From: saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Marla Belzowski (K-9's))
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Heeling advice requested
Date: 16 Apr 92 19:15:15 GMT
Organization: Purdue University

In article <1992Apr16.123650.995@desire.wright.edu> bmann@desire.wright.edu writes:
>I haven't posted a report on Barney lately, being busy with all sorts of
>things.  I'm still in love with him - he's extremely affectionate and
>remarkably well behaved for a 6 1/2 month old Airedale.  Gave him his
>first haircut last week and he even LOOKS like an Airedale instead of
>a large floor mop.
>
>...............

>The problem: He surges ahead a lot and is very easily distracted by
>all the other things going on - lots of other dogs in my class and
>others.  We're in a center "ring" in a large gymnasium-type room
>with a puppy class on one side of us and another beginner's class
>on the other.
>
>What I've been told to do by various people (you will observe that
>it is impossible to do this all at once):
>	1. Talk to him constantly, praising him profusely when he 
>heels well.  (No advice from this person about what to talk to him
>about when he isn't heeling well!)
>	2. "Pop" the collar when he goes out of heel position -
>popping in a direction that urges him back to the right place.
>	3. Tell him "NO" at the same time I pop.
>	4. Repeat "Heel" at the same time I pop.
>	5. Use bait to keep his attention.
>	6. Don't use bait to keep his attention.
>
>Recently the rather disorganized instructor has suggested that we
>might need to try Barney on one of those corrective collars - a
>step up from a choker.  I'm reluctant to do this until all other
>methods fail.
>
>Can somebody give me some definitive advice about this problem?
>Am I expecting too much of a 6-month-old puppy who is doing so
>well at everything else?  
>
>I'm afraid he'll get to the point where he's confused enough that
>he'll start hating this and I definitely don't want to do that.
>
>e-mail responses to bmann@desire.wright.edu or post them.
>
>Thanks. - Barbara Mann\

Hmmmm.  Tough choices.  First I wouldn't worry much right now about
prefect heeling.  He's young and heeling can take some time.  
It usually takes me about 3 weeks before my dog really understand what
heeling is.  Because he is pulling out in front right now, you doin't
want to totally dicourage enthusiatic heeling by total corrections.
He's in the same situation that you are right now, he has no idea
where heel is.  I suggest that you "bind" him right now.  Only
allow about two inches of space in the lead.  Hold the
lead like a baseball bat handle, with your hands almost on his
collar.  "Plaster" you arms against your body.  When you start
off (with your left leg) tell him heel and hold him right there at
your side.  If he pulls ahead, add pressure in the lead backwards
and say "get back".  Once he stops pulling tell him "good boy".
Stop and do about four straight lines first (no turns yet).
Just counter any wy he pulls with either "get back", "get-up"
"get-in" or "get out".    When he is in the right spot, tell him
he's good.  Just do a few short heels first and increase length.
As he learns where heel is, he should stop pulling then you
can let more leash out and do the same thing.  If he stars pulling
again, go right back down to just a few inches.

Another way is to "pop" him with the lead.  I usually
pull up and back when dogs are just  totally ignoring the heel.
This way they get a little slack at first and learn that they
can walk with a loose lead, but when they start pulling, they
get jerked.  I say "no" as I lift and "heel" again as the lead is slack.
As they allow the lead to stay slack, I say "good dog".

Also, at home teach him to watch you.  You can do this with food
and say "watch" and hold a small bit of food between your eyes.
As soon as he looks praise him (not necessarly giving him the food).
Sonn He'll learn "watch" mean look at mom's eyes.  ALWAYS
praise him for looking and use lost of praise after a sucessful
heel.

Try a few and see what works for you and your dog.

----------------------------------------------
Marla Belzowski   saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Mauii Nikki Belzowski CD CGC TDI CERF
Brittish Legend of Beowulf (1leg CD) CGC TDI CERF  tri-color collies
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