Member-only story

Harold Guide To Walking To Heel: The Ultimate Guide to Training Your Dog to Walk Politely by Your Side

Edgar Cox

·10.2k Followers· Follow

Published in The Oxford Dog Training Company Presents: Harold S Guide To Walking To Heel: Introducing The Command Heel

4 min read

320 View Claps

29 Respond

Save

Listen

Walking your dog on a loose leash is a fundamental skill that every dog owner should teach their pet. It's not only essential for your dog's safety, but it also makes walks more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend.

However, teaching a dog to walk to heel can be a challenge, especially if you're not sure where to start. That's where Harold comes in.

Harold is a world-renowned dog trainer who has helped countless dog owners teach their dogs to walk to heel politely. In this guide, Harold will share his step-by-step method for teaching your dog to walk to heel, along with helpful tips and troubleshooting advice.

The Oxford Dog Training Company Presents: Harold's Guide to Walking to Heel: Introducing the command 'heel.'

by Sayjai Thawornsupacharoen

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5794 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	4 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

Getting Started

Before you start teaching your dog to walk to heel, it's important to make sure that they have a solid foundation in basic obedience commands, such as sit, stay, and come. Once your dog has mastered these commands, you can begin teaching them to walk to heel.

The first step is to choose a quiet, distraction-free area to practice. You'll also need a high-value treat that your dog will work for, such as small pieces of chicken or cheese.

The Step-by-Step Method

Start by teaching your dog to focus on you. To do this, hold a treat in front of your dog's nose and say their name. When they make eye contact with you, give them the treat. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog is consistently looking at you when you say their name.
Once your dog is consistently focusing on you, start walking forward and say "heel." Keep the treat in front of your dog's nose and lure them to walk beside you. As they walk, keep saying "heel."
If your dog starts to pull ahead, stop walking and say "no." Then, turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Once your dog calms down, start walking forward again and say "heel."
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until your dog is walking beside you without pulling. Once they've mastered this, you can start gradually increasing the distance you walk and the level of distraction in the environment.

Troubleshooting

If you're having trouble teaching your dog to walk to heel, there are a few things you can try:

Make sure you're using a high-value treat. If your dog isn't interested in the treat, they're not going to be motivated to walk to heel.
Be patient and consistent. It takes time and practice to teach a dog to walk to heel. Don't get discouraged if your dog doesn't get it right away. Just keep practicing and they'll eventually get the hang of it.
Break the training down into small steps. Don't try to teach your dog to walk to heel in one session. Start by teaching them to focus on you and then gradually add more distance and distraction.
Get help from a professional. If you're struggling to teach your dog to walk to heel on your own, don't hesitate to get help from a professional dog trainer.

Teaching your dog to walk to heel is a valuable skill that will benefit both you and your furry friend. By following the step-by-step method outlined in this guide, you can teach your dog to walk politely by your side, even in the most distracting environments.

The Oxford Dog Training Company Presents: Harold's Guide to Walking to Heel: Introducing the command 'heel.'

by Sayjai Thawornsupacharoen

5 out of 5