If you want to teach your dog the “heel” command, it’s best to start training in their puppy age. In their early years, dogs learn quickly and eagerly – something you should take advantage of.
If your puppy already walks nicely on a leash and knows basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” wonderful! You can now incorporate the “heel” command into your training program. Your dog will learn to walk obediently by your side when given the “heel” command, even without a leash. Read on to find out how to teach them.
Practice During Dog Walks
Your dog is best taught the “heel” command in multiple steps during your dog walks. For these training sessions, you mainly need time and patience. Start the training towards the end of the walk, after your dog has already played and taken care of its business. This way, it’ll find it easier to concentrate on you. Leash your pet – now, you just need to decide whether your furry friend should walk on your left or right side when you give the command.
“Heel” Command: Initial Training Steps
Start by giving your dog the “sit” command when it’s walking right beside you on the desired side. Praise it when it obediently follows the command. Next, clearly give the “heel” command and take one or two steps forward without pulling on the leash. Make the first step with the foot on the side where the dog is sitting. If everything goes well, your dog will walk along. If not, try again in a few minutes. After successfully walking two or three steps by your side, bring your dog back to the starting position with the “sit” command.
Through Repetition and Praise, the Dog Learns
Your dog will learn what to do when given the “heel” command by frequently repeating the exercise and rewarding it each time it does exactly what you expect. It’s best to practice a few times during each walk. If your furry friend walks nicely on the leash for the two steps, it gets praised – if not, there’s no reaction from you. It will quickly understand what you expect from it.
Deepen the Training
Once your dog has mastered the basics of walking by your side, increase the number of steps it should take next to you. Finally, practice the command without a leash. If it doesn’t work out one time, and your pet suddenly walks ahead or stops, the training session may have been too quick: reduce the number of steps again.
What to Do If the Dog Doesn’t Respond to the “Heel” Command?
If your dog has difficulty understanding and responding to the “heel” command as desired, it’s best to start from the beginning. Maybe your dog was too distracted during the walk and couldn’t concentrate well. So, move the initial training sessions to your home, in the living room, or your backyard. Start with very short lessons initially and only increase the time if you notice your dog is still receptive.
If it works well at home, you can then move the lessons outside, preferably on routes that are familiar and quiet for your furry friend. Later, you can practice on unfamiliar routes with more distractions. If your dog tends to run away when unleashed, train with a long leash. If, despite everything, you can’t seem to teach your dog the “heel” command, a professional dog trainer can assist you.
In the following video, you’ll get some tips from animal trainer Kathrin and her four-legged partner Shelly:
