Training the dog to obey the heel command
The heel command is one of the first basic obedience commands a pet dog should learn. A dog has to learn to obey the heel command as it ensures not only its own safety but the safety of the pet owner as well. Of course a dog owner would be proud to have a well trained pet that obeys the heel command. People keep dogs for protection as a big dog walking beside an elderly person would make wrongdoers think twice to carry out their evil intentions.
How would you go about training the dog to heel? Contrary to what other dog owners think, training the dog to heel would not be a very tedious task. Positive reinforcement will make a dog learn to obey the heel command easily because these are intelligent animals. Dogs would easily adapt to training as apart from being intelligent, man’s best friends have the innate eagerness to please. So instead of reprimands and harshly pulling on the leash, the dog will be enticed to respond to training by giving the pet a lot of praises and using the dog’s favorite treat as positive reinforcement.
The objective of this particular obedience training is to teach the dog to stay by the master’s side whether walking or running. Fasten a leash to the dog’s collar. You can position the dog to your left or right side but this heel position must be consistently used so that the dog will not be confused. One hand has to hold the leash and the other has to have the treat.
Get the dog’s attention by letting him smell the treat in your hand. Move forward while continuing to hold the treat at the dog’s eye level. Instead of moving forward, the dog may move across your body to get the treat in your hand. Give the leash a quick tug and say NO in an authoritative voice. Let the dog assume the heel position again and continue walking. Give the heel command and continue walking. If the dog behaves and continues to walk beside you, reward the dog with a treat. This process must be repeated over and over again but be sure to make the training sessions short.
Walking the dog can be a stressful task for owners of dogs that pull on the leash so that it would appear as if the owner is being walked by the pet. This stressful situation can be prevented if only the dog owner has taken the time to train the dog to obey the heel command.
Sarah’s Dogs provides more information on how to train a dog to heel and dog first aid.
