Educanines

Heeling, or walking on a loose leash, is a must for dogs. No one wants to be pulled down the street by Sammy the Saint Bernard, holding on for dear life! Teaching your dog to walk politely at a young age will help you enjoy many walks in the future. With your dog sitting in heel position, say “Rover, heel”, and step forward on your left foot. Your dog will realize you’re moving and he will get up to come along. If he lags behind, you can ask him to hurry. Encourage your dog to return to heel position using a treat or toy. If your dog is ahead of you, or if the leash has any tension in it, stop right there. Don’t talk to your dog, just wait for him to look back at you to see why you’re not moving. As soon as he looks at you, praise him and call him back to heel position. If this is not working reliably, change directions randomly as you are heeling. As soon as Rover figures out that you are unpredictable, he will realize he needs to keep an eye on you and will pay attention when heeling. If your dog is a dedicated puller, determined to get as far down the path as possible, there are tools that will encourage him not to do so, like the Gentle Leader head collar.

With practice, your dog can walk politely at your side. Most pet owners do not care if their dog is precisely in heel position at all times, but are very concerned about not being pulled down the street, or through doors with an arm full of groceries. Keep practicing, though! This isn’t something that happens overnight!