Who knows the best heel training?

• 10-10-2009 8:56 AM

  gg4000 Joined on 10-10-2009 Posts 5 Points 10	Who knows the best heel training? Reply Contact Nico is too far ahead. He wants to lead, not follow. Any tips?   Meet Nico http://gg4000.com
  	Filed under: gsd, Heel Post Points: 0

• 10-10-2009 10:16 AM

  In reply to gg4000

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 The Florida Panhandle Posts 13,486 Points 405

  Re: Who knows the best heel training? Reply Contact Why does he have to follow?  It simply isn't the natural style for a dog, especially a gsd pup to walk sedately behind anyone.  My dogs are free to be dogs when we walk as long as they use their manners and heel when I request it.  One thing that might help is to increase your chatter as you are walking.  This keeps the pups focus more on you, but, at this age, the world is pretty darned fascinating, so YOU need to be as well. A house without fur is not a home. Glenda ,

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• 10-10-2009 11:40 AM

  In reply to glenmar

  Cita Joined on 12-13-2006 CT Posts 5,626 Points 850

  Re: Who knows the best heel training? Reply Contact  Well, if you want to train him to walk behind you or at your side, you can certainly do so. Simply a manner of personal preference - there is no "right" way to walk a dog. I let my little guy walk in front of me because he naturally walks faster than I do, and if he's a little ahead he can stop and sniff something while I catch up without breaking my walk-rhythm. Plus, I can better see when he's about to do something wrong (like pee on someone's car, or eat a piece of trash) and then I can direct his behavior before he actually gets himself into trouble.  Do you want to teach a "proper heel," like for competitive obedience, or do you just want to teach a "loose leash walk," so your dog isn't pulling on you?

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• 10-10-2009 3:10 PM

  In reply to Cita

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,788 Points 230

  Re: Who knows the best heel training? Reply Contact  we had a sheltiexcollie that would heel naturally, even when she was a puppy. she literally would walk so close behind you that...1. you didnt know she was there until 2. her nose bumped your heel... you would be looking all over the place for this ball of black fluff, calling her name, patting your thigh.. only to find out she WAS with you. just behind you and every time you moved.. she moved too. of course i had never had a dog like her before or sense so i dont know if that was just her weird personality or if collies are usually like that. and i've never owned a shepherd puppy. shep. mixes sure.. but usually mixed with something like Doberman or chow.

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• 10-10-2009 4:51 PM

  In reply to DumDog

  huskymom Joined on 09-10-2007 Thunder Bay ON Posts 7,534 Points 630

  Re: Who knows the best heel training? Reply Contact  I like my dogs to walk beside me with their heads up.  Once we get on the trails, the longline goes on and then they are free to wander around, sniffing and sprinting here and there.  They still are not allowed to pull me, and if they do so, the immediate result is a full and complete stop until they come back and fall into heel position again.  After I move, I'll release them to roam once more.  I started inside on the heel command.  I doubt its a proper heel.  They walk beside me, with their shoulder around even with my leg.  Probably a little far ahead, but they look good there.  Like we're walking together.  Anyway, I started inside with very little distraction, and no leash.  After I introduced the leash we moved outside at night or in the early early morning when nobody else was around.  Now Crusher at least will heel almost anywhere aside from a crowd of other dogs.  We avoid situations like that. Candace

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