Pets Information

Teaching Your Dog to Heel


Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most basic and important dog training commands you can teach. With an active and younger dog or puppy, it can be especially difficult, but with patience and consistency, it doesn't really have to be that hard to train your dog to heel.

The best time to practice teaching your dog to heel is before you've begun going on walks. Your dog is easily distracted out on the street and you will need his attention to properly teach the heel command. Also, you want to be in a patient and pleasant mood. Do not begin this, or any other dog training session, if you are angry or in a testy mood. You should not train your dog in an unkind or rough manner. Furthermore, it is best to teach the heel command after your dog knows his name and the "Sit" command.

You will want to limit the heel training session, as with other dog training sessions, especially for young puppies to about 10 or 15 minutes and to 2 or 3 times in a day. Make sure they've gone to the bathroom and have eaten and had some water. You want their full attention for this.

For this training session, you might want to use a dog training collar, but it is not necessary. In the backyard or garden put a lead on the dog, and keep him on your left side. Hold the leash in both hands, your right hand through the loop and your left hand holding the leash with your elbow by your side and out straight.

You want to keep your dog's neck about even with your left leg, and as you begin to move that is the signal for the dog to begin walking. Your dog or puppy will initially not understand what to do and either try to run ahead or around. Simply make gentle corrections, say "Heel" and keep them on your left side. Try to keep the lead slack and if your dog begins to tug on it either stop or gently correct with the leash and stop moving. Do not pull your dog forward or yank the leash back violently. Continue moving only as your dog is on your left side. Try not to move if the leash becomes tight as this teaches them to tug and pull on it.

You will want to vary your direction and speed, turning in circles or doing figure eights. As your dog goes in the correct direction on your left side, remember to give lots of praise. You might use a dog training clicker or a treat, but try to keep your methods consistent with other dog training commands you use. Try to end the dog training session on a positive note with something the dog has done correctly, followed by lots of praise.

Dog Training HQ provides dog training articles and resources to help dog and puppy owners learn to train their pet effectively. Please visit http://www.dogtraininghq.com for more helpful dog training and puppy training advice.


MORE RESOURCES:

Bryan College Station Eagle

Expecting parents can help pets adapt
Green Bay Press Gazette
Experts say the countdown should include prep time for pets too. A baby changes everything for a pet — from how its home looks, smells and sounds to what the rules are. Low energy, friendly, social dogs are the most adaptable pets, while independent, ...
Baby on the way? Prepare your pet for new arrivalHerald Times Reporter
Pets need some prep for new babiesBryan College Station Eagle

all 11 news articles »


Cleveland News - Fox 8

Obesity epidemic strikes US pets
CNN
The majority of adult dogs and cats in US homes are overweight or obese, and the problem has gotten worse over the past year, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Fifty-three percent of adult dogs and 55% of cats were classified as ...
Are We Feeding Our Pets to Death?Gawker
Avoid a Pet Emergency in Overtime: Super Sunday's Parties Can Be Dangerous To ...Sacramento Bee
Half of All US Pets Dangerously OverweightCalorieLab Calorie Counter News

all 57 news articles »


Tell Us Your Pet Story
Patch.com
By John Patten A fan holds a dog available for adoption during Barkin' for the Blues, a pet adoption event spearheaded by Kelly Backes, wife of David Backes #42 of the St. Louis Blues, before an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres on January 21, ...

and more »


Pet saturation can be prevented
The Province
Ure urges pet guardians to be responsible owners and get their pets fixed. When Stuart Ure and his partner, Farrah Rooney, fostered wee Thor, a gorgeous marmalade tabby now just under five months old, there was never any question about getting the ...

and more »


Pet Haven cemetery a place for animals to rest in peace
The Desert Sun
Pet Cemetery in Desert Hot Springs: Charlie Stewart founded the Pet Haven pet cemetery on Dillion Rd in Desert Hot Springs in 1964. About 2000 pets from cats and dogs to pot belly pigs are buried at the 2.5 acre site. Charles Stewart Sr. founded the ...



BigPond News

Ohio proposal would ban owners from buying exotic animals, create new caging ...
Washington Post
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Proposed legislation in Ohio would ban the purchase of lions, bears and other exotic animals, but current owners of the dangerous wildlife would be allowed to keep them as pets if they meet strict new requirements. State Sen.
Ohio bill would ban new ownership of exotic petsCBS News
State bill would ban new ownership of exotic petsFox News

all 208 news articles »


Laws keep pets on short leash
Columbia Daily Tribune
By Michelle Marshall Responsible pet owners like to keep up with the legal requirements for owning a pet. Most laws are self-explanatory and make life safer for both people and pets. However, there are some interesting and odd laws that remain on the ...



Pet columnist: Betta fish survive fad as lovable pets
St. Cloud Times
Not that bettas (“fighting fish” as they are sometimes called) are odd in and of themselves, but for kids in grade school, a pet as a fad was a bit over the top. As the trend died out, unfortunately, so did many of the fish. This is likely because of ...

and more »


Paw Print: Valeintine's Day special for people seeking pets
NJ.com
During this time, all cats and dogs at the shelter will be available for adoption at the reduced rate of $25 per pet. For more information and photos of the animals available for adoption, go to www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ517.html.

and more »


USA TODAY

Super Bowl pets, happy pet owners and new breeds
USA TODAY
USA TODAY compiled memorable Super Bowl ads featuring pets for you to take a look at. Popcorn Park Zoo in New Jersey has an especially talented camel, named Princess. She has a knack for predicting the winner of NFL games. In fact, Princess has picked ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map | First Rate Hosting
2006 First Rate Hosting

Powered By First Rate Hosting