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I am working with my dog to perfect his heeling. Our trainer suggested this tip last week that allows me to look straight ahead instead of at my dog all the time. It is a simple trick that works.

1. Start with your dog on the left. Hold the leash in both hands with a little slack. A choke collar works best for Ace.

2. Hold your left hand at your side touching the seam of your pants. I actually pinch a piece of my pants so I don’t move my hand. Allow just enough slack so your dog can go only as far ahead as you want her to go. In my case, I don’t allow any more than Ace’s nose to pass in front of my leg, so that’s how much slack I leave in the leash.

3. Keep the collar high up under the dog’s chin and walk forward with your left hand remaining at your side. Look straight ahead. Do not look at your dog. Instead, you will be able to tell where your dog is by the tension or lack of tension in the leash. When it is tight, that is when you correct your dog with a quick leash pop. Glance at her through your peripheral vision as needed, but don’t let her know all your attention is on her. Walk at a brisk pace so she is focused on following you.

This method works well for Ace and I. Before I learned this basic trick, I was always looking at Ace and giving him way too many leash corrections. But when I hold the leash at the seam of my pants, Ace is actually more aware of where he is supposed to be because he feels the slight tension immediately. With time I won’t have to worry so much about keeping my left hand at my side, and it will become a habit not to look at my dog.

It’s not going to cure a dog that pulls over night, but it is a small step in the right direction.

What tips do you use for training a dog to heel?

(Image from dogsunlimited.com)

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