Leash Manners and Heel - Training Challenge

Read more about Training Challenges here.

LEASH MANNERS AND THE HEEL COMMAND: Walking your dog is a basic leadership exercise that should be practiced regularly. A dog should understand that a walk is yours, not his/hers. Early walking efforts should focus on teaching a dog to maintain a loose leash and walk calmly at your side - basic LEASH MANNERS. As time progresses this walk can be fine-tuned into a formal "HEEL" command. Heel is a position command with the dog at your side (left is traditional). If you are moving, the dog moves at your pace. If you are stationary, the dog sits automatically at your side.

(extra credit for those who know why 'left' is traditional for heel - see below)

USES: Leash manners and Heel can be used to keep your dog calm and well mannered while he/she is moving with you. Dogs that are trained in this manner will walk nicely in areas with other dogs, at the vet, through the neighborhood, etc.

Rate your dog's ability with LEASH MANNERS and HEEL:

INTRODUCTORY STAGES: Dogs begins learning to follow rather than lead owner on walks.

BEGINNER: Dog generally maintains a loose leash and ignores common distractions. Dog will SIT on 1st command when stopped.

INTERMEDIATE: Dog will HEEL, which includes walking closely to an owner's side, while maintaining a loose leash and adjusting for changes in direction / speed. Dog sits automatically when stopped and performs reliably around all distractions.

ADVANCED: Dog will HEEL and AUTO SIT without a leash including near distractions. Dog understands the concept of HEEL as a position, and will come to your side and SIT if given the HEEL command while away from you. Dog will HEEL and AUTO SIT on elevated and unusual surfaces.

Training Challenge : Assess your dog's current walking performance (above) and work during this month toward the next level of achievement. If you're already advanced, work on further diversification of this command and improved reliability with "HEEL"!

EXTRA CREDIT - "Heel" is traditionally a left sided command because early 'dog trainers' were hunters. With most hunters being right eyed, they generally aimed and handled their firearms on the right side. Dogs were "heeled" on the left so the firearm wasn't discharging over the dog's head.