Teaching your dog the “heel” command is a cornerstone of responsible pet ownership, fostering a stronger bond and ensuring your dog walks politely by your side, whether on a busy street or a quiet trail. This fundamental skill prevents pulling, lagging, and uncontrolled behavior, making walks enjoyable for both you and your canine companion. While the goal is a responsive dog, the journey requires patience, consistency, and the right tools. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of teaching a dog to heel, starting with foundational techniques and gradually integrating an e-collar for precise reinforcement, leading to reliable off-leash control.
Developing a consistent routine with your dog is crucial before introducing new concepts. By now, your dog should reliably respond to commands like “come” and “sit” and understand “stay” even amidst minor distractions. These established routines build a foundation of trust and understanding between you and your pet, making the introduction of new commands, such as heeling, a more fluid and positive experience. Recognize the progress you’ve both made in your training journey, celebrating small victories that reinforce your bond.
When you teach your dog to heel, you’re introducing a new concept: maintaining a specific position relative to you. This means your dog will stay at your side, whether you’re standing, walking, running, or even cycling. The objective is for your dog to walk without charging ahead, tugging at the lead, or lagging behind to sniff distractions. Instead, they should be attentive to your movements and follow your lead. This skill is vital for preventing common issues like a dog that pulls on the lead, which can be frustrating and even dangerous. If your my dog will not stop pulling on the lead, mastering the heel command is an essential step.
The most critical aspect of successful heeling is maintaining your dog’s attention. Therefore, it’s best to conduct short, frequent, and focused training sessions, typically lasting 5-10 minutes. Be mindful not to push your dog beyond their capacity to focus, as overtaxing them can lead to confusion and frustration. Heeling is a challenging lesson that demands immense patience, consistency, and persistence from your end. While the process may seem daunting, it is achievable without a professional dog trainer, requiring only a few dedicated training sessions from you.
Teach the “Heel” Command without an E-Collar
Before introducing an e-collar, it’s essential to establish the verbal command and the desired behavior using traditional leash and collar methods. This builds a clear understanding of what “heel” means.
Lesson One: Establishing the Heel Zone
Begin with your dog standing calmly at your left side, wearing a flat collar, a six-foot lead, and the e-collar (turned off for now, or on a very low, non-corrective setting to habituate them). Visualize a four to five-foot circular “heel zone” around you; this is the initial area where your dog should aim to stay.
Gain your dog’s attention by calling their name or gently touching their head. Once they look at you, step off quickly with your left foot and begin walking briskly forward. Your dog should naturally start moving with you. If they don’t, continue walking without stopping, allowing the lead to guide them. The moment your dog returns to the four-foot heel zone, ensure the lead is slack and offer enthusiastic praise. If your dog starts to forge ahead, immediately turn 180 degrees and keep walking. This abrupt change in direction will use the lead to deliver a quick, mild correction if they don’t follow immediately, effectively regaining their attention. Continue walking in straight lines, remembering to release tension on the lead and praise your dog whenever they are within the heel zone. The goal is for your dog to learn that maintaining position at your side eliminates pressure from the lead. Repeat these 180-degree turns, and later introduce 90-degree turns, each time your dog moves too far ahead, until they are consistently watching you closely.
A black German Shepherd sitting down patiently
REVIEW: Establishing the Heel Zone
- With your dog at your side, get their attention.
- When they look at you, begin briskly walking forward, stepping off with your left foot.
- If your dog lags behind, let the lead provide a correction; do not stop moving forward.
- If your dog forges ahead, quickly turn 180 degrees, allowing the lead to correct them.
- When your dog is within the heel zone, let the lead go slack and offer praise.
- Keep these lessons short and frequent to maintain focus.
What if…
If your dog struggles to stay attentive using their name alone, introduce a high-value treat or a favorite toy as bait to capture and hold their attention. Once focused, begin walking briskly. Your dog should follow closely, anticipating the reward. This technique is particularly effective for easily distracted puppies. However, be cautious not to overuse bait; only reward successful heeling. Gradually phase out the tangible reward once your dog consistently demonstrates an understanding of the command. For a dog that struggles with pulling, understanding getting a dog to walk to heel efficiently is key.
Lesson Two: Adding the Command
Once your dog can consistently walk at your side for at least ten steps with sustained attention on you, it’s time to introduce the verbal command “Heel.” Get your dog’s attention, then slap your left hip as you command “Heel,” and immediately begin walking. Use a quick leash snap as a correction if your dog moves out of the heel zone. As your dog becomes more attentive and maintains position, start changing directions randomly. Initially, this might confuse them, but it will quickly teach them to watch you intently to anticipate your movements and stay in position. This stage often requires many repetitions, but some dogs may find the challenge of following your lead enjoyable, leading to a quicker grasp of the heel command. Learning how to teach dog to walk on leash without pulling becomes much easier with a solid heel foundation.
REVIEW: Adding the Command
- With your dog at your side, get their attention.
- When they look at you, slap your hip, command “Heel,” and walk forward.
- Praise them when they are within the heel zone, ensuring the lead is slack.
- Change directions frequently to keep them engaged and attentive.
- Provide many repetitions to ensure thorough understanding.
A black and white Jack Russel sitting on the grass attentively
Teach the “Heel” Command with an E-Collar
By this stage, your dog should have a clear understanding that the “Heel” command means staying at your side, regardless of your movement. Up to now, you’ve primarily used positive aversion (leash corrections) to signal when your dog was outside the heel position. Now, we will transition to a negative aversion technique, replacing the leash correction with e-collar stimulation. The principle here is to apply stimulation precisely when the dog is not in position and remove it the moment they comply. If you’ve been following a structured e-collar introduction program, your dog should already be familiar with the e-collar sensation and understand that performing the commanded action stops the sensation. If not, it is crucial to go back and introduce the electronic collar properly before proceeding. Ignoring this step can lead to confusion and a breakdown in trust with the tool. Understanding how to train dog not to tug on leash often benefits from proper e-collar integration.
Lesson One: Establishing the Heel Zone with E-Collar
For this lesson, begin with your dog standing at your side, wearing both their flat collar with leash and the e-collar. Hold the lead in your right hand and a treat in your left. You will now reduce the “heel zone” to a tighter two-to-three-foot circle. Command “Heel” and begin walking forward. If your dog is doing well at staying next to you, quickly change directions. As the leash tightens due to your dog drifting, begin tapping the e-collar remote and command “Heel” again. It’s critical to start tapping precisely when the lead tightens, not when your dog is already moving back towards you. Continue tapping until your dog moves back into the correct heel position, then immediately stop tapping and offer praise and a treat. Repeat this routine in various locations until your dog consistently maintains the heel position for extended periods. For minor deviations from the zone, use a leash correction only, reserving e-collar stimulation for more significant drifts or when the leash alone is insufficient.
REVIEW: Establishing the Heel Zone with E-Collar
- Stepping forward with your left foot, command “Heel.”
- Change directions when your dog drifts outside the two-to-three-foot heel zone.
- When the leash tightens, begin tapping the e-collar remote.
- Stop tapping the moment your dog returns to the heel zone.
- Praise and reward with a treat when your dog walks at your side, within the heel zone.
- Use only the leash for minor errors.
Lesson Two: Heeling Off Lead
Once your dog consistently maintains the heel position for extended periods, even through changes in direction and speed, you are ready to begin phasing out the lead. It is paramount to practice this lesson in a safe, securely fenced area. Your dog should still wear their flat collar, and the e-collar, but let the leash drag loosely or drape it over their back. Get your dog’s attention, command “Heel,” and begin walking forward. If your dog drifts out of the proper position, immediately change directions and begin tapping the remote until they return to your side. Once they are back in position, stop tapping and offer praise. Always conclude the lesson on a positive note, engaging in a fun activity or play session to reinforce the positive association with training. This is a crucial step towards achieving reliable off-leash control. If your my dog wont stop pulling on the leash even after earlier training, this advanced stage can solidify their understanding.
REVIEW: Heeling Off Lead
- With your dog at your side, let their leash drag or drape over their back.
- Command “Heel” and start walking forward, left foot first.
- When your dog drifts out of the heel zone, tap the remote.
- When they are in the heel position, stop tapping.
- Praise your dog when they heel properly.
Lesson Three: Distractions
When your dog reliably heels off-leash in a secured area, you can begin introducing distractions. Enlisting an assistant to help create controlled distractions can be beneficial. Initially, keep your dog’s flat collar and lead on; this provides a safety net if your dog bolts towards a distraction, allowing you to step on the lead for a quick correction. Be prepared to increase the e-collar stimulation level if distractions are significant, as your dog’s attention may be split. It is vital to remain patient and avoid frustration. Your dog requires numerous repetitions to condition them to respond to your commands rather than their instincts. This can be a slow process for some dogs, so be attentive to your companion’s needs and avoid overworking them. Gradually increasing the intensity and variety of distractions will build a truly bomb-proof heel.
Lesson Four: Adding the Automatic Sit
Now that your dog can heel reliably both on and off-leash, the next step is to incorporate the “automatic sit.” Every time you stop walking, immediately command “Sit.” Reinforce this with e-collar stimulation if necessary, and even physically place them into the sit position if they are slow to respond. Since your dog already understands the “Sit” command, they should catch on quickly to this automatic response. Many dogs can learn the automatic sit in a single training session, adding a polished and functional element to their heeling behavior.
What if…
If your dog is leaning on you or heeling so closely that they impede your movement, you might be correcting them with the e-collar when they are too near. Relax the size of the heel circle and only correct when they drift too far out. Incorporating more left turns and varied speeds can also keep your dog engaged and attentive to your movements, preventing them from getting too comfortable in an undesirable position.
If your dog seems confused by the e-collar corrections, revert to leash training alone for at least a full week. Reintroduce the remote trainer once they are proficient at complying with the command using the leash. This step-back can help clarify expectations.
If your dog consistently ignores the electronic collar corrections, it indicates the stimulation level may be too low. Gradually increase the intensity until you find the minimum level that consistently gets your dog’s attention and prompts a response.
Finally, if your dog lags all the time, they are likely bored. Heeling, while important, isn’t inherently exciting for most dogs. Remember to keep lessons short, maintain a positive attitude, and intersperse training with play sessions and other commands your dog has already mastered. This helps keep training engaging and enjoyable for your canine partner.
