If your dog is going to be on walks with you quite often, teaching him to heel will make your life easier and enhance those leash manners your dog should already have. If your dog runs ahead of you or lags behind, or is curious and distracted, teaching him to heel will be beneficial. Having a dog who often pulls on a leash tugging you in different directions can be frustrating and potentially dangerous if your dog can overpower you and pull you along. Teaching your dog to heel offers a solution to an excited dog who pulls on a leash constantly. Once you have taught your dog to heel and it becomes a habit with every walk, you are likely to enjoy your walks with your dog more often than not. A heel position with your dog keeps your dog close to you instead of running ahead. This position helps to keep your dog obedient and safe.
‘Heel’ simply means having your dog walk beside you instead of running ahead pulling on the leash or lagging behind. As simple as it sounds, 'heel' is an advanced command. Many dog trainers teach heel on the left side of the owner’s body. Some heel positions will vary depending on whether your dog is a service dog, a working dog, or simply your best pet. No matter the role of your dog, having him heel means having him walk beside you with self-control and without running ahead or pulling in front of you.
You will need a few things to prepare to teach your dog to heel. Be ready for some quick 5 to 10 minute lessons several times a day for several days.
You will need :
Ideally, the best place to teach your dog to heel would be outside where you can take longer walks. However, if you are teaching a dog or a puppy in the winter months, teaching your dog to heel while walking hallways is perfectly acceptable.