Dogs

How to Teach Puppies to Heel

When teaching a puppy basic obedience and commands, you will want to teach it how to heel so it can learn to walk beside you, paying attention to you and listening for your commands. Learning to heel helps your puppy navigate through crowds, learn to stay with you and walk effectively on a leash. Teaching your puppy will require some skill and determination on your part, but it can be accomplished with the use of treats and daily practice.

Instructions

Walk and have your puppy follow along beside you. To get its attention, lightly clap your hands in front of its face or say its name several times. Make sure it is paying attention and then increase your gait and have it follow along. If it is not paying attention, stop for a moment, and lightly clap again and say its name to get it to follow you.

Have your puppy follow along right next to you as you walk along. Once your puppy is matching your gait, you may pick up the pace. Make sure your puppy is giving its full attention to you as you walk. If it scampers ahead, stop and call it over. Once it is next to your leg and following your gait, reward it with praise and a treat.

Practice walking across your back yard or at a park with your puppy matching your gait. Be sure to take frequent breaks for water, as puppies need a drink and some rest in between their training sessions. If your puppy is having trouble paying attention, it might be time to stop for a play break as well. After a short interval, you may start practicing again. Very soon your puppy will start to catch on that you would like it to "heel," and this means walking beside you.

Practice making turns with your puppy heeling. Start with right turns, because these are easier for young dogs to manage. As you are turning, bend down and clap your hands in front of your puppy's nose to make sure it is paying attention. You can then move into left turns. Left turns will require you to move your foot in front of the puppy, so be careful you do not step on it. Your puppy will start catching on to which way you would like it to turn as you walk.

Break the heeling lesson up into short intervals over several weeks. Like a young child, a puppy needs to take baby steps while learning to heel. During the winter months, or if you do not have access to a yard, you may practice how to heel with your puppy in a long hallway or the basement of your home.

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Dogs