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What kind of reaction is this ?

Hector

Well-Known Member
His heel is ok,but I have not done it for more than 2 minutes. I got it
This is where you need to start. Heeling for 2 minutes is not enough to get the dog to calm down and be focused on the command. Aim for at least 15 minutes and then aim for more. Try to go on walks with nothing but a heel - no potty, no sniffing. It will be very difficult for the dog, but it is a good mental exercise that will help. You need to set rules as to when you want to correct for bad position in the heel. You have to decide if you want to correct when the nose is past your knees or when the dog starts looking around distracted or if he is picking up his speed or a combination of all of those. Be consistent and work through the heel. You don't always have to use a leash pop as a correction, you can also say no or use an alternate command and do a 180 degree turn or turn into the dog anytime you feel he is getting out of position. All of those exercises will increase his focus on you.

here is a very good video and I still do all these exercises from time to time just to mix things up [video=youtube;0Vn1c2aHv10]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vn1c2aHv10[/video]
 

al capone

Well-Known Member
Thanks good vid,I did a little heels. I will work on more time and do the heels and release. He did it well today but my neighborhood is quite,when we were in heels only o motorcycle runs by twice . No much distraction than weeks days. The video helps.
 

Hector

Well-Known Member
Thanks good vid,I did a little heels. I will work on more time and do the heels and release. He did it well today but my neighborhood is quite,when we were in heels only o motorcycle runs by twice . No much distraction than weeks days. The video helps.
Best time to train is during quiet times and when distractions are few and far between.The dog will be more focused on the task and you will have more room for handler error/practice. Build a habit and reliability under low distractions and it will help a lot later on.
 

al capone

Well-Known Member
Best time to train is during quiet times and when distractions are few and far between.The dog will be more focused on the task and you will have more room for handler error/practice. Build a habit and reliability under low distractions and it will help a lot later on.

Ok,thank you,I thought I needed to train him in the busy places. I like better do it in quite places.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
...command him to down and to make sure he stays down while the person passes, have your foot on the leash close to his collar OR if you can, give him a quick correction and tell him to heel and walk past.

I did this once with my excitable Dane/lab (100lbs)... had him in a down with my foot on the leash while a friendly (and excited) dog approached... he flipped me so quick!!! and he was just 100lbs.... so, I don't do this so much anymore - but we do practice stepping to the side (up a driveway) and watching people pass... sometimes in a sit, sometimes just a calm stand. Denna's very used to the procedure now, which helps - she knows what I want her to do (i.e. not move and just supervise the people passing by).
 

al capone

Well-Known Member
I did this once with my excitable Dane/lab (100lbs)... had him in a down with my foot on the leash while a friendly (and excited) dog approached... he flipped me so quick!!! and he was just 100lbs.... so, I don't do this so much anymore - but we do practice stepping to the side (up a driveway) and watching people pass... sometimes in a sit, sometimes just a calm stand. Denna's very used to the procedure now, which helps - she knows what I want her to do (i.e. not move and just supervise the people passing by).

Thanks DennasMom,I started working with short leash and this morning worked heels with short leash in a busy place,I was anxious,Al Capone worked very good whereas I give him treats. We walked heel for 6 minutes,great improvement for the 1-2 minutes before we used to work.
If that doesn't work fine,I'll try sitting stepping the leash.
Thanks again.