The Heel Command

[Chrissy and Oliver]

Does anyone have any advice on how to teach the "heel" command? Oliver has always been pretty bad on the leash, and we're still working to improve it. He has the prong collar, but still won't trot happily by my side. He has to lunge ahead. If I say his name and "heel" he will stop and wait until I get to his shoulder then walk a bit and lunge ahead again. I've tried taking treats on walks as well as stopping every time he pulls on the lead. If I stop he just finds something to sniff to keep him busy. He has his good days and his bad days, but I would really like to get this under control. Obviously I've taught him the "heel" command incorrectly and I'm hoping someone has some advice to fix it. Thanks!!

[jpy]

From this day forward, demand it is HIS job to keep slack in the leash and his attention on you when he's on the walking leash, & that's the "HEEL" (for all but competition showing). There is a great description in PLAY TRAINING YOUR DOG & DUAL RING DOG has photos to go along with the written descriptions. It's nearly impossible to TELL someone how to do this without showing them, frankly, so you need to get a book, a tape or a trainer to help. But here are a couple of tips.
NO SNIFFING--you cannot be paying attention when sniffing, so none allowed once the HEEL command has been given (until released from heel & a release command is essential BTW).
NO PULLING--that is a two way street--he pulls, you pull, he pulls more. NEVER AGAIN LET HIM DO IT! (Remember any exception to a rule, to a dog, means there is no more rule.)
Here's a way to make him rethink what he now knows to do (pull): Take the prong off for now (& when you use it again, do make sure it is fitted properly--snug up against the middle of the neck with no extra links. Put on a stout buckle collar or a common check chain-you can use the prong if he blows you off with these-but be careful as it's a strongly correcting collar. Put on the leash. Put the leash in your right (not left!) hand, put your right hand against your right thigh/hip & let the rest of the leash drape across your body at the hip level (dog on the left side). (And take up slack enough so the leash isn't drooping to your knees.) Now say HEEL, give the hand command (plam vertical & fingers motioning foward) & set off. Dog drifts out in front, you TURN to the right fast & hard--just before he hits the end of the leash (thus correcting his own mistake), you say HEEL! & pat your leg with your left hand. He comes toward you <confused> you praise estatically & say HEEL! again. (Keep moving all the time). Talk to him, look at him, treat him, praise him when HE comes towards you or stays at your side, keeping the slack in the leash. When he abandons you again to sniff, charge ahead etc, TURN FAST in the OPPOSITe direction & let that leash correct him. IF you have to hold it to your body with both hands, but do NOT pop the leash, let your turning & your body do it & let him correct himself & come back to you (for PRAISE!).
If you promise yourself you will never ever again allow him to pull when under a HEEL command & you practice this for a week or so, you'll be ready to refine it. The trick with heel, like lots of things with dogs, is BE CONSISTENT. If you let him pull even once a week all your good training will be gone. If you have to exercise him when you are not just walking with him expected to be under HEEL & control, then change collars & change leashes. This way he'll know when he is expected to heel. Also DO make sure you have a release command (Okay, FreeDog, Thanks!, Go ON, etc. are used by various people). Get one of the books I mentioned above for the illustrations if you cannot find a trainer to show you a HEEl training method. Good luck.jpy

[witzn]

If
>I say his name and
>"heel" he will stop and
>wait until I get to
>his shoulder then walk a
>bit and lunge ahead again.

So he has learned - "heel" means wait for mom to catch up.

you can also do as JPY outlines but attach leash to your waist (ONLY do this with some sort of quick release system)

sandy

[isaacs mom]

I just posted a description under the choke collars thread in everyday discussions of what one of my friends suggested for me. She works at Petsmart and suggested almost the exact same thing as JP just did. The best methods are the ones that work with a light touch and gobs of praise. Good luck!