Interesting information to get your dog to heel!

[Dan]

Top barks- I you har any problems pm me I ha a very valid reason I couldn't attend you now that no need to shout ya big mouth out on the forum plus I'm training her myself and had advice from someone that's done it before not everything you say is right things work differently for everyone!

Yes, I agree pm'ing would be better in this case but there is no need for rude comments either thanks Dan.  Please keep your comments civil.

Sorry Helen it jut annoyed me I had a valid reason I wouldn't like to discuss! Tere was no need I only posted a training suggestion!
Thanks

[Top Barks]

So lets get back on topic and tell the forum why you think this method would benefit the members?
have you tried any other techniques? what successes or failures did you have?

[Dan]

I haven't tried many things if I'm honest! I have Only just recently started to get her into heel as I have waited months as the book I'm reading says wait till she is 6 months i started her on the lead by tugging once and sayin heel not all the time but every now and agajn and I dot always rattle the keys I only rattle them when she gets carried away!
And I didn't say it is guaranteed to work I said it worked 100% for me maybe it is the wrong way to do it but you live and learn!
What would be the way you would train them to heel?

[Top Barks]

I haven't tried many things if I'm honest! I have Only just recently started to get her into heel as I have waited months as the book I'm reading says wait till she is 6 months i started her on the lead by tugging once and sayin heel not all the time but every now and agajn and I dot always rattle the keys I only rattle them when she gets carried away!
And I didn't say it is guaranteed to work I said it worked 100% for me maybe it is the wrong way to do it but you live and learn!
What would be the way you would train them to heel?

In a different way to what you are doing that's for sure, but if it works for you best of luck. Hope you get some really good advice

[PennyB]

Interestingly one of my dogs will walk to heel if I have a tennis ball in my hand - its far better for a dog to learn out of something positive than fear

[Bluebell]

Dan, I have taken the liberty of copying one of 'Karma's ' posts, I hope that she doesn't mind, but it is excellent advice


We have recently started using a new method at the puppy classes I help at, which is proving very effective.

Step 1.  Have a clicker and a handful of treats.... attach lead to collar - lead should be in a nice "J" shape (so completely loose, hanging down).
Decide which side you want dog to walk on (eventually) - if you want him on your left, hold everything in your right hand (lead over wrist, clicker and handful of treats in hand) - use your left hand to retrieve one treat at a time after clicking.
Have dog infront of you, step backwards - if he chooses to follow, click and treat.... repeat many many times.

Step 2.  Once he has the hang of following you, do 2-3 steps backwards (clicking and treating), then turn, so that dog is in a heel position on your left - click and treat.  Then return to being infront of dog and repeat this stage many many times.

Step 3.  Short walks on lead in a low distraction environment - Literally just about 10 metres at first - and you should be getting at least 10 click/treats into those 10 metres - try not to click/treat absolutely regularly, so allow one slightly longer gap at some point, so dog has to keep concentrating on you.  In the initial stages you will be click/treating virtually constantly - don't progress too quickly, as one of the main issues people have with clicker training loose lead walking is that the dog walks nicely, grabs the treat and then pulls ahead - if you are click/treating often enough there shouldn't be time.

Step 4.  Gradually build up on this - so slightly longer between rewards in the same environment, introduce more distractions (with a high pace of reward), keep it going for longer.... don't build too quickly - and if you are taking it to a new environment, initially go right back to step one to build those foundations (you shouldn't need to repeat them as often).  I think the major reason people struggle with loose lead walking (and I do - we use a T-Touch harness) is that they do the basics, and then jump to wanting perfect walking, missing out the middle steps of strengthening the behaviour.

If at any point the lead pulls tight, just stop and wait for dog to look at you - if he's utterly distracted, make some noise to attract his attention (but don't just keep repeating his name!).
Make sure you give constant feedback - especially when you are fading out the treats - tell him how clever he is constantly.

It's hard work - and can take months to perfect - but it's worth it!!!

While training is in progress, never ever let him pull on her collar and lead - if you are going somewhere and can't keep to the training, use a harness (or drive and let her off-lead immediately).  The harness won't necessarily stop him pulling, but it will stop him learning that he can pull on the collar.
Also never pull the dog - the rule is that the lead must be in a "J" shape - it doesn't matter who does the pulling, this still breaks the rule!!!

I wouldn't use a slip lead on a dog who pulled, especially not a young dog, as it can damage delicate neck muscles if it tightens suddenly... I do use a slip lead for convenience for agility etc, where I want to be able to get the lead on and off quickly, but I use a harness for normal walking so that Honey doesn't have to walk to perfect heel throughout and is free to sniff a little on our way to the woods.  We also keep up loose lead walking on a collar and lead when training. 

Best of luck 

[Top Barks]

That is more like it

[Dan]

Bluebell- thanks will give this ago tonight when I take her see wer I get appreciate it thank you new there were some members that were out to help people

Thanks for the comments!

[DunbarKev]

Bluebell, funny to see the text you copied is the same text I copied into Notepad last night while reading old posts.  I am planning to use this method myself beginning in a couple of weeks when our puppy gets home. 

Dan, good luck!

[Dan]

Right took Brodie for a walk I took a handful of dog food as had no treats! Just want to make sure I did it right!

I told her to heel and walked a good while then told her to sit and said good girl them have her the treats is that right? Will it work better in time?

[Juno]

I told her to heel and walked a good while then told her to sit and said good girl them have her the treats is that right?

Well, no.

If you're following Karma's training advice that Bluebell posted, you do actually need to start at step 1.  You'll not crack loose lead walking overnight.  Your pup is still so young... take it slow, have fun with her... it's not a race.

[Dan]

Ano it's not a race she doesn't pull on the lead that's the thing!

[Juno]

I meant training isn't a race

I'm confused, then, if she doesn't pull on the lead why you are asking if "it will get better in time?" - will what get better in time?  I thought we were talking about not pulling on the lead.

[Dan]

No off the lead lol sorry should have maybe mentioned that sorry for the confusion

[Bluebell]

Just take it slowly Dan Steps 1 & 2 at home and in your garden until she has perfected it Then try out and about, but again only in small doses. Each time you venture further it will be like starting again, but you will by then have solid foundations to work on Be consistent - it is alot of hard work now, but you will reap the rewards of all that effort for the rest of her life