Guest Pixel Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I have been told that the dog should always be on my left. Wondered if it was set in stone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 The "rule" only really exists because of formal obedience. The Heel position is on your left. It really doesn't matter with a pet dog as long as you are happy with how the dog walks. Nat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernStarPits Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Its not set in stone its just tradition,that goes back hundreds of years probably even longer.. all because most pple are righties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue elephant pjs Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Yeah I don't understand it. I am right handed and am doing formal obedience therefore needing to train dog heel position and to walk on left side. I have a busted neck and shoulder on left side due to a never fixable injury and prefer to walk dogs on my right because the strength is there. If SO'd dog took off I couldn't hold him with my left hand wonder if I can get this changed or I am going to have trouble although dog doesn't pull just walks slightly ahead on loose leash which I am happy with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staranais Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I've been told (don't know if this is true) the tradition started because hunters hold a gun with their right hand, and fire it on their right shoulder. Therefore their dogs were taught to walk on the left, cos it's safer and quieter on that side. When competition obedience started, they just adopted this convention. My dog heels on the left, because we only heel for competition type events, which require the dog on the left. When we just go for a regular walk he tends to walk on the left too, but I don't enforce that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 (edited) I've been told (don't know if this is true) the tradition started because hunters hold a gun with their right hand, and fire it on their right shoulder. Therefore their dogs were taught to walk on the left, cos it's safer and quieter on that side. When competition obedience started, they just adopted this convention. That's what i have been told to I'm teaching my younger dog to walk on both/either the left or right side depending on what i am asking of him. Edited September 8, 2005 by KitKat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MolassesLass Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 (edited) Mine walk on the left because I have no physical reasons why either side is better than the other and so the left is easiest so that you are the same as everyone else at obedience lessons. The rules for obedience DO specify that the dog must be on the left. ETA: Bad memory of the obedience rules. Edited September 8, 2005 by molasseslass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pandii Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 My oldest dog walks on the left because thats how we were taught a obedience Me puppy is just learning to walk on a loose lead and is only doing little walks so she walks on my right as Tyson is on my left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staranais Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 The rules for obedience DO NOT specify that the dog must be on the left (or right) it is your choice Probably best to check the rules of your own discipline and country before you start teaching your dog, then - I know in NZ left side heeling is required for NZKC obedience trials and tests. Oz might be different, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MolassesLass Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 (edited) Edit: Hmm, someone has suggested there may be a ruling to have the dog on the left in trials here in Aus. and I don't have my rulebook here to check. Anyone got one handy? Edited September 8, 2005 by molasseslass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I have the draft copy of the 2006 Obedience rules here from the AKC. It says: Heel Position: The dog is at the Handler's left side as close as practicable to the Handler. Nat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MolassesLass Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Thanks Nat. Hmm, now I have seen people competing with the dog on their right, I wonder if they get a small deduction for the dog being out of position but not continuing deductions due to the dog maintaining the position? Or perhaps if you have a medical certificate or something as to why the dog must be on the right you can? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ish Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Mine walk on the left for heeling or straigh out in front for show training. I don't think its really important, but remember if you're using a check chain make sure its on the right way for the side the dog is walking on. It really bugs me seeing someone walking a dog on a check chain with the dog on their right and the chain tight due to it being on the wrong way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vickie Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 I had trouble with my boys when we first started agility, b/c they had been on my left for 4 years. We never did formal obed., it was just a habit. It took a while to get them comfortable working on my right. Trim? she's like a yoyo . Never stays still on one side for long. But she works equally well on both side in agility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Out on a walk I don't really care where they are as long as it's loose leash. Sometimes it's easier for them to be on the right if all the trees are on the right Most people say train the dog to walk happily on both sides in case you do agility and so on or just for the purpose of generalisation. That's weird ML - I feel unco just thinking about right side heeling. Interesting question though, I hope someone knows. Nat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagsalot Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 I normally walk with riley on my right side just as it feels more comfortable. but if we're walking along a busy road, i switch it so he's always on the side closest to the kurb. so really its a bit of both sides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Funny about this topic - Ness can heel both on the right and the left (needed for freestyle routines). Her right side heelwork was purely clicker trained and was always a lot flashier than her left side till I retrained it - now she is flashy on both sides. As for agility we never had a problem with the whole left/right issue despite not knowing - in fact go figure if I weave her on the right she is less likely make mistakes - left side weaving just seems weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayreovi Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Mine walk on the left because that is where i trained them for obedience, so they just automatically go over that side when on a shorter lead or when asked other times they are just everywhere . Nova does have a command for the right side and that is handy for agility, just trained him the same way as on the left but with a different command/signal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 My obedience school requires that we train them to walk on both sides on command so that they learn to take commands from both sides in case we move on to agility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonzawani Posted September 10, 2005 Share Posted September 10, 2005 Left, when at heel; anywhere, when "free" with his 26' retractable leash. Bonz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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