Ronnie Smith (00:09):
Heeling on a loose lead is a very important part in the dog’s discipline. It is the onset to a dog going with us in the field. So some pro tips to help you be successful—do opposite of what the dog does. If he’s ahead of you, don’t pull back because it’s not successful, go the other direction. If they turn in front of you, you turn into them, show them where that pocket is. When they get in this spot, that’s where the pressure comes off. That’s where the cue goes away. That’s where they learn. We have a tendency to walk the same speed so that we create a cadence. And once those dogs become proficient at heeling, they learn that cadence. So vary your speed. I’m going to make another pass here with Red. I’m going to cue him to move off. And if they’re really paying attention, they’ll rate your speed. Whether you take little bitty steps or big, giant steps. Again, that is the importance of varying your speed so that the dog will pay attention. Don’t just keep walking the same speed. If he wants to go ahead, I’ll let him go, but then I’m going to cue him to come back my direction.
Ronnie Smith (01:30):
Again. Remember, it’s about him going with me. There are many, many applications where having a good heel really pays dividends. If you have a good heel, then he can relax, so if he gets injured, you can very safely get back to the truck or to a vet. And two, if you’re out running and your dog gets hot, it’s the perfect time for cool down. So it’s always better to put a dog up on a loose lead, heel them back for the cool down, and keep them out of harm’s way. I hope these tips have helped you with your heeling.
