2torial #0430:
Learn2 Train Your Dog to Heel

The heeling process

There's nothing quite as annoying as walking a rambunctious dog. The minute you pull out the leash, it happily jumps all over you. You open the door, and it's out like a shot, pulling you wherever it wants to go. Together, you lurch toward trees and fire hydrants, into traffic, and when it sees another dog, well, all "heel" breaks loose.

But training your dog to heel--or walk calmly beside you--will make walking your pet an easy and fun process, so you'll look forward to your time together in the streets.

Before the two of you begin to learn the heeling process, your dog should already know the basic commands: "Come" and "Sit." A dog's owner should be the person who trains the dog to heel. If a friend, family member, or trainer teaches your dog this skill, your dog will see that person as the authority figure--not you--which is certainly not the point of this exercise.

Finally, the key to teaching your dog any new skill is positive reinforcement. Reward your dog with treats and praise when it does well, and correct it quickly and firmly when it makes mistakes. Be as clear and consistent as possible. Believe it or not, your dog wants to please you, and to a canine, there's nothing more frustrating than an unclear message. If you're willing to practice, repeating the same, basic maneuvers, your dog will quickly learn to heel like a champ.

Note: This 2torial assumes you're using a regular buckle collar. If you're using a chain or nylon choke collar, or a prong collar, don't snap the leash as hard--in an attempt to correct mistakes--as you would with a buckle collar. Some amount of correction already occurs whenever the dog pulls against a choke or prong collar.