TEACHING YOUR DOG TO "HEEL ON LEASH

Learning to HEEL ON LEASH is an important step in a dog's education. After learning the CONTROLLED WALK, a dog can learn to HEEL ON LEASH at any age, any where. Giant breeds are best taught while they are under six months of age; any later and they have a weight advantage that must be taken into account. Begin teaching the heel on leash in a quiet location, indoors at home preferably, and then gradually work your way out into the world. Have a mental image of how you want look, of how you want your dog to look and keep actual practice sessions brief.

HEEL ON LEASH

EQUIPMENT MUST BE APPROVED CHAIN COLLAR AND 6 FT LEATHER LEASH, NO BRAIDING

NO TAGS OR ANYTHING ELSE ALLOWED ON THE COLLAR OR ON THE LEASH

The principal features of this exercise are:

The dog stays close to the handler’s left leg without interfering, not lagging nor forging out of position, adjusting pace to the handler’s.

The handler walks in a confident manner without adjusting to the dog’s pace or position.

The handler walks with head up, one hand on the leash, the other hand prepared for leash corrections.

The handler avoids looking back to see where the dog is.

The handler and dog are pleasant to look at and listen to; they present the image of a team.

CORRECTIONS (jerk leash) AND MOTIVATORS (pop leash) must:

Be applied in the direction of travel

APPROVED EQUIPMENT, NO TAGS

Be accompanied at the same time by the command or chatting

Be instantly followed praise and happiness

ABOUT TURN IS A “STEP AROUND TURN” and is an about turn to the right

Heeling is taught in parts, and then assembled into THE DOODLING EXERCISE which will prevent boredom on the dog’s part.

THE IMAGE OF A TEAM

STEP, GIVE THE COMMAND, POP THE LEASH AND PRAISE ALL  AT ONCE

BE HAPPY AND DOODLE