As a dog owner, one of the most important skills you can teach your furry friend is how to heel. Heeling is the act of walking beside your dog, with them staying close to your side and following your lead. This skill not only makes walks more enjoyable for you and your dog but also ensures their safety and obedience.
In this article, I will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to teach your dog to heel. Whether you’re a new dog owner or have a seasoned companion, this guide will give you the tools you need to master this essential skill and build a stronger bond with your furry friend. So, grab your leash, and let’s get started!
Contents
Understanding the Basics of Heeling

What Does It Mean to “Heel” and Why Is It Important?
“Heeling” is the term used to describe the act of walking alongside your dog, with them staying close to your side and following your lead. This skill is important because it establishes you as the pack leader and helps your dog understand their role in the pack. By teaching your dog to heel, you are also ensuring their safety by keeping them away from potential dangers like cars or other animals.
Different Types of Heel Positions
When it comes to heeling, there are different positions your dog can be in. The most common is the left side heel, where your dog walks on your left side. However, some owners prefer the right side heel or even a center position. It’s important to choose a position that is comfortable for both you and your dog, and to be consistent with the position you choose.
Benefits of Heeling for Dogs and Owners
Heeling has numerous benefits for both dogs and their owners. For dogs, it provides mental stimulation and physical exercise, helps establish a bond with their owner, and can even improve their obedience skills. For owners, heeling creates a sense of control and safety during walks, improves the dog-owner relationship, and can even be a fun activity to do with your furry friend. Overall, heeling is an essential skill that provides both practical and emotional benefits for dogs and their owners alike.
Preparing Your Dog for Heeling

Before diving into heeling training, it’s essential to establish a strong bond with your dog. This bond will not only make training easier but will also create a deeper connection between you and your furry friend. Spend time playing, cuddling, and engaging in activities with your dog that they enjoy. This will help build a foundation of trust and respect, making training more effective.
Once you’ve established a bond, you can begin teaching your dog basic obedience commands. Before attempting to teach your dog to heel, they should know commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These commands lay the foundation for heeling and make it easier for your dog to understand what you’re asking of them.
When it comes to equipment, choosing the right leash and collar is crucial. A standard leash and collar are usually sufficient, but if your dog tends to pull or is difficult to control, consider using a no-pull harness or head collar. These tools can help prevent injury to both you and your dog and make training more comfortable for everyone involved.
Remember, preparing your dog for heeling is just as important as the training itself. By establishing a bond, teaching basic obedience commands, and choosing the right equipment, you’ll set your dog up for success and make the training process more enjoyable for both of you.
The Step-by-Step Process of Teaching Your Dog to Heel
Teaching your dog to heel can seem like a daunting task, but breaking it down into manageable steps can make the process much easier. Here are the steps you can follow to teach your dog to heel:
Step 1: Teach Your Dog to Sit
Before you can teach your dog to heel, they must first know how to sit on command. This is a foundational skill that will make it easier for your dog to learn new commands. To teach your dog to sit, follow these steps:
- Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose, and then slowly move your hand up.
- As your dog follows the treat with their nose, their rear end should naturally lower to the ground.
- As soon as your dog’s rear end touches the ground, say “sit” and give them the treat.
Step 2: Teach Your Dog to Walk on a Loose Leash
The next step in teaching your dog to heel is to teach them to walk on a loose leash. This means that your dog should be walking beside you with a relaxed leash, rather than pulling ahead or lagging behind. To teach your dog to walk on a loose leash, follow these steps:
- Start by walking with your dog on a leash, and reward them for walking beside you with a loose leash.
- If your dog starts to pull ahead or lag behind, stop walking and wait for them to come back to you.
- Reward your dog when they come back to you and continue walking with a loose leash.
Step 3: Introduce the Heel Command
Once your dog is walking on a loose leash, you can start introducing the heel command. To do this, follow these steps:
- Say “heel” and start walking with your dog on a loose leash.
- If your dog starts to pull ahead or lag behind, stop walking and wait for them to come back to you.
- Reward your dog when they come back to you and continue walking with a loose leash.
- Repeat this process, gradually increasing the distance and duration of your walks.
By following these steps and being patient with your dog, you can teach them to heel and enjoy stress-free walks together. Don’t forget to use positive reinforcement and plenty of treats and praise to encourage your dog along the way.
Building on Your Dog’s Heeling Skills
Now that your dog has a solid understanding of heeling, it’s time to take their training to the next level. In this section, we’ll discuss how to gradually increase the difficulty of heeling exercises and incorporate distractions into your training.
Gradually Increasing Difficulty
As your dog becomes more comfortable with heeling, you can start to increase the difficulty of the exercises. This can include:
- Walking for longer distances
- Increasing the pace of your walk
- Adding turns and curves to your route
- Walking on different surfaces (e.g. grass, pavement, sand)
Remember to always keep your dog’s abilities in mind and gradually increase the difficulty level to prevent frustration or confusion.
Incorporating Distractions
One of the most important aspects of heeling is ensuring that your dog can maintain their focus even with distractions around. Here are some tips for incorporating distractions into your heeling training:
- Start with small distractions, such as a toy or treat on the ground, and gradually work up to bigger distractions like other dogs or people.
- Use positive reinforcement to reward your dog for maintaining their focus even with distractions present.
- Practice heeling in different environments to help your dog generalize the skill and apply it in various situations.
Maintaining Your Dog’s Heeling Skills Over Time
Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining your dog’s heeling skills. Here are some tips to help you keep your dog’s training on track:
- Practice heeling regularly, even after your dog has mastered the skill.
- Mix up your training routine to keep your dog engaged and challenged.
- Use positive reinforcement consistently to reinforce good behavior.
- Continue to work on other obedience skills to reinforce your dog’s overall training.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to build on your dog’s heeling skills and ensure that they remain a well-behaved and obedient companion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, teaching your dog to heel is an essential skill that every dog owner should master. Not only does it make walks more enjoyable, but it also ensures your dog’s safety and obedience. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can train your dog to heel effectively and build a stronger bond with your furry friend.
Remember, patience and persistence are key when it comes to dog training, and not every dog learns at the same pace. If you’re struggling to teach your dog to heel, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a dog trainer or behaviorist.
At Critter Kingdom, we’re dedicated to providing you with the information and resources you need to care for and train your furry friend. So, if you’re looking for more tips and advice on all things pet-related, be sure to check out our website. With a little practice and dedication, you and your dog will be heeling like pros in no time!