Week 4 Lured Heel Step 2 (AFTER GOALS OF LURED HEEL STEP 1 ARE MET)

 Equipment Needed:  6’ Leash, Training Collar, OR a Slip Lead 

Explanation and Goal of Exercise:  The goal of heeling is to have your dog in an exact position for ease of movement in a busy city, or when you are bringing in the groceries, or just so you don't trip over your dog. Heeling also keeps your dog focused on you rather than jumping on an interesting human or dog, OR becoming snarky with a passing stranger or strange dog.  

 

Also teaches the owner the concept of slack leash = more control. So that the opposition reflex of a taunt does not kick in, or the formula for aggression is restraint + frustration = aggression. We are teaching the dog to decide correctly and be focused on their "job". A dog's job can be as simple as allowing for a stress-free walk.  
  
Due to the configuration of training collars and the need to pick a side, generally, heeling is on the left-hand side of the handler, with the dog ideally a foot away from the handler, their shoulders should be around where your hip is if it went straight down, and their head should be a bit in front so you can see it peripherally. 


Lured Heel Step 2 Directions: 

STEP 1:   Lure your puppy or dog into a sit in heel position (puppy's shoulder should line up with your leg) on the side of you and facing in the same direction as you. 

STEP 2: The hand holding the food reward will now be behind your back.  Remember it is your left hand holding the reward, your arm will be bent at the elbow, and held up and behind your back. 
STEP 3:  Call your dog's name (remember the attention exercises) and when your dog looks at you, say "heel" as you step forward with your left leg. 
STEP 4:  When you start your heel, keep the food reward behind your back.   Start by attempting just five steps forward at first.   Be sure to use your marker word to mark a good position, “Good” boy or girl. 

STEP 5A:  If your dog is not in a sit (you can still say sit if your dog hasn’t quite gotten the auto sit yet) as you stop, give the verbal marker “No” and lure them with your hand into the correct position, which is beside you in the same direction you are, with their shoulder at your leg. 

STEP 5B:  End this with your dog in a sit (lure with your hand like the spin exercise into the correct position if you have to), and only if they are in a sit, use your marker release word “Yes" as you present the food reward. 

STEP 6:  Repeat.  Do 10 or 15 reps of this (not necessarily all at the same time). If the puppy starts looking tired or flat at the end of a session, then do a shorter session next time.   Or just a few minutes of this at each session. 

© 2005 Robin Rubin DBA Mannerly Mutts     

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