HEELING:

Traditional "heeling" is generally not an issue for the family pet. However, if you're interested in AKC or UKC obedience, or you're just asking for a bit more precision when Fido walks on his leash, read on!

What do we mean by AKC level heeling?
In the current (pink) AKC obedience Regulations, here's how the Heel on Leash is described:

The principal feature of this exercise the the ability of the dog and handler to work as a team. Orders for the exercise are "Forward, "Halt," "Right turn," "Left turn," "About turn," "Slow," "Normal," and "Fast." . . . The leash may be held in either hand or in both hands, provided the hands are in a natural position. However, any tightening or jerking of the leash or any act, signal or command which in the Judge's opinion give the dog assistance should be penalized. . . The handler may give a command or signal to Heel, and shall walk briskly and in a natural manner with his dog on a loose leash. The dog shall walk close the the left side of the handler without swinging wide, lagging, forging or crowding. Whether heeling or sitting, the dog must not interfere with the handler's freedom of motion at any time. At each order to Halt, the handler will stop and and his dog shall sit straight and promptly in the Heel position without command or signal, and shall not move until the handler again moves forward on order from the Judge.

Sound complicated? Watch a good obedience team in action at an obedience trial near you. It's poetry in motion!

Books with Chapters on Heeling
These books are available through Super Dog from Amazon.com. If you've never purchased books from Amazon, you're in for a treat! It's easy, fast, secure and the prices are great!

Good Owners, Great Dogs Bravo!!! A great book!By Brain Kilcommons with Sarah Wilson this is one of Super Dog's favorite books. In this book, Brian describes Let's Go (his preferred pet dog command for the traditional "heel"). Somehow, in 11 pages he includes over 30 pictures with lots of written instruction. Big dogs (Irish Wolfhound) and little dogs (Doxie) with a few labs the cocker spaniels thrown in for good measure are all used to demonstrate the fine art of heeling. For the average pet dog owner, this is one of the best books to buy.

Canine Good Citizen
Second Edition, available now!
One of the requirements of the Canine Good Citizen Program is to have your dog walk quietly by your side. The Volhards cover this in their 13 page chapter called "Out for a Walk". The book covers concepts including:

  • leash training
  • teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash
  • the use of treats in training
  • the halt
  • heeling
  • inducing and rewarding
  • incorporating turns
  • alternative collars
  • distractions
  • a training schedule