Dog Community

Off-Leash Heel

Posted : 3/26/2013 6:50:58 PM

I am working on getting my Sheltie to watch me and be "one" with me during heel. She loose-leash walks and heels when I give her the command right before we stop. But she's not paying attention to me during the walk. I'm having a hard time getting her to look up at me. She is not very food motivated. And a toy isn't a high enough drive either. I was thinking about not feeding her in the day and then in the evening using food. Our trainer suggested putting food in my mouth so she'll look up at my face.

Anywho, she is mastering things really well and fast so this is the next big thing for us to work on so I can get her off-leash in heel. Let me know if you have any advice or tips for me! Thanks!

Freedom

Posted : 3/26/2013 9:48:24 PM

Is this for conformation or Rally O? Or just basic walking around the neighborhood, basic manners sort of thing?

Our Basic Manners does not do much heel work. Our trainer says, "heel means walk at an uncomfortable pace and get bored," so we are only to use it for short periods - like if there is a parked car we have to walk past.

But, I don't think a dog LOOKS up at me much when walking - they have to know where they are putting their feet and also be aware of anything coming towards them.

oranges81

Posted : 3/27/2013 12:06:58 AM

A true performance heel takes a lot of work. Dodger is just now getting the concept of looking up at me while walking nice and keeping his butt in line.

Go back to the beginning, get some HIGH value stuff (i use roasted chicken) and reward her for looking up at you from a heel position. Slowly increase time that she has to look up.Then add one step, reward, two steps reward, ect. If she swings her butt out, practice heeling next to a wall.

Forgot to add, Use a drag line so you have a safety net to step on. Your pup is still young so keep sessions short. And don't be afraid to talk to her to get her to look at you.

JesDaMom

Posted : 3/27/2013 9:19:44 AM

Perfect. Thank you. Yes it's for working towards Obedience or Rally. Since she's only 6 months old and mastered all the CGC stuff at this point in class we are working on challenges for me and taking things up a notch.

EZeke

Posted : 3/27/2013 9:49:31 AM

I don't have any tips, I just wanted to say I'm jealous Smile

. I've had Zeke almost a year, and he is just now maybe,almost, getting walking on a loose leash. You have a very, very good puppy!

oranges81

Posted : 3/27/2013 3:11:29 PM

Youtube has some great videos for heeling. Later tonight I'll post some links when I'm on my computer

ETA: Adding some links.. Best advise I can give while using Youtube is take everything and make it yours. Try it their way and if it doesn't work, tweak it a bit so it does Smile

http://www.youtube.com/user/ForrestMicke This guy is good and I like his videos

http://www.youtube.com/user/tdfn This one is clicker training a blind dog.. It has some good tips for every day training

JesDaMom

Posted : 3/28/2013 8:48:11 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R29HQAEJZJY

^^^ This is EXACTLY what I want to work on. I want to looking to me and Targeting my left leg and learning how to Heel and Finish :) I know it will take time I just want to learn all the ways possible to help her do it. Gonna try using the wall like you suggested.

oranges81

Posted : 3/28/2013 11:12:23 PM

If she's not aware she has a butt, you can start to work on pivoting on a bowl. It's a great way to teach the pretty pivot Smile

JesDaMom

Posted : 3/29/2013 7:55:10 PM

She acts so PARANOID sometimes while we practice like huh?! what?! where do I go?! eehhh ahhh am I doing it right? she needs a Xnanx... LOL!!

oranges81

Posted : 3/29/2013 8:31:40 PM

LOL! You need to get it on video Wink