Hand Touches
I like the dog to be attentive and driving up and forward on that first step. One technique you can use to accomplish this is the hand touch. Start by ensuring that your dog can do a hand touch in heel position without any movement at all. Be sure your hand is back by your side (not out in front of you) and that your dog lifts straight up off the ground in a controlled jump. You don't want the dog flinging upward out of control or coming up too far. When he lands, he should still be in heel position.
Once you have this skill down without any movement, you can start moving your left leg out as you cue the hand touch.
You can start this from a stand or a sit.
Here's another example of a hand touch from a sit.
As I work through this process, I very slowly add steps and as I do so, withhold my touch cue a bit longer each time. When the dog is doing great with touching as you move your left leg out, I will do a full step then ask for a touch. Then eventually I will add a second step before asking for a touch. Your dog's head should be up and he/she should be anticipating the touch. If he does it before you cue, just ignore him and reward him when he does it when you've asked for it.
Small Dogs
You can do hand touches with small dogs too! In this video, Denise uses nose touches with Brito.
Toss Treat Behind
Another way to increase motivation is to have the dog catch up with you. To do this, toss a treat behind you and start heeling as the dog heads back to you.
Here's an example:
Back Up and Start Heeling
Backing up with the dog following you, then moving forward while the dog flips around in heel is another great way to start.
Another variation is to back up from your dog and turn around to start heeling. Here's an example:
There are so many ways to help heeling be more fun and motivating for your dog. Use these tips to get started and watch your dog's enthusiasm for heeling go up!
During my June class, From Pivots to Practical Heeling, we will focus on all kinds of ways to start moving forward! The class will start with the pivot bowl, and we'll work through getting off the pivot bowl and still getting that great rear-end movement. Then we'll get you and your dog moving forward, adding in turns, pace changes, and halts! Join me in class for a step-by-step progression from pivot bowl to moving forward!
Nicole Wiebusch started competing in dog sports as a teenager in the 90’s and quickly became addicted to the sport of obedience.
In 2001, she acquired a golden retriever named Tucker who taught her that traditional methods weren’t the best way to a happy confident dog. This realization started her on the journey to positive reinforcement training.
In 2008, Nicole started her own dog training business, Golden Paws Dog Training LLC, and teaches both pet owners and dog sports people dog-friendly training methods. She started taking classes with Fenzi Dog Sports Academy in 2013 and actively competes in a variety of performance events with her three golden retrievers.
Nicole’s golden retriever Toby UDX2 OM3 RAE was retired due to physical problems just 30 points shy of finishing his OTCH. Her current competition dog Strive has earned her UD and is working on her UDX. Toby and Strive both have multiple High in Trials in Obedience and High Combineds in both Obedience and Rally. Nicole’s dogs also hold advanced Agility and Rally titles, as well as hunting, dock diving, and TEAM titles.
In addition to operating Golden Paws Dog Training, Nicole is a field dog trainer for a service dog organization, a Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator, a Professional Member of the APDT, an instructor for the Fenzi Pet Professionals Program, a TEAM judge, and has earned the Obedience/Rally/Freestyle Trainer’s Certificate from FDSA.
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