog how to heel on a leash by sitting down next to the dog and keeping its feet between my legs. I then tell the dog in a calm voice that he needs to heal and stay heel until I say it. I do this until the dog understands what I am asking of him. After that I simply move his feet to another part of my body until I get the dog’s attention again.
This next tip has to do with the dog’s feet. You will want to teach your dog that it’s okay to stand still while the leash is being handled, and then to move into the heel position. I always take my dog to the same spot on the lawn where we usually sit and play until he has learned this lesson. I then move his feet into the heel position until I get his attention again, and I reward him with a treat if he complies.
You also want to start your dog’s learning process this way. When I am outside I have my dog sit on my lap and I slowly walk toward her until I have her close by in the leash. Then I go to one side and I put my arm around the dog and I say “heel.” I then move my arm back to the side and I repeat this process several times until she understands what I am asking of her.
Once you have the dog’s feet into the heel position, you will be able to go forward with the training. What you want to do is lift your dog up by his collar and bring him to heel. If he struggles, you may need to re-position him or you can even grab his collar again to help him overcome his fear. Reward the dog with praise when he complies. It is important not to pull on his leash as this will teach him to keep pulling because he feels like he is being punished.
One last tip for teaching your dog to heel on leash is to give him a treat every time he complies. He will eventually learn that he will get a treat when he cooperates with you. It’s very similar to how babies make progress when they are introduced to rewards early in their development. It’s also a great idea to always have some treats on hand so that your dog will recognize your commands.
This next method is much more rigorous but if you really want to get your dog to heel just like in the video, it’s worth a try. You’ll need two people to help you; one person on each side of your dog. You will place one person at the front and one person at the back of the dog. Your dog is in the sitting position and you place your dog’s back against the wall.
When your dog starts to heel, say “stay” and take him to the sitting position. Then say “step forward” and take him to the standing position. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog understands what you are asking of him. You can also use the verbal command “stay” and ask your dog to heel when you hold the treat above his head. Now, your dog understands what to do when you tell him to heel. Good luck!
