HEEL ON LEASH
Left turns and right turns This week, incorporate right and left hand turns into your heel routine. First, some definitions: “Right turn” is a ninety-degree turn to the right. “Left turn” is a ninety-degree turn to the left. In order for your dog to maintain heel position when you’re walking at a constant speed through these turns, he’ll have to learn to speed up on the right turns and slow down for the left turns. At first your dog may be confused. He’ll likely miss the right turn altogether and will get in your way as you try to turn to the left. Your task as a trainer is to exaggerate the speed changes to teach the dog that on left turns he must slow down, and on right turns he must speed up to remain in heel position. How to teach these turns for the first few days
Right turn Hold your leash in your right hand, food tidbit in your left hand. Snug up on the leash, leaving just a bit of slack. Heel forward with your dog on your left. Just as you are about to go into the right turn: Re-issue the heel command to cue the dog that there is a change coming. Drop your left hand, holding the food tidbit close to the dog’s nose. Then, while performing the turn: Guide the dog through the turn with the food just in front of his nose. Encourage him, saying, “Good heel, good heel.” Once through the turn, give the dog the food tidbit and lots of verbal praise. Continue heeling though and repeat the exercise. Then release the dog with “OK!” and play with the dog. If the dog doesn’t maintain the heel position, try adjusting the position of the food so that the dog’s position corrects. Once you’ve corrected the position, make sure you give him the food tidbit and lots of verbal praise. After a couple of days of guiding the dog through the right turn with the food in sight, try tucking the food out of sight in your left hand. Your dog will still be able to smell it but he will learn that he doesn’t necessarily have to see it. If his attention wanes, show him the food to rekindle his interest in the task. Once his interest is piqued again, do the turn and quickly reward him with the food. Release and praise. Play with the dog for a few seconds then set him up in heel position again and repeat the exercise. 36
