Are you tired of your dog pulling on the leash during walks? Teaching your dog to heel can greatly improve your walking experience and keep you and your dog safe. Heeling — while a crucial training skill to practice — is also one of the harder things to master. It's important to manage expectations when introducing and practicing this skill. It takes lots of time to build a loose leash habit and to be able to heel around distractions.

Heeling is not a natural behavior for dogs and is a quite difficult skill. It's not a fun way to go on walks for long durations when they'd much rather be following their nose and sniffing. Make sure to give your dog many sniffing opportunities and more relaxed walks while training the heel cue. Have patience and focus on having fun while training.

Benefits of Teaching Your Dog To Heel

Teaching your dog to heel offers various benefits and safety for both you and your dog:

1. Better control. Heeling gives you greater control over your dog's behavior, reducing the chances of accidents or unwanted incidents.
2. Safety during walks. Dogs that heel are less likely to pull or lunge at other animals, pedestrians, or cars, ensuring a safer walking experience.
3. Social acceptance. Well-behaved dogs that heel are more welcome in public places, as they are seen as under control and not a nuisance or danger for passers-by.

How To Teach a Dog To Heel

Some dogs are naturally quick learners (while others take more time) but following a step-by-step process helps all dogs learn. If you feel like you aren’t making progress, you can always pause and move back to the previous step to refresh your dog’s memory.

• Start with the proper gear. It's best to walk your dog on a harness because it reduces pressure on, or potential injury to, your dog's neck area. Choose a Y-shaped harness that fits your dog comfortably and allows your dog to move freely. Use a six-foot leash that's comfortable for you to hold. Avoid using retractable leashes, as they can hinder proper leash training.
• Build value in the heel position. The heeling position is when your dog walks calmly at your side, in line with your leg. Traditionally, a heel is on your left side, however some people prefer their dog heels on their right side. The side you teach your dog to heel on is completely up to you, but if you ever plan on competing in obedience or other dog sports, it's best to train them to heel on your left.
• Positively reinforce the heel position. Use a treat to lure your dog into the heel position. Say "yes" and give them the treat when they get into position. Take one to two steps, helping them stay in position with a treat in front of their nose, say "yes" and deliver another treat.
• Introduce the verbal cue. Start by saying the word or phrase you want to associate with heeling ("heel" or "with me"). Say it in a calm, but happy tone at the beginning of each repetition before you lure your dog into the heel position to establish the cue association.
• Reward your dog with treats, verbal praise, and petting for walking calmly by your side. Consistently reward and praise your dog when they are in the heeling position to reinforce the desired behavior.
• Gradually increase the duration of heeling. When your dog knows the heel cue, begin with short walks and gradually increase the length of time your dog needs to heel. Be patient and remember that consistency is key. A close heel should not make up the entire walk. A dog needs to stop and sniff to truly get the mental enrichment they need on walks. Heeling is best done for a maximum of one to two minutes at a time, such as when you're walking past distractions.

Do's and Don'ts of Teaching a Dog To Heel

Like training any type of cue or behavior, training your dog to heel will take time and patience. Here are some dos and don’ts to help teach this cue.

• Keep these sessions short and fun, just two or three repetitions at a time. Allow your dog to sniff or have a play session in between each session. Longer duration heeling takes lots of practice, and you don't want your dog to get frustrated or bored when you're first starting out teaching them to heel.
• Use high-value rewards. Choose treats that your dog finds particularly enticing as rewards during training sessions. This will increase their motivation to heel around distractions.
• Remain consistent. Consistency is crucial when teaching your dog to heel. Use the same cue and keep your expectations consistent for your dog.
• Avoid punishment. Never punish or inflict physical harm on your dog when they fail to heel. Instead, redirect their attention and focus by using positive reinforcement techniques.
• Practice in different environments. Once your dog masters heeling in a distraction-free area, gradually expose them to different environments, such as parks or crowded streets, to reinforce their heeling skills.
• Seek professional help if needed. If you're struggling with training or your dog displays signs of aggression or fear during heeling, consider seeking guidance from a professional certified dog trainer or behavior consultant.

Teaching your dog to heel is an essential skill that promotes safety, control, and effective communication between you and your dog. By staying committed to training, you can successfully teach your dog to heel. Remember to be patient and consistent, and reward positive behavior to transform your walks into enjoyable and stress-free experiences for both you and your dog.