The heel command is a bit different to the commands we have been working on so far in that as soon as the dog completed the command, he was rewarded. The difference with this command is that you have to get the dogs focus and keep it.
This command is only used for short periods of time such as when people are approaching or there is an imminent danger or safety issue. It is a good follow on after the come command.
The heel command can be quite difficult for your puppy dog to get the hang of at first because it calls for a lot of concentration on his part and lots of patience and repetition on your part.
When he is at heel, he must remain close to your left leg watching for your next command. He must remain there until released by you. Training lessons for the heel command should be kept short because of the attention difficulty.
As with all of the commands, we have to start off slow or as my dad would say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Don’t expect him to get this straight away just take your time and remain consistent with commands, corrections and rewards. Some people like to teach this command off leash but I find it easier as an expansion to walking on leash which he has now learned.
10 steps to teach your dog the Heel Command
We are going to start, as always in a familiar place away from any distractions. Your dog will be on leash and close to your left leg as if you are going for a walk.
At this stage you should already have mastered walking on a leash. The end of the leash should be in your right hand and any slack that you have on the leash should be taken up with your left hand until he is walking next to you.
Your left hand should be about waist height. If he tries to move ahead, slow your pace so that there is tension on the leash and say heel. At this stage in his training he should be looking back to see what is going on. Give him a couple of good boys and resume your pace.
If you unable to hold his attention you may need some treats for this lesson. They are not to be used as a bribe to get him to follow you but as a reward when the lesson is completed. Hold the treat in your left hand but keep your hand up at about waist height. He’s going to know its there and be attentive.
Call his name to get his attention so that he has contact with your eyes and not your hand. Use the heel command and take two or three steps forward. No more than 2 or 3 steps at this stage. If he follows along and stays close to your leg in this position, reward him with the treat and lots of praise.
As soon as he has had his reward, repeat step 2 again and again, each time giving lots of praise with his reward but only give the reward if he is in the heel position.
Some dogs may want to jump up for the treat or circle around in front of you in order to get the treat. Don’t give in to them. If you can’t get them to stay in position, move back to the original position and get them to sit then go through step 2 again.
Once he understands the command, increase the number of steps that you take but only by two or three until he really has the hang of it. Don’t be in too big a hurry as this one is going to take some time to master. There should be very little leash between your hand and his collar and ideally there should be no tension on it.
Ok, now that he’s getting the hang of it, we can try walking a bit faster, then slow down and then stop. Each time you stop, he should be in the heel position and no tension on the short leash.
This is all very well walking in a straight line but what happens when you want to make a turn. Remember that at all times he must remain close to your left leg.
When we make a left turn, you are going to step in front of him which will make him slow down while you quicken your pace to complete the turn. As soon as the turn is made slow back to the original speed. Continue talking and encouraging him all the time through this maneuver.
For the right hand turn, you need to slow down as you turn right but continue encouraging him to follow you round. Once the turn is complete, resume the correct speed. Try this exercise going round trees, left and then right.
If he looks like he is getting the idea and is staying close to you, increase the amount of slack on the leash so that it is hanging between you. This is the perfect way for it to be.
Once he has mastered step 8, remove the leash and continue the exercises. Use the heel command if he steps away from your leg.
Now is the time to have some fun and play ball. After a while, call him to come and then heel and walk on. When you have reached this stage you will have a very obedient, lovable dog that you can be proud of.
