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Heeling Methods


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Ok so I am an obedience newb and I am at the point where teaching Toby to heel is the next step... but I keep putting it off because I have no idea which method to use, what the different types of methods are and what works. I am basically clueless. I have been shown some bits and pieces but I do best having a book/dvd/website that I can refer to.

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My inspiration for teaching Millie to heel was Patty Ruzzo's DVD Competition Basics. After teaching Ruby with no clue what I was doing, I enjoyed every minute of Patty's DVD :) One of us can loan you a copy if you don't already have it :o

My next pup, I will be doing more things stationary before I even think about heeling off (well, that's the plan, doesn't always work :laugh:).

I'll leave those more experienced to tell you their ways in more detail, and I might learn something too for my next dog :laugh:

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I am teaching our pup heeling at the moment but trying something different from methods I have been taught in the past. So far it is working a treat and we aren't using a leash.

We are still in the first stages but basically what I'm doing is before meal times, I go for a walk around the backyard with some biscuits in my left hand which is by my left side. Puppy can smell the biscuits and is naturally walking right next to me trying to sniff my hand. Every single time he is in the correct position, I mark the position by saying 'heel', then give him a biscuit. Repeat, repeat, repeat...... The idea is that initially the hand position is the cue to walk at heel and then by pairing it with a word, eventually the word becomes the cue. Most trainers say that when the dog can perform the cue 10 times in a row, you're ready for the next stage.

The next stage is to mark the position and praise but not always give a treat. After that, You start increase the time between word cues so that eventually the word said just once has the dog heeling. When the dog is responding to the word cue, you can start to move your hand away from your side. I've read that at this stage some people reposition the hand near their face to get the dog looking at you for competiton heeling but I have no experience with this, it's just what I've read.

Once the dog is heeling around the yard, then add the leash. Repeat the process. The idea is the dog is already heeling, the leash is just there because the law says we have to. Next move to the front yard and go through the process again. Keep repeating the process, gradually adding more distractions until you're ready to go for a walk at heel.

Other methods include acting like a tree if the dog moves ahead of you (takes a while to get results) or suddenly walking in the opposite direction. The idea is that the dog is running ahead doing it's own thing and suddenly gets to the end of the leash. He looks around and sees you walking the other way so he runs to catch up. Usually the first few times you do this, the dog will overshoot you so you do an immediate about turn and walk the other way again. Until he gets it, you may look like you're imitating a duck in a shooting gallery but perseverence is the key. The process is repeated until the dog is walking next to you with one eye on you. When he is in this position, he gets rewarded so that the position is reinforced.

Kikopup has some great YouTube videos on dog training. This is Kikopup's video about

that shows yet another method.
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Kikopup has some great YouTube videos on dog training. This is Kikopup's video about
that shows yet another method.

I think RallyValley is talking about competition style heeling as opposed to loose leash walking or close walking used on your everyday walks. I have done what you describe above for teaching a nice walking style but it is not how I would tackle heeling for competition.

First thing I do is work on stationary position and attention. From there I gradually add movement and keep the rewards high and the sessions short. Others that do it more effectively than me will be able to give a much better description of what and how :)

Edited by piper
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I've been working on a lot of stationary (sit) position and attention - in lots of different environments, contexts and from different angles. I need it for retrieving anyway. This morning I grabbed the training bag, clicker and dummy and sat outside to practice presenting the article in front. Before I had a chance to do anything she flipped into heel position :) I have never trained Em to heel with a lead on. Saves me making silly mistakes.

Edited by The Spotted Devil
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Fairly sure I have seen video of Toby coming to heel very nicely in a stationary position?? If you haven't been saying heel when he is in the right spot I would start with that. So name the behavior now.

Do some turns on the spot, asking him to heel.

Then go forwards 1 step. Big party. And slowly build your steps up.

I had a go using the backwards method with Amber which worked quite well. Method described on Fanny's Clicker dog blog (www.fannygott.com).

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Yes Toby knows stationary heel position ( 'line up' for a left/flip finish and 'finish' for a right/behind finish) but I have been a bit wary about the next steps, it seems like such a big thing to teach and I don't want to muck it up! :)

ETA - I just realised why I know the name Fanny Gott - she trained an English Setter to competition obedience. :D

Edited by RallyValley
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