Week 4 Lured Heeling Step 2

 STEP 1:   Lure your puppy into a sit in heel position (puppy's shoulder should line up with your leg) on the side of you and facing in the same direction as you.

STEP 2: The hand holding the food reward will now be behind your back.  Remember, it is your left hand holding the reward; your arm will be bent at the elbow and held up and behind your back.

STEP 3:  Say your puppy's name (remember the attention exercises) and when your dog looks at you, say "heel" then step forward with your left leg.

STEP 4:  Attempt just five steps in good heel position at first.  Later on, you can increase the steps.

STEP 5:  As you walk, work with your puppy to keep them in position, as follows:

  • Say "good boy" or "good girl" when their position is good (head a bit in front of your leg, but the handler should not be able to see their shoulders).
  • Jolly them forward by saying their name enthusiastically and/or patting their leg.
  • If they drift left or are distracted by something on the left, give the leash some little tugs to see if you can get your puppy's attention back.
  • Do turns with your puppy to be sure they yield to your movement (left turns) or can turn with you (right turns).
STEP 6A:  End this with your dog in a sit, and only if they are in a sit, say "good boy or girl." 

STEP 6B:  If your puppy's sit is out of position, you can use the following to correct that:

  1. If they tend to keep walking and end up ahead, you can hold the leash back just as you come to a stop before the sit.  
  2. If they are very crooked, you can bring the food reward down earlier to lure them into the right position.
When your puppy is in a good position, give the marker word "good." 

STEP 7:  Then give the marker word for release, "yes" as you give the food reward.  If you present the reward in the same place, this will help the puppy later self-correct into the right position.

STEP 8:  Repeat



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