I am adding an 8 month old female to the house. I have a 2-1/2 year old boy. I am looing for ideas on heeling. Side by side, or one on each side? I am leaning to both on the left, but I am open to opinions.
Carolyn Pike Roman Webboard User Reg: 03-20-2007
Posts: 559
Loc: San Antonio, TX
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Not sure how well trained your 2-1/2 yr old is or how much training the new 8 month old will have so take this with a grain of salt .
I found it easier to have one dog on each side (just loose leash walking for us). This way if you have to give a correction for some reason you don't accidentally correct the wrong dog (you have one leash in each hand vs. both leashes in the same hand); also it seems easier to give treats out both sides instead of reaching over one dog's head to get to the other.
Like I said... grain of salt, lol. Good luck, and congrats on your new addition!
They still walk this way and essentially my older dog trained the younger where to walk. It was very easy to teach a formal command when the time came.
I also like to have my dogs on the same side. I foster dogs, so I often tie Kota to myself that way I can teach the new dog while not pulling on Kota's leash. I agree the older dog will help teach the new dog what is and is not acceptable on the walk (and in many other situations)
It's whatever way you want it in the long run. For me it is easier to have one hand holding dog leashes than two.
Heeling. I have trained Elvis heavy in obediance. he is a good pupil and I have not had a leash on him in over a year. I take him twice a day to State Parks and large areas where he can exersize. Of coarse we come across other people and other dogs. If I see any people or dogs I comand the come and heel. He jumps to it and I either walk past them or if they have a dog that seems unruly I wait while he sits next to me as they safely pass. I am always aware of our surroundings as many people are afraid of large black dogs, as of coarse they should be. Joggers, walkers, and many people admire his obedience skills and immediately feel comfortabe knowing he is under control. Especially his tight heeling on comand. So Jason, what do you think? By the way, I appriciate the feedback from all of you. It is very helpful.
Reg: 11-04-2008
Posts: 572
Loc: Hampshire, England
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On the rare occasion I take more than one dog out and need to call to heel - I would have one on the left and my GSD male is trained to go / walk behind me on command. That leaves the person coming towards me the space to pass on my right.
With 'proper heelwork' if you had two dogs at the left, you are actually training one dog to walk two feet from your side. I wouldn't do it.
Michael,
I took your question from the perspective of walking the dogs.
And if that's all you're doing, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Do what is comfortable.
If however you're doing formal heels, I'd say one on left and one on the right. That way there are no conflicts in either dog's mind if you want to work them individually (ala solo).
If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy
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