When it comes to walking on the heel, you might be asking, “How do you train your dog to heel?” There are many methods that you can try, including using treats to motivate your dog. These methods involve Patience, Consistency, and Treats. When your dog is healing well, you can gradually phase out the treats.
Patience
One of the most effective methods for heel training a dog is by paying close attention to body language. This will help you predict when your dog might break his heel position. As soon as you notice him fixing his attention on something, you should give the command “heel” again. If your dog continues to fixate on something, pivot to the left and walk in the opposite direction.
The next step in healing your dog is to practice walking him along a leash. Make sure your dog can focus on you while walking and reward him for keeping pace. You can use treats as rewards for good performances. As your dog becomes more confident in healing, you can slowly increase the value of the treats.
Consistency
One of the most important things to remember when training your dog to heel is to stay consistent. Always reward your dog when he walks on a heel. Whether that’s with a treat from your pocket or a clicker, your dog should always stay by your side. Eventually, you should take your dog to more difficult environments and gradually increase the challenge. For example, taking your dog to a dog park is a great place to practice heel training.
While healing is easy for a dog with a strong drive to follow distractions, some dogs can be resistant to heel training. If you’re consistent, your dog will soon learn this command.
Treats
Teaching your dog to heel with treats is a fun and easy process. The treats you give him should be small, and you can use them inside the house and in the hallway. You can start with the healing motion and then move on to figure eight. If your dog doesn’t get it right away, give him some treats to reinforce the action.
Treats are essential for heel training, so make sure to have plenty on hand. Choose treats that your dog won’t resist. Small pieces are best because they won’t spoil the rest of your dog’s food. If you have a small or stubborn dog, it may be difficult to bend down and give him a treat. To make the process more convenient, try using a long-handled spoon and coating it with peanut butter or cream cheese. You can also use wet dog food to coat the spoon.
Loose leash walking
When walking your dog, it’s essential to teach them to stay on a heel. Depending on the distractions that your dog has, different stages of heel training can be accomplished by using a loose leash. Start in a quiet, safe environment and gradually work your way up to a busy park. Eventually, your dog will learn how to walk properly on a loose leash.
The goal of loose leash walking is to eliminate tension and allow you and your dog to walk at the same pace. However, if your dog is constantly jerking or attempting to walk ahead of you, this behavior is likely caused by a lack of training. Start by selecting an environment where your dog is not distracted and prepare some small moist treats. Once you’ve chosen a location, mark your dog with the leash and give him a treat when he walks alongside you.
Puppy training
Whether you want to walk your dog on a leash or off, the heel command is a useful skill to know. It will help you when you are out walking the dog and will make it easier for you to direct it. To start training your dog to heel, set up a training environment with a large space and few distractions. The goal of heel training is to have a dog that follows your lead and is always in a straight line.
When you want your dog to stand, give a command such as “heel.” This is typically followed by a hand gesture. When your pup sits, give him a treat. If your dog doesn’t immediately sit, give a swiping motion.
