by Kerlain Kate

Created on: October 28, 2009   Last Updated: February 16, 2010

This usefull skill disciplines the dog to summon your dog from any area while it's running around without a leash. The called dog comes to the trainer in a short time. A lot of people, including dog trainers, don't understand that command "Heel!" isn't really a moving command. When you say "Heel!" to a dog, it means "Come to my left side and stay there". Basically what you want is you want your dog to sit right in front of you. This command itself is quite simple and almost any dog can learn it, but you also need a lot of patience to teach it without any anger or other negative emotions.

The Best Training Method

First of all, when you take your dog for a walk, use a short leash. Take a leash into your right hand, put it back behind your right leg so as you stand back with it, it draws your dog forward. When your dog comes around, you need to meet your dog with a reward around you, take a little step forward and have him sit. Then you can give him a reward. If your dog doesn't sit, command "Sit!". Each time you need to correct your dog's position and give him a reward.

Each time try to speed up the dog moving pace under the command "Heel!". Your dog needs to run to the trainer quickly, run around him and sit to the left leg. If the dog does not run to the trainer, it is necessary to repeat the command "Heel!", show a small treat and easily pull lead to the trainer side. If dog sits too far forward or back from the trainer, its trainer need to correct dog's position. Repeat the exercise 5-6 times. Later, when the dog will acquire the skills, command "Heel!" with a gesture. Dog needs to come to you from various positions: sitting, lying or standing. Each time try to increase the distance between dog and you. Training must be done at any time of the day and at the different weather conditions.

This skill is performed well if the dog runs to the trainer from any distance, any time of day, according to the first command and gesture, runs around the right side and sits down at the left trainer leg.


Possible Trainer Mistakes

1) Command "Heel!" said in threatened intonation.

2) Too strong dog stretching with a leash.

3) Punishment when a dog comes to its trainer.

Learn more about this author, Kerlain Kate.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.