Maintain a firm grasp on the leash, but never try to drag your dog.
Teaching your dog to heel while on a leash can ensure your safety as well as the safety of your beloved pet while out on walks. Heeling simply means that your dog walks beside you at a leisurely pace, rather than trying to dominate the walk by dragging you forcefully wherever it wants to explore. Begin teaching this important obedience command as soon as you can, as younger dogs tend to learn more quickly.
Instructions
1. Begin basic leash training. Before you can effectively teach your dog to heel, you will need to get it used to walking with a leash. Start with short walks, use a light chain and maintain a firm grip on the leash without dragging or forcing your dog. If the dog resists the leash, bring some treats and allow it to follow the food as you walk slowly while holding the leash. Give your dog the snack after a short walk, and try traveling a little further each day until the leash becomes comfortable.
2. Teach your dog some basic obedience commands like "Sit" and "Stay." This will help you to establish yourself as the alpha, or pack leader, which greatly reduces the likelihood that the dog will behave defiantly while on the leash.
3. Walk your dog several steps forward while leash-bound, and then command it to sit as you stop moving. Reveal a dog treat after it obeys, but do not feed the treat to it just yet.
4. Shout "Heel" and begin walking forward, holding the food far out of your dog's reach while still remaining visible. If the dog stands to your left, step forward with your left foot first. If the dog stands to your right, step forward with your right foot first. Pet Place recommends that you walk about 10 paces and then stop. While focusing on the food, the dog should remain at your side.
5. Hold the food just above your dog's head, prompting it to sit. Give your dog the treat and praise it for a job well done.
6. Remain in control of your walk. When the dog begins to wander off and pull away, turn around and begin leading it in the other direction. Shout the "Heel" command as you do this.
7. Practice every day. You will need to consistently repeat the routine in order to effectively train your dog to heel on command. As long as you remain unwavering in your effort, your dog will fully get with the program in a matter of weeks, if not days.
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