OB215 Competition Heeling Part One - Fundamentals

Great heeling is a pleasure to watch. Dog and handler moving together as one. The dog is happy, animated, joyful and confident. Heeling is a dance that should express joy and teamwork. How do you accomplish that? Great fundamentals! Heeling is a complex behavior chain incorporating focal point, position and engagement. I break heeling down into pieces that will make sense to you AND your dog. Each piece is taught as a fun trick. With clear communication and consistent criteria your dog will enjoy learning how to heel. We will work on handling to ensure you are being the best possible partner for your dog. We will start with straight line heeling and add the foundation for halts and turns. Whether your dog is learning how to heel or knows how to heel and has some holes, this course is for you.

Course Details

This class will have a TA!! That means extra help for everyone, especially Silver and Bronze students!!

Teaching Approach

This class will have written and video lectures each week. There will be video examples talking about the skills and demonstrating all exercises. Because everyone has their own learning style and teams learn at different speeds, I encourage students to move at their own pace. For the first few weeks, students can work in a smaller space. Later in the class, students will need access to a space large enough where they can perform straight line heeling for about 40 feet give or take. It does not need to be in a “ring’. Students will need to move around with their dog as is required for heeling. I am happy to work with you to modify the training to your abilities. A few of the games will require quick physical movement from the trainer for short periods and distances.

Syllabus

WEEK ONE

Communication
Reward placement
DOGS HATE GREY!!
Mental breaks
Mental endurance
Environment
Length of Sessions
Reading your dog
Handling
Footwork: Straight line
Finding proper heel position
- Sit
- Stand
Determining focal point
Teach focal point stationary
It’s All A Trick!!
Tricks
- Warmup
- Reward
Engagement setup
Sit Posture
Hand touches

WEEK TWO

Energy creates energy
Managing Arousal
Come up sits wall
Focal point slow pace
Understanding Position
Position Game
Reward sequence to maintain engagement
Footwork & handling: Turns
- Right turn
- Left turn
- About turn
Heeling with toy
Perch work for left turn
Precue

WEEK THREE

Focal point in motion
Balancing position with focal point
Position game: right foot forward, slow pace
Handling Errors
Drive out of first step
Tricks in heel position
- Maintain engagement
- Reward
- Slow pace
Footwork Halts
Left rotation off the perch
Turn right: Spin around

WEEK FOUR

Position: normal pace
Focal point
fade food
interact with focal point
Tricks to maintain engagement
Left cue quick response
Right cue quick response
Come up sits in heel position
Backwards release

WEEK FIVE

Position: normal pace
Right turn
Left turn
About turn
Halts

WEEK SIX

Putting it all together
Short sequences
- Forward Chain
- Back Chain
Problem Solving

Prerequisites & Supplies

Sample Lecture

Mental breaks.

As we all know, learning requires an enormous amount of concentration. We can only take in so much new information before our brain is overloaded. And at that point, no more information is going in. You’re done! Often when we are learning we take frequent mental breaks. This is a good thing! It enables us to learn for a longer period of time. And the time we are learning we are totally focused. Dogs are the same way. They can only take in so much information at a time. They can only focus and process for a certain period of time. Once they hit their threshold, they are done. Giving them frequent breaks optimizes learning. And it keeps it fun and exciting. We can do things like chase food, tug, throw food, do a cookie scatter, personal play, etc. Pick what our dog LIKES and what your dog thinks is fun. If a dog doesn’t have strong toy drive, and you choose that as an option, your dog is not really getting a quality break. If your dog doesn’t love personal play and you choose that, again, not optimal for your dog. Always remember, all dogs are different. If you’re not sure what your dog likes, experiment. And read your dog. Your dog will tell you what they prefer, we just need to listen.

Mental Endurance

I define this as the ability to stay focused for an extended period of time. Ultimately, our dogs need to remain extremely focused for a long time. But that doesn’t happen overnight. It happens slowly, over time. If you push too hard, your dog will become overwhelmed. A young child has a very short attention span. Same with a dog. Initially they can only focus for a few seconds. Then a few minutes. Then a few more minutes. And so on. When I’m training, I know what my dog’s current threshold is. How? By listening. I watch their face, especially their eyes. If I overdo it, they literally get a glazed look. And we know what that feels like! Once I know their threshold, I look to build on it but VERY slowly and mindfully. I might ask for just one more rep, and really do everything I can to help them through that rep, then jackpot. IF at any time my dog tells me it’s just too much, I MUST MUST MUST respect that. It’s a balance. Push a little (otherwise we never progress), but not too much (because then the dog will get demoralized).

Handling:

Our dogs are constantly looking for information. Your body is a primary source of information. You must become aware of the impact your body has on your dog. If you are consistent, your dog knows what you want. Inconsistency will always confuse your dog. Taping yourself is a good way to become aware of what you are doing with your body. Once you are aware, you can develop good habits. You can ensure that you are always giving your dog the exact same picture. Make it a habit in training and it will increase the likelihood you will do the same thing in the ring. Which will help your dog tremendously!!

With heeling, it’s super important to have good posture. Stand up tall, keep your shoulders square, keep your right hand at your side, and your left hand either on your waist or at your side. Things like twisting, leaning, bending, having your right hand at your waist, etc. will have an impact on your dog. For some dogs it will add pressure. For all dogs it will skew the heeling picture. We will talk about footwork separately. For now, become aware of what you do with your body and start to work on improving it.

Instructors

Petra Ford

I have been training and competing for several decades in a variety of sports including Hunt Tests, Field Trials, Nosework, Agility and Rally. My first love has always been competition obedience. I have been fortunate to win the AKC National Obedience Championship four times with three different dogs. (Click here for full bio and to view Petra's upcoming courses)...

Registration

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