Training Camp: Transitioning from heeling on lead to heeling off lead

Sporting Dog Committee Members:
Avery Sporting Dog Specialist: Steve Mealman
Date: 12/10/06
Product(s) Used:
Avery® Heeling Stick

Factors: None apply

Training Process
There are few training tools as valuable to a trainer as a heeling stick! When used correctly at the right time, it can be the most effective form of correction there is.

Danny Farmer, owner of Vinwood Kennels and member of Team Waterdog, discusses the proper use of the Avery® Heeling Stick.   Broadband   • Windows Media Player       - 8.8 Mb Est. 0.8 Min. @ 1.5M DSL)   • Real Player       - 2.5 Mb Est. 0.2 Min. @ 1.5M DSL)   • Quicktime Player       - 6 Mb Est. 0.5 Min. @ 1.5M DSL)   Dial-Up   • Windows Media Player       - 7.8 Mb Est. 18.1 Min. @ 56.6)   • Real Player       - 0.3 Mb Est. 0.6 Min. @ 56.6)   • Quicktime Player       - 1.2 Mb Est. 2.9 Min. @ 56.6)

Of primary importance when using a heeling stick is proper hold. If the stick is not held correctly, it is extremely hard to give a correction to your dog at the proper time. A heeling stick should be held in the hand on the same side your dog is heeled on. Grip the handle in the same manner you would grip an umbrella and lay it flat against your arm with the tip of the stick at your shoulder. The heeling stick is held in this manner to avoid bringing the stick up and then down when making a correction. The correction should be given straight down so your dog will not see any unnecessary movement.

When using a heeling stick to teach your dog to walk at heel, timing of a correction is of utmost importance. Assuming he has been taught properly to heel with a choke chain and a lead, teaching your dog to heel off lead using a heeling stick should be fairly easy.

If, while walking at heel, your dog's front shoulders get in front of your leg he is heeled on, you should deliver a correction. The correction should be delivered to his hindquarter, and you should give the "heel" command after the correction. The dog should return back to the heel position. Walk forward again and give a correction and heel command if needed. Once the dog is proficient at walking straight lines at heel, you should move to figure eights. To offer your dog a greater challenge at hell, you can walk him past piles of bumpers or other dogs. If he gets out in front of you, you should deliver a crisp correction to his hindquarters followed by the "heel" command.

Now you don't have to give a hard correction to the dog. The Avery Heeling stick is training tool not a tool used for punishment. You should only give enough correction to change the action of the dog. You should NOT here a vocalization when giving a correction to the dog.

With proper under standing on how to use the Avery Heeling stick, it can be the most affective training tool you use to teach your dog to heel of lead.

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Avery Sporting Dog Specialists