I'm having a training issue with Zeus (13 month old GSD) We have learned the heel command. The problem is when I give it he come back to me walks by my side (head inline with my leg) for a few seconds then he wants to pull ahead and walk about his midsection inline with my leg, not completely in front or pulling just wants to move a few steps up. I give a leash correction and he comes back but it becomes a repeat over and over of corrections and him moving back and forward. We have done the change of direction but once we get to a straight walk it comes back. I'm kinda stuck at how to fix this, I seem to be giving lots of corrections during the walk but its not helping in the long run.

Thanks John

How did you train heel?

I mean, if you marked and rewarded for the correct position, for example, then you could back up and start over with that as a "refresher."

I have also done a *lot* of changes in both direction and pace to keep the dog's attention on me.

I have found it helpful to make sure the dog really gets what the word means and isn't relying on the leash-pulls.

How do you get the heel back if he lags back?

Originaly used the walk, change direction to show your backside and correct with leash correction. Taught by a bad trainer (what brought me here) He's never one to lag back unless he's looking behind then I give a leash correction to bring his focus back forward. How do I mark and reward? He understands the command but doesn't hold it.

How do you know he understands the command?

I mean, what does he do when you say heel? Does he assume the correct position beside you? Does his stride begin when yours does? At what point does he no longer get it?

Maybe to him, heel means stand next to you and then everybody just walk, and then he gets pulled into some kind of position.

I have often thought "He KNOWS the command" and I have often been dead wrong. ;-) Maybe he knew the command in the kitchen. Maybe he knew the command after a certain other command. Maybe .... and the list goes on.

when walking with him ahead of me, I give the command and he slows right next to me in stride, I don't speed up to him and he walks in correct position but then he wants to move a few steps ahead and walk slightly ahead, if I command again he reapeats comes back correctly then he gradually wants to move forward. I'm wondering if i need to retrain the command differently or just need to modify what we are already doing.

 Quote: john malufka

when walking with him ahead of me, I give the command and he slows right next to me in stride, I don't speed up to him and he walks in correct position but then he wants to move a few steps ahead and walk slightly ahead, if I command again he reapeats comes back correctly then he gradually wants to move forward. I'm wondering if i need to retrain the command differently or just need to modify what we are already doing.

OK. Well, first, "heel" is not the easiest command in the bunch, so don't get frustrated or think that you or the dog is slow.

I have found even a casual heel to be something that even after a year of a dog being with me, I might have to reinforce once in a while.

So, for a casual heel:

I would learn marker training:
http://leerburg.com/markers.htm

Then, in your dog's case, I would probably use a combination of walking into/in front of the dog rather than pulling the dog back, as much as possible (because I want a pretty loose leash) along with markers and rewards for good heel.

At the beginning, I have used a treat as a lure (only at the very beginning) to get the dog into the position, but sounds like you are past that.

So.... to recap: I would probably start marking and rewarding for good heel and use fast turns and changes of speed more than leash-pulls to correct the forging ahead.

Oh, and when you mentioned redirecting the dog's attention to the path ahead -- I want more to redirect the dog's attention to ME.


The route is my business; his is heeling beside me no matter where I decide we go.


P.S. I imagine that almost everyone here has trained heel, so maybe we will see lots of tips.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (01/13/2008 01:00 PM)
Edit reason: P.S.

I'll try the marker training, we do use the turns, walking into and changing pace and he does that perfectly. Its when we walk straight on the side walk, and I have tried quick circles and he responds and does fine but he doesn't hold position for longer then a minute at best before a need to correct.

 Quote: John Malufka

I'll try the marker training, we do use the turns, walking into and changing pace and he does that perfectly. Its when we walk straight on the side walk, and I have tried quick circles and he responds and does fine but he doesn't hold position for longer then a minute at best before a need to correct.

Then I am picturing kind of a tight leash, which might be what the dog thinks is supposed to be the way.

So I think I would start marking and rewarding for good heel without pulling, and walking into/across the dog to change direction a lot if he does forge. Timing on marking will be crucial (as it is with all commands) so he gets that lightbulb moment of what earned the marker and reward.

I usually walk with one on each side, and we come to a corner very soon on our route, no matter which route, and I commented to Mike Schoonbrood once how the pulling dog would settle back after that corner. He pointed out to me that I was walking into him (he is the dog on the right and it's a right turn) on the direction change ...

Ah! Lightbulb! The WAY we change direction can matter, depending on whether the dog is forging or lagging. That was a big duh for me, after all these years.

I'd watch carefully, too: Does walking into/across him dial his attention on you up a bit, or does being left behind if you turn the other way?

For the puller I have/had, walking into/across him made him focus more on me.

I forgot to add that releases, when I stop and the dog is allowed to sniff, potty, whatever, are good. The dog gets that fun on his walk, and it's at my discretion.