CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Puppies => Topic started by: Bluepaula on October 03, 2015, 04:20:34 PM
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Learning to heel? All tips appreciated ;)
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Going through this myself - my very best advice is patience, persistence and don't succumb to short cuts (harnesses, face things etc)
You should be taking the dog for a walk not the other way around ;) so every time your pup goes ahead of you, call their name to attract their attention and turn in the opposite direction. We often spend 15 minutes "heeling" and never get off the drive! The other brilliant tip I picked up at a training day last week involves a tin of sardines.....
If you want your dog to heel on your left : hold the lead in your right hand, with the rope behind your legs, that way the pup cannot go in front of you too far....put the ends of your fingers (left hand) in some nice smelly sardines, mackerel or tuna in oil and let the pup lick the fish from your fingers as you walk. Walk at quite a pace so they have to trot to keep up, change direction often so they have to "think" to keep up.
Continually say "heel" and praise when they are doing it correctly.....lots of soft verbal praise....if they pull forward, stop and wait until the lead goes slack.
I choose to use a slip lead for both methods. Take care not to lean over your pup as they may find it a little intimidating.
It does work, Coral is much better now but is still very impulsive so a work in progress :005:
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Hi.
Bonnie was driving me to distraction too- only 4.5 months but a big lass and very excited about everything. This last two weeks we've been doing loose lease walking using clicker training and she's come on amazingly. Essentially you click and treat when she's walking in position, and as soon as she pulls, stop, bring her back to your side, and start again. Loads of videos online, start with Karen Prior maybe?
At first it's a very short walk as everyone is getting used to it, but in the two weeks the walks have got longer and longer. I do feel a bit 'special' wandering round with my clicker and treat bag and telling her how wonderful she is (well, she is) but it's much better than being dragged around by her! The bar gets higher as she gets better (so has to be close and do it for longer before click and treat) and I love watching her figure it out.
Happy to find you some good references if you like.
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Be patient
If you're in a rush to get anywhere and can't train then its best to use a stop-pull type harness or headcollar - if you have the time to train then do so then or you'll set him up to fail
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I used a similar clicker method but as already said be patient and consistent. Don't go out unless you have the time to train. Set the tone before you leave the house. Wait at the door/gate, open, walk out then wait again before walking down the drive. I stop every time Maddie gets to the end of the lead. It's very frustrating but pays off in the end. She very often needs a reminder every time we go out!
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I used a similar clicker method but as already said be patient and consistent. Don't go out unless you have the time to train.
trouble is in some instances then someone may not ever get the puppy out as its not always possible to do this (+ more importantly socialising should be top of the list still) + sometimes you just have to chill a little and not stress yourself out either in trying to race to achieve your goal as this will add to stress to your puppy. To be honest training should be fun and not a chore
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Thanks for great tips everyone appreciate it! ;)