Dog Community

Teaching 7 year old to Heel!

Posted : 8/19/2006 12:31:23 PM

Hi everyone.

Our rescue dog Fly is seven already and mostly a well-behaved dog but teaching her to heel is a task! When she's out on the lead she is "in the zone" and doesn't come out of it til we get to the park or get back to the house. The second she sees you with the lead/harness in your hand, that's it, she's in the zone and won't pay attention to anything- treats, balls, your voice. Can someone help me? She's a lovely dog.

I originally tried her with a collar rather than a harness but changed because I was afraid she would hurt herself with how hard she pulled.

Thanks

Jeff Cornella

Posted : 8/19/2006 3:58:04 PM

I would use the same techniques as I would on any other dog, but with fly, I would exhaust her prior to the training session. I would absolutely run her down (via treadmill, dog park, daycare day, long hike, fetch, maybe all of these). I would do whatever it takes to bring her back down to a normal pace. Then i would put her on a standard flat collar and use some basic clicker training to get her on track. EXCERCISE IS KEY!

I am no a fan of teaching a heel on harness. I find it encourages pulling in som dogs.

Xerxes

Posted : 8/19/2006 5:43:35 PM

I have to agree. Get this dog exercise prior to training sessions. Also keep your training sessions short and fun, over the period of an hour walking time I'd have maybe 2-4 three minute sessions. Don't allow your dog to get bored, that's the quickest way to failure IMO. For teaching heel, I would always always have some high value treats in my pocket. (roast beef, cooked chicken, freeze dried liver etc) The second she's in the right position reward and praise. As soon as she's out of position, ignore.

spiritdogs

Posted : 8/19/2006 7:06:02 PM

There's a handy dandy little website called clickersolutions.com that may have some articles on heeling. I find clicker training is great for dogs that have bad habits you are trying to correct. It's probably too distracting for her to learn this on lead outdoors. I would find a safe indoor area, or a boring, but fenced outside area to work in. I usually teach heeling off lead first, hence the need to be safely fenced in.

Jeff Cornella

Posted : 8/19/2006 8:07:12 PM

Spiritdogs makes a good point. I typically allow the dog to get bored of the area before I start training. I allow enough off leash time for the dog to sniff everything out, and then wander back to me.

jo drysdale

Posted : 8/25/2006 12:43:37 PM

Great answers, everyone- thank you very much. I like the clicker website a lot! Can't wait to get started, with my exhausted dog [

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Debbie R

Posted : 8/25/2006 1:17:28 PM

Spiritdogs makes a good point.

She always does. That's why she gets the big bucks on this board lol.
I thank God for Anne