Joy of Heeling Part Two - More Rock it like a Freestyler!
You’ve found the Joy! Now how are you going to keep it and use it in the ring! In Joy of Heeling Part Deux we will add some new games, start to add duration in heelwork and start to change the ratio of heeling to games. We will integrate the games into your obedience exercises and freestyle routines, and we’ll explore how you can use your Joy games to build value in your chains and sequences through back chaining! If you and your dog loved bringing more Joy to your Heeling in Rock it Like a Freestyler! You’ll love Part Deux. There’s no such thing as too much Joy of Heeling!
Course Details
You’ve found the Joy! Now how are you going to keep it and use it in the ring! In Joy of Heeling Part Deux we will add some new games, start to add duration in heelwork and start to change the ratio of heeling to games. We will integrate the games into your obedience exercises and freestyle routines, and we’ll explore how you can use your Joy games to build value in your chains and sequences through back chaining! If you and your dog loved bringing more Joy to your Heeling in Rock it Like a Freestyler! You’ll love Part Deux. There’s no such thing as too much Joy of Heeling!
Teaching Approach
Lectures are released weekly and include written and video descriptions of each exercise in a step-by-step approach. Lectures and exercises (both specific weekly exercises and the entire course) start at a foundation level and take you through the process to the more advanced skills. The skills in the first couple of weeks benefit the team’s success in the last few weeks. Supplemental lectures may be provided depending on need.
Homework is listed at the end of each lecture for easy reference.
Video demonstrations of the exercises include the instructors training sessions as well as actual students working the exercises. There are a variety of breeds and sizes represented in the demo vids. Demonstration video length varies between 1-2 minutes. Many of the demo videos are also captioned.
Each team works at their own pace and at a level where their dog is showing understanding and confidence for the exercises for that week. Each week contains several exercises depending on dog and handler skill level and need.
Students will be provided with both general and specific written feedback, often including timestamps for clarity. Students will be able to show their work for any previous weeks as well as the current week’s exercises for continued feedback.
Some exercises can be completed in a small space. For other exercises you will want an amount of space that you and your dog can heel comfortably for approximately 10 - 12 steps. Some of the class exercises require the handler to move briskly depending on the needs of their dog.
The equipment list is very specific to the class exercises so you will want to be sure to have them ahead of time to get the most benefit from the class.
This class will have a Teacher's Assistant (TA) available in the Facebook study group to help the Bronze and Silver students! Directions for joining that Facebook group will be in the classroom after you register.
Syllabus
Review of Part 1 Games
More Attention games
Moving attention – Just do it!
Marker timing for Anticipation and Lift!
Concept of Duration - Adding duration to familiar games - New games too!
More work equals more pay! Time for a Raise
Pace change games
Fix it! Spins Circles and Weaves oh my!
Ping Pong with a Purpose - Heeling Grids
Maintaining Flow
Adding distraction into familiar games
Green Eggs and Ham! Over Easy, Over Hard!
Adding Cues – Cues for set up, cues for moving in heel
Removing props
Integrating Heeling Patterns
Games during transition between exercises
Games as Reinforcement
Back chaining games with exercises
Adding your sit back in
Sample Lecture
Slide on Through!
This is a fun and quick game that many dogs find lots of joy in! It can also be very effective in maintaining positions on the st and outside turns.
Before playing this game, be sure your dog has a strong reward history for both going through your leg and a hand touch.
Step 1: Start with your dog in front of you. Encourage your dog through your leg and into position. As your dog comes into position, present your hand for Jump to Hand then follow up with Jump to Food.
When your dog is showing confidence in the pattern, move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Bowl a treat in front of you for your dog to chase, or send around a cone, creating a bit of distance between you and your dog. As your dog moves back to you, encourage a bit of speed by calling him to you or praising, or moving backward.
As your dog moves back to you, cue them to go through your leg, encouraging them into position. If using your position cue, be sure to give it as your dog is going through your leg, not after. Again, you want them to move directly into position upon passing through your legs.
As your dog passes through your leg and moves into position, take a step forward with the leg closest to your dog and present your hand target at your hip. Mark and reward the Jump to Hand with a Jump for Food.
Step 3: Repeat as above however, alternate between taking a few steps forward before Jump to Hand, Jump to Food, and making an outside turn (right if your dog is on your left, left if your dog is on your right) And then Jump to Hand, Jump to Food.
Having your dog move through your legs and into position, followed immediately with a hand touch up will help build lift and push from the rear on the straight and on outside turns, as well as help with forging on the straight away.
Here is Phee starting:
Here is Holly and Teresa learnig the process
Here is Phee adding the turn and a bit of heeling
Instructors
Julie Flanery (she/her), CPDT-KA has been working professionally with dogs and their handlers since 1993. She focuses on the needs of the dog and helping people form a strong relationship, through clear communication, and positive reinforcement. She has placed Obedience...
Registration
Choose the plan that fits your goals and start learning at your own pace.
Gold
$260
Enrollment limit: 12
- Access to all lectures and homework forums discussion
- Read all posted questions and answers
- Watch all posted videos
- Post general questions to discussion forum
- Submit written assignments
- Post dog specific questions
- Post videos (unlimited)
- Receive instructor feedback
Registration dates:
November 22, 2025 - December 15, 2025
Silver
$130
Enrollment limit: 25
- Access to all lectures and homework forums discussion
- Read all posted questions and answers
- Watch all posted videos
- Post general questions to discussion forum
- Post dog specific questions (video only)
- Post videos (up to 2)
- Receive instructor feedback
Registration dates:
November 22, 2025 - December 15, 2025
Bronze
$65
Enrollment limit: Unlimited
- Access to all lectures and homework forums discussion
- Read all posted questions and answers
- Watch all posted videos
Registration dates:
November 22, 2025 - December 15, 2025
Scholarship available! Apply here
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