Teaching the heel command

DanniGirl · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:23 pm Post subject: Teaching the heel command

When I take her for a walk, generally speaking she does ok. I use a choke chain and when kind of veers in one direction I will give it a sharp tug to let her know that behavior is not acceptable. (I take her for a walk, she does not take me)
Eventually, I hope to have her walk beside me as if the leash was nonexistent.
How is the best way to go about this?

Thank you!

anne · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:17 pm Post subject:

Loose leash walking and heel are different. There have been posts on this board about loose leash walking, I'm sure a search will bring it up. For heeling (head by left leg, no sniffing, sit when stopped), I highly recomend the book "Choose to Heel" by Dawn Jecs.

DanniGirl · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:27 pm Post subject:

Thanks!

emily · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

I use two different commands for loose leash walking and obedience heeling. So if you want to accomplish both I suggest distinguishing between the two. For us the loose leash command is "easy". For obedience we use "heel". Definitely check out the book anne suggested it too. If you're interested in doing formal obedience see if there is an obedience club in your area. I joined one and it has saved me a lot of money on classes. Not to mention getting all the expert advice from fellow members. After 1 year we earned our Rally Novice and our Companion dog title. I couldn't have done this so fast without joining the club. Defintely check it out if you're interested.

DanniGirl · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks...I will look into that tomorrow!