How to Train a Dog to Heel

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Jim Leske, animal trainer for Expert Village. Today we're talking about basic dog training tips and now we're going to work on the heel. Heel has a very long tradition and it's traditionally done just like on horses, everything is done on your left. So Bear is going to be on my left at all times. The heel means that in a walking heel, his front right leg is going to be parallel with my leg at all times is the goal. Again, I'm not using the leash as a steering wheel, as a rudder, as handle bars, as anything, it's just here, a short as leash as possible on the heel. Keep him as close as possible to me without stepping on him and of course he needs to keep up with me, no pulling on the leash by me or him. So with that, I'm using my food reward and we're just going to do a quick circle here, Bear, let's heel, very good, now, you see some times I lose their attention. I call his name, Bear, good, heel, very good, I get that attention back on me, very good, get him right back and focused on me, the more I talk to him the more he focuses on me, good, heel Bear, very good, heel, and then we always finish with the automatic sit, very very good job, very good. I'm Jim Leske, that was the heel. When we come back, we're going to work on the stand and stay."