Hello, We are working very slowly on heel work, however there is a lot of conflicting information out there. What methods of training has everyone used, what has worked well/not so well? Any recommendations for us going forward. Currently using treats and clicker, walking round our yard and garden - when Nala is walking next to me on my left, click and treat at short intervals, no reward when distracted or walking in the wrong place. Thanks, Holly and Nala
I don't train 'heel' walking, only ever a loose lead walk as I'm not into 'obedience' style training. If you are using a click should be doing c&t for every step in position to begin with. Then every 2 steps, 3 steps at until you can walk 5 or 6 steps and then start mixing it up so you c&t for 2 she is, then 4 steps, 3 steps, 6 steps, 4 steps and so on to help maintain focus on you. If pup becomes distracted or moves out of position just stand still and wxit. When pup moves back into position/makes eye contact c&t and move on. If necessary, and only as a last resort, make a kissy sound or mouth click if you have trained one to get attention to you, c&t and move on.
I have done like you @HollyandNala. I don’t use a clicker now but just say ‘heel’ and Red will come into a position on my left I am happy with. As I do this with her ‘tea’ in the house or the garden, she gets rewarded well. I have taught ‘side’ - she walks on my right hand side. She can change between ‘heel’ and ‘side’ as asked and she will do this on lead and off lead. Useful when walking on narrow country lanes with no footpath and you want her on either left or right. It’s just practice, practice (but not in a heavy way) . I remember using the ‘imaginary circle’ round my left foot. The circle got smaller and smaller until she was by my heel.
