To teach your dog to heel without pulling, you can use a combination of verbal cues, physical guidance, positive reinforcement, and occasional food rewards. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Start in a quiet and distraction-free environment. Hold a treat in your hand, close to your dog’s nose, to get her attention.
2. Say your dog’s name followed by the cue “heel” in a clear and upbeat tone. This will let her know what behavior you want her to perform.
3. Move off slowly, tapping your thigh or the side of your leg with your hand to encourage her to follow you closely. Make sure to keep the treat close to her nose, but don’t let her have it yet.
4. As soon as your dog starts walking alongside you without pulling, praise her enthusiastically. Use verbal praise, such as saying “good girl” or “yes,” as well as physical praise, like petting her or giving her gentle strokes.
5. After a few steps, reward your dog with the treat, but only if she maintains the proper position beside you without pulling. This intermittent reinforcement will motivate her to continue walking nicely beside you.
6. Continue to walk, using the same cue and tapping your thigh, intermittently rewarding with treats and praising when she maintains the proper position. Gradually increase the distance and duration of your walks, gradually reducing the frequency of treats but continuing to praise her regularly.
7. If your dog starts to pull ahead, stop walking immediately and reverse direction. Say your dog’s name followed by the cue “heel” again, tapping your thigh to get her attention. This helps to remind her of the desired behavior.
8. Once your dog returns to the proper position beside you, resume walking and reward her with praise and occasional treats for maintaining the heel position.
9. Practice this exercise frequently, gradually introducing more distractions and challenging environments. Remember to be patient and consistent with your training. Each time you go for a walk, reinforce the “heel” behavior and reward your dog for walking calmly beside you.
It’s important to note that teaching your dog to heel without pulling takes time and practice. Be consistent with your training, and remember to always use positive reinforcement methods. By providing clear cues, physical guidance, and rewards, you can help your dog learn to walk politely beside you without pulling.