How to Train Your Dog to Heel With Treats

Know the rules and leash laws in your area before training off leash. Teaching your dog to heel off leash is helpful for large properties, fenced in properties, and for hiking where allowed off leash.

Have your dog sit and face forward. Put him on your left side using a treat to coax him into the proper position.

Have treats ready in both hands. Walk and encourage the dog to walk with you. Every so often, offer your dog a treat from your right hand as long as he stays with you.

Use a treat in your left hand to coax your dog to stay by your side. Hold the treat so he can sniff it, but do not let him have it.

Stop and use your right hand to ask your dog to sit. Give him a treat from the right hand as a reward for positive behavior. When you are ready, walk again.

Now that your dog knows how to walk next to you at your pace and stop to sit when asked, repeat these steps using your left hand to indicate heel and your right hand to treat as he does well. Use the heel command and offer treats from your left hand to lure your dog to walk next to you at your pace.

As your dog gets used to pacing you, increase the pace, asking your dog to sit less often.

When your dog is distracted while off leash, ask him to sit. This will grab his attention and keep him by your side.

Using his leash, take your dog for a short and familiar walk. This could be in your backyard or even within your home.

Put your dog on your left side with the clicker and treat in your right hand.

Ask your dog to sit. Click and treat when he obeys. He will know by this where the treats will come from and be reminded of the rewarding clicker.

Put one treat in your left hand and lure your dog up to a walking position. Begin walking taking only a few steps. Keep that left hand with the treat above your dog's nose.

Use the heel command. If your dog walks calmly beside you, click and give him the treat.

Alternate sitting and walking a few steps for a bit. When your dog sits, click and treat from your right hand. And when he heels, walking at your pace beside you, click and give him the lure treat from your left hand.

Repeat these steps, gaining lots of practice.

Try walking without the lure of a treat in your left hand over your dog's nose. If he has learned the command and expectations, he should heel. If not, revisit the steps above for more practice.

As your dog begins to pace beside you, increase and decrease your pace. Continue to use to heel command and always click and treat for a job well done. Create stopping points by asking him to sit.

Position your dog between you and a wall.

Use the heel command and take a step forward.

Begin walking at a slow pace and continue to use the heel command.

Every few steps, give your dog a treat after using the heel command. If he changes pace, use the command and get him back on track with you.

Continue practicing heel with your dog, using the wall to help keep him in place next to you. Be sure to offer a treat every five to ten steps and use the word 'heel' for the command.

Over time, get further away from the wall. This gives your dog the opportunity to get away from you. Let him know your expectation is to heel. Be sure to give him treats every few steps as he does well.