Teaching a dog to heel: I think “heel” is one of the most important skills we develop in our dogs. When I first started training my dogs I thought “heel” was something that you needed for taking dogs for walks in the city. I didn’t live in the city, I wanted to have a hunting dog and I thought I had no real need for it. I was wrong.
Good “heel” is simplified to the idea of just being in the right position. For me, the right position is on my left hand side with the dogs head to shoulders area at my left knee or just slightly back. I heel my dogs on the left because I am right handed and shoot right handed. In the field, the safest and most effective place for my dog to be is on my left side where they can see all the action, but will not be in the way or line of fire. They can see all the action in front and if I know where they are based on “feel” and confidence in our training, they can be sent for a retrieve when the time is right.
The reason that heel is so important goes far beyond the field, and is directly connected to our training and every day living. I use heel work to build trust and connection with my dog. It is the best way I have found to develop a good “feel” with the dog. It’s how we maintain that connection at greater distances. Remember, if you don’t have connection with them at 2 feet, you won’t stand a chance at 2 yards, 20 yard, 200 yards. It all starts at square one...heel position. I use heel work everywhere we go whether its out to the field in training, for a walk with my family or going out to get the mail. It’s what I use in order to set up a basic trailing memory or a complex circle memory with multiple dummies. It’s used in everything I do with a dog. And if the heel work is not there, and not perfect, it takes away from the exercise or makes it impossible to do the exercise all together.
Mechanics matter, timing matters, pace matters, tools matter, feel and connection matter. Understanding the importance of heel work is first. From there we start to build it incrementally. You will find and see in this series just how much I emphasize the value and need for good heel work. Good luck in your training and keep going, I am here to help you in any way I can. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay positive.