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Before training your dog to heel' you must be sure, he/she has learned three other commands. The first is come', the second is sit, and the third is come to heel'.

What is come to heel'?
That is the idea that you want your dog to not only come and sit, but you want him/her to go to your left side and sit waiting your next command, which is heel'.

If you taught your dog to end up facing you and sitting when you called him/her you are ready. With a leash on your friend and him/her sitting facing, you, command "Come to heel". Of course, the first time you say that your friend will smile and you and ask if you are out of your mind. If you are holding the leash correctly, you will have the end and all extra leash in your right hand. When you say "come to heel" you tug on the leash and lead your dog to your right side then pass all the leash behind your back, to your left hand. You must guide your dog all the way the first time and give him/her the sit command immediately when she/he is in position.

The correct position is with your dog sitting at your heel. With your left hand passing the leash to your right, in front of your body, you should be able to let your arm drop and your hand should be in front of your medium sized dog's face. A larger dogs nose will be anywhere from your wrist to your elbow depending on how tall he/she is when sitting. A smaller dog will be below your hand but you should be able to look down and see her/him sitting behind your straight down hand. In a smooth transition from come to sit to come to heel the dog will sit facing you then when commanded will walk around you and sit on your left side.
Do not try heel until the' come to heel' is well learned.

With your dog having followed your direction to come to heel', he/she is ready to heel'. Your dog is sitting on your left side waiting for what comes next. This is when the leash needs to be rearranged, in your hands, if you still had to give a little reminder. Most leashes have a loop at the end. The safest most secure way to hold the leash is with your right thumb stuck in the loop and the rest of the slack of the leash folded neatly in the palm of your right hand. The left hand is free to hold the leash closer to the dog and for petting your friend when she/he does as she/he has been asked.

Heel is only difficult in that the human has some bodywork to learn as well. When you command your dog to heel', say his/her name. "Jackson, Heel." Now is the hard part, you, human must remember to step forward

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