Picture this
You are ready to set of walking at a moderate, casual
pace, with your well-mannered, happy companion dog keeping a smart pace beside
you on your left. Your dog keenly watches your every move, anticipating what comes
next. As you start walking the dog is in motion with you. When you slow down
walking the dog slows down. When you speed up the dog speeds up. When you stop
walking, the dog automatically sits beside you. When you start again, the dog
starts again.
How can we make this wonderful thing happen for real?
Well, train diligently for three months and you will reap
the first rewards of a lifelong friendship which will transcend far beyond mere
dog ownership. Prove to yourself that you have actually done the work by
entering CKC licensed trials. Kennel Clubs are dedicated to the advancement
of pure bred dogs. The Canadian Kennel Club is no exception. However the
Canadian Kennel Club offers a Canine Good Neighbour Certificate to qualifying mixed
breed dogs. Prove to yourself that your dog is trained and do this. Find out
more on the CKC website.
Now that your dog is quiet in the crate for you, waits to
come out of the crate, stays in a private enclosure, walks in a controlled
fashion, uses the outdoor business area for you, sits and accepts praise, and pays attention, …you move on to HEELING
EXERCISES
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;
without lagging or forging out of position. The dog must adjust to the handlers
pace. Never the other way around.
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 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.
Eventually all corrections are eliminated as training
builds.
WHEN HEELING,
Leash
gathered in your left hand, dog on your left, preferably sitting but not
necessarily right now.
Do this all at once
LOOK AT THE DOG
SAY THE DOGS NAME and “HEEL”
STEP OFF WITH YOUR LEFT LEG
GIVE A SLIGHT STRAIGHT FORWARD POP ON THE
LEASH with your leash hand.
You must bend if you have a little guy. If you use your right hand, reach well across your body
to in front of the dog to pop the leash straight forward. Get your happy voice going. Chitty chat and tell the dog how splendid things are today.
Be accurate and soon your dog will cue in to
your signal and will SPRING TO HEEL.
CORRECTIONS (pop leash) AND
MOTIVATORS (shake leash) ARE
ONLY USED IN TRAINING. THESE MUST BE CORRECTLY USED AND PRACTISED:
CORRECTIONS MUST
Be applied in the direction of travel
Be accompanied at the same time by the command or chatting
Be instantly followed praise and happiness
MOTIVATORS MUST
Not take the dog off track
Bring the dog to focus happily
Heeling is taught in parts, and then assembled into the
final picture. Talk to your dog. Be happy. Tell your dog to be happy too.
COMMANDS TAUGHT TO
THE HANDLER DURING HEELING
FORWARD
HALT
SLOW
FAST
NORMAL
LEFT TURN
ABOUT TURN
RIGHT TURN
CIRCLE TO THE LEFT
CIRCLE TO THE RIGHT
SIT YOUR DOG
COMMANDS TAUGHT TO
THE DOG DURING HEELING
HEEL
SIT
GO EASY
FRONT
FINISH
STAY
DOWN
