How to Teach Your Dog to Heel: Train Your Dog to Walk Beside You – A Step-by-Step Guide
Teaching your dog to heel is an essential part of their training. The “heel” command for dogs helps you maintain control over your dog during walks, ensuring they walk beside you rather than leading or lagging behind. In this blog post, we’ll explore what “heel” means in dog training, when to start teaching it, how long it takes, and provide step-by-step instructions for effective heel training. We’ll also answer some common questions about the process.
What Does “Heel” Mean in Dog Training?
In dog training, the “heel” command means that your dog walks beside you, usually on your left side, with his head or shoulder aligned with your leg. This teaches the dog to focus on you and not be distracted by surroundings such as other dogs, people or smells. The “heel” command is very important for controlled walks, especially in crowded or busy environments.
When Should You Start Teaching Dog to Heel?
You can start teaching your dog to heel as early as 8 to 10 weeks of age. Puppies are very impressionable at this age, although they have a short attention span, so patience is key. If your dog is older, don’t worry—it’s never too late to teach them to heel. The training approach is the same regardless of age, but older dogs may take a little longer to break bad walking habits.
How Long Does It take to Teach a Dog to Heel?
The time it takes to teach your dog to heal depends on many things, including your dog’s age, temperament, and past training experience. For some dogs, it may take a few days or weeks for the practice to understand. For other dogs, especially for dogs that have a habit of stretching, continuous teaching exercises can take several months. Most dogs can learn to heal reliably within 4 to 6 weeks with daily training sessions. Remember, continuity is important for this – it should be practiced every day, even if it is only for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step-by-Step Guide to Heel Training
- Start in a Distraction-Free Environment for training
Training should begin in a quiet area, such as your home or backyard. This can help your dog focus on you without distractions. Once your dog understands the command, you can gradually practice in a more challenging environment.
2). Use a Short Leash using heel training
A shorter leash for him can give you better control and prevent your dog from wandering too far ahead or behind. Hold the leash in your right hand, and use your left hand to guide and reward your dog.
3). Notice Position Your Dog Correctly
Your dog should stand or sit on your left side. His shoulder should be in line with your leg. You can give him treats or favorite toys to keep his attention.
4). Introduce the “Heel” Command
When you start walking, say the word “heal” in a clear, firm tone. Take a step forward and encourage your dog to walk with you. Treat them when they are next to you. If they go ahead, stop walking and wait for them to get in the correct position before proceeding.
5). Use Positive Reinforcement for your dog
Keep rewarding your dog often in the early stages. At every few steps, if they are going well with you, give them a treat, praise or a quick play session. Slowly reduce the behaviour of Treat as they improve, but have always been admired for strengthening behavior
6). Practice Turns and Stops
To teach your dog to follow his commands, make him practice bends and sudden stops during his walk. Every time you change or stop directions should use the heel command. This confirms that they should always be with you, no matter where you go.
7) Increase Duration and Distractions Gradually
As your dog becomes more reliable on healing, increase the length of your training sessions and practice in distractions like walking in a busy area. Be patient, and if your dog struggles, you should come back to practice in a quiet environment.
8) Use Heel as a Part of Daily life
In your regular practice, you should include the command of the heel. Start with short sessions and your dog can leave walking freely for time as a reward for good behavior. Over time, your dog will easily learn to switch between healing and searching without being pulled.
Can You Teach a Dog to Heel Without a Leash?
While teaching your dog to heel off-leash is possible, it does require advanced training. Your dog must be highly responsive to verbal commands and focus on you even in a distracting environment. Begin by mastering heel training on-leash, then gradually practice off-leash in a safe, fenced area. Always prioritize your dog’s safety – only practice off-leash in a safe, controlled environment.
FAQ.
1). Can I use a harness instead of a collar for heel training a dog?
2). How do I know if my dog is too young or too big for heel training?
3). What if my dog never learns to walk properly?
