Mary Allen
What Does "Heel" Mean?
The command "heel" is a basic obedience command that is used to instruct a dog to walk calmly and closely beside its handler. The word "heel" comes from the old English word "hieldan," which means to keep or hold. When a dog is heeling, it is walking with its head up, its body close to the handler’s leg, and its eyes focused on the handler. This command is an important part of obedience training and helps to establish a strong bond between the handler and the dog.
The Importance of Heel Training
Heel training is an essential part of obedience training for dogs. It teaches them to walk calmly and politely on a leash, which is important for their safety and the safety of others. It also helps to establish the handler as the pack leader and builds a strong bond between the dog and the handler. Besides being a basic obedience command, heel training also prepares a dog for advanced obedience training and other activities such as service work and competition.
How to Teach a Dog to Heel
To teach a dog to heel, start by attaching a leash to the dog’s collar and standing next to the dog. Hold the leash in your left hand and a treat in your right hand. Hold the treat at the dog’s nose level and say "heel." Take a step forward with your left foot and encourage the dog to follow you. When the dog is walking beside you, reward it with the treat and praise. Repeat this process, gradually increasing the number of steps before rewarding the dog.
The Proper Heel Position
The proper heel position is with the dog’s head up, its body close to the handler’s leg, and its eyes focused on the handler. The dog’s shoulder should be in line with the handler’s leg, and the leash should be loose. The handler’s left hand should hold the leash and the right hand should be free to give treats and praise. The handler should walk confidently and with purpose, leading the dog in the desired direction.
Common Mistakes in Heel Training
One common mistake in heel training is not being consistent with the command or the reward. Another mistake is allowing the dog to pull on the leash or walk ahead of the handler. It is important to correct these mistakes by reinforcing the command and rewarding the dog when it is walking in the proper heel position. Another mistake is not practicing enough or expecting too much too soon. Heel training takes time and patience, and the handler should be prepared to work with the dog consistently over a period of weeks or months.
Reinforcing the Heel Command
To reinforce the heel command, the handler should give the command in a firm, confident tone and reward the dog when it responds correctly. The handler should also correct the dog when it is not walking in the proper heel position. This can be done by gently pulling on the leash or stopping and waiting for the dog to come back into position. Consistency is key when reinforcing the heel command, and the handler should practice with the dog regularly.
Using Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is an effective way to train a dog to heel. This involves rewarding the dog when it responds correctly and ignoring or correcting it when it does not. Rewards can include treats, praise, and play. Positive reinforcement helps to build a positive association with the command and encourages the dog to respond in a positive way. It is important to avoid using punishment or negative reinforcement, as this can cause the dog to become anxious or fearful.
When to Use the Heel Command
The heel command should be used whenever the dog is on a leash and walking with the handler. This includes walks around the neighborhood, trips to the park, and visits to the vet or groomer. The heel command should also be used in situations where the dog may be distracted or excited, such as around other dogs or people. Using the heel command helps to keep the dog under control and prevents it from getting into trouble.
Benefits of Heel Training
Heel training has many benefits for both the dog and the handler. It helps to establish a strong bond between the two and teaches the dog to walk calmly and politely on a leash. It also prepares the dog for advanced obedience training and other activities such as service work and competition. Heel training can also help to reduce behavior problems such as pulling on the leash or jumping up on people.
Heel Training for Service Dogs
Heel training is an important part of service dog training. Service dogs need to be able to walk calmly and politely on a leash in a variety of situations. They also need to be able to focus on their handler and respond to commands quickly and reliably. Heel training is a key component of service dog training and helps to prepare them for their important work.
Heel Training for Competition Dogs
Heel training is also important for competition dogs. In obedience competitions, dogs are judged on their ability to perform a variety of obedience commands, including the heel command. A well-trained dog that can walk calmly and politely on a leash is more likely to perform well in competition and score higher marks.
Advanced Heel Techniques
There are several advanced heel techniques that can be used to improve a dog’s performance. These include the "auto-sit" technique, where the dog automatically sits when the handler stops walking, and the "figure eight" technique, where the dog weaves between the handler’s legs in a figure eight pattern. These advanced techniques require time, patience, and practice, but can be very rewarding for both the dog and the handler.