For many dog owners, teaching their puppy to heel is one of the most important goals of obedience training.
After all, there’s nothing worse than being dragged down the street by a pup who’s determined to go his own way.
Luckily, teaching a puppy how to heel isn’t really that hard. In fact, it is simple that it only takes a few minutes each day.
That being said, here are five easy steps you can get started:
Start by taking small steps
Do not get discouraged if your puppy isn’t getting it right away.
Remember that puppies have short attention spans and get tired quickly so keep it short and stimulating.
Some dogs progress faster than others so don’t be disheartened if it takes your pup longer to work it out.
You see, any form of training takes time, patience, and repetition. Which is why if you need to take the stress off you and your pup, try enrolling in a puppy obedience class, like this Dog Training in Brighton, where you will get support and guidance from professional trainers.
Practice in a quiet, low-traffic area
This could be your backyard or even inside your house. Whether your puppy heel is on the left or the right, make sure you are consistent.
(Pro Tip: Place the leash in your right hand, and the puppy in your left. Hold leash with thumb through loop and grasp handle in the palm.)
For example, you can try walking around your neighbourhood or the park.
Remember, baby steps are critical when teaching a puppy to heel. Just go at your puppy’s pace and not push him too hard or too fast.
Gradually increase the number of distractions
Speaking of not pushing your pup too hard, it’s important to gradually increase the number of distractions around him when you’re teaching new commands.
So take things slow and steady. As your puppy masters the basics, you can begin to add more distractions.
Some of the most common examples include other people, other animals, and different types of noises.
Again, you need to go at your puppy’s pace. If he seems overwhelmed, take a step back and make the environment less challenging.
Once your puppy can heel despite all sorts of distractions, you’ll know he’s really got it down!
Reward your puppy for good behaviour
Often, puppies will heel best if you use a treat to lure them with a treat in your hand, and as soon as he’s in the correct position, say “heel” and give him the treat.
Consistency with commands and rewards
They will make mistakes along the way.
If you give up too quickly, your puppy will get confused and won’t understand what it is you’re trying to teach him.
And before you know it, he’ll be heeling like a pro!
Points To Remember
- Multiple, short sessions are ideal to start with.
- Don’t panic if your puppy is distracted, you can always put them away and try again after.
- Start in low distraction environments and build up.
- Build slowly on duration and distraction.
- And lastly, make sure your puppy has been toileted before commencing.
So there you have it – these are the five easy steps to teaching your puppy how to heel.
If you’re patient and consistent, you’ll be surprised at how quickly your puppy picks it up.
If you have any tips or tricks of your own, please share them in the comments below.
Or, if you’re someone who struggles with teaching your puppy to heel, we’d love to help.
Feel free to reach out to us and book a 7-day free trial lesson online. We’re always happy to help!
Until our next blog post,
