Have you ever watched someone take their dog for a walk and then try to decide who is walking who? Well, we’re going to try and explain how you can get your dog to heel so that both of you will enjoy your time during the walk.

Once again I have to ask everyone to realize my techniques are just one way to train. For every technique I mention or use there are about 100 different ones all claiming to be the one and only. I’m not here to debate the techniques of others but to get you and your dog on the same page. When giving any command it is imperative that you have good timing. It does little good if you say heel and then make the correction 5 seconds later. When giving any command you must time it so that there is stimulus to obey the command at the same instant you give it.

One way to do this is keep the dog on a very short lead. A lead only 2 feet long works well. The reason for the short lead is that you will have control of your dog at all times at a range that is easily managed. Put the dog on the side you would like to have them heel on. I prefer my right side, that way the dog is always away from traffic when you happen to be walking along the road. Okay, you have your dog standing or pulling ready to go for the walk. Keep the lead tight, as you step forward say heel. You say this with an authoritative voice but don’t yell but be firm and at the instant you say heel yank back on the lead. Now with easy to train dogs this action will only have to be used a few times and the dog will get the idea. Now you always have to be the same when you are training.

Consistency is absolutely imperative. Now, with even the easier dogs you will have to repeat this training and you will have to repeat it until the dog no longer fights the lead but waits till you say heel before beginning the walk and they will walk at a pace set by you and not them. Now, harder to train dogs. If you try the above mentioned training technique and it fails miserably you have to go to plan B.

Plan B is what we call in the business a pinch collar. Now when you use one of these PLEASE be sure to get training on it. This is a tool that if used incorrectly can hurt your dog. Now understand there is a difference between the pain delivered here and the pain delivered by using this improperly.

First of all you want the dogs’ attention, not having him/her yelp in pain, so put this on your arm first and have someone pull on it so that you understand the concept and what the dog is going through. DO NOT yank on the lead when using a pinch collar. Use a gentle but firm pull at the same moment you say heel. Here again, use a firm voice but don’t yell. The dog will feel the pressure and at the same time they will feel the prongs on their neck and they will stop pulling. When using any kind of tool to help you train whether it’s longer leads, pinch collars or an electronic collar always, always spend time reassuring your dog. If you have to yank back on the lead then soon as the dog obeys you tell them good boy/girl and stroke them. You want the dog to not only be well mannered but you want it to trust you and feel like you really care.

Now electronic remote trainers (shock collars). You can use shock collars in about any training situation you desire. But as I said above in Plan B, test the tool out on you before you put it on the dog. You turn the collar on put your thumb across the prongs, you start out at the lowest setting and work your way up to the point you can’t take it. I’ve actually put my thumb across the prongs on Sport Dog SD-1200 on the highest setting. YES it hurt. Once I did that I can tell you with complete honesty that I never pushed the button on high on ANY dog except in situations of life and death safety, Example: You’re approaching the end of your hunting area and there is a highway right at the end of the field. Your dog is birdie, and more than likely you are the last thing on his/her mind. You yell WHOA dog keeps going and you can tell there is a lot of traffic. Yes you hit the HOT button. Will it hurt? Yes. Will your dog holler? Yes. But your dog is still alive and as soon as you get to him/her you get right down on your knees to their level and tell them just how good a dog they were. I’ve seen the alternative. I hope none of you will.

All of that being said and getting back to the use of the shock collar in training your dog to heel. Start your setting at the mid point of your trainer’s capability. Put the collar on the dog’s neck and be sure it is tight enough so that the prongs are always in contact with the skin under their chin. Hook your lead to the dog’s regular collar. Now you don’t want to pull on it you want the dog to think that they have free rein, but you want the lead for a safety net. The reaction you will get from your dog when using the shock collar will be one of two: (1) they will roll around on the ground for a bit then get behind you looking for you to help them. (2) They will bolt. That’s the reason for the lead. You want the lead to be slack but you want to have some coiled so the dog ca get a few steps then you can stop him/her. Then you get to them and you reassure them stroke them get them calmed down. Once you do that you start over.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your composure and to deal with the dog calmly. The dog will get a take from you as to how it is going to respond. As I have stressed time and time again ask questions before you start your training. Take the time to learn about what it is you are trying to do with your dog.

Don’t just go out and buy training devices, educate yourself or have a consultation with someone who has your dog’s welfare as well as yours in mind. Not only do I sell the most modern tools to train with but I’m always open for consulting. Don’t be surprised if I tell you that you don’t need a particular item but something a lot cheaper or nothing at all.

For everything said here I still believe in the good ol hands on training. There is nothing that will get you and your dog, to that place where one thinks like the other, than getting down to the dogs level and do the correcting by hand.