Finding Heel Position

[Kavik]

OK let's talk about methods for teaching the dog to find heel position.

My problem with Diesel is that he is not interested in working well except at dinner time and sometimes for his toy or treats otherwise. He knows where heel position is as when he is motivated he will heel nicely and find heel position even if I have no rewards on me and I release to the reward. When not interested I can't even get him to pay attention (like today with the humid weather on our walk)

Anyway, interested in ways you can teach the dog to find heel position

So far I know of

* Shaping with the clicker and throw food so they can find it again

* Hand touch and they follow the hand

* Follow the toy that you hold then fade or put in clothing/pockets

* Lure with food

* Spit food

[leopuppy04]

I will shape/ work on a hand target

I really like Kay Laurence's method for teaching heel - suits me well

[Erny]

Kavik .... with my youngster, I very quickly (and early) got into the habit of treating him from his 'beany jar'. This meant that he'd (eg) do something right wherever we were (inside or outside), I'd release him and then tell him I'd get him a "beany". It's evolved in him never knowing when, where or how the treat will come. That's if I'm food treating him.

As to the topic though, I have used :

* Lure/release/toss the reward so he can find position again. (I don't use the clicker. I use a verbal "yes".) This was initially, just until he got the idea.

* Then I used my drive training for the position that he'd learnt via lure.

* Now I'm using lure to teach him left heel (flip).

All my work has so far been on position. I've not worried about walking in heel just yet. Although a couple of days ago I experimented by taking a couple of steps and must say that he was very tight. A tad confused because I'd moved but that's to be expected. I finished on only two steps before his confusion upset the status quo and released him into a light game of tug. (Have had to defer tug work due to some physical development issues with his rear legs. Hoping to return to it soon. But I do save the tug for extra special or needy times.)

Edited April 12, 2009 by Erny

[RubyStar]

I will shape/ work on a hand target

I really like Kay Laurence's method for teaching heel - suits me well

I haven't read all her book yet, or watched her video properly I remember you being the one recommending her stuff to me!

[Jigsaw]

I've mainly worked on position so far. I have lured her into position with food, used the lead to manoeuvre her into position and the another method recommended by Brenda Aloff when the dog is stationary and the handler moves into heel position! Will be starting to work on using drive training with her now we've progressed a bit with that but it is a fine balancing act as she is a little over the top in drive! She has the idea of the flip finish but still leaves her bum out occasionally.

We are just starting to step out but one or two steps at a time. If I have her attention she's fine but once I've lost her she's gone. One of my biggest difficulties with her is she has little vision in her right eye and I'm not always sure she is aware of my leg moving despite having eye contact. I'm trying to step out in slow motion and hope that this glitch of hers is just a hurdle that all dogs learning to heel go through not just another peculiarity of hers!