Information Order A Page Puppies and Litter Announcements Search Doberman Pages Contact Doberman Pages Please support FreeShop. In my last article for Doberman Pages , I discussed ways to make a transition from on to off lead heeling. In this issue, I'd like to suggest a way to approach the practicing of heeling for all levels of competition from Novice through Utility. Heeling can make or break a performance.
Many judges start to block score after the initial start and first halt are poor.
This means that generally you are out of the ribbons. This does not include the additional portions of heeling- the finding of heel position on the finishes in all classes and the Moving Stand and the turns in Utility for the articles and the gloves. You begin to teach your dog to heel in Beginners class and continue teaching him on through Novice, Open and Utility. Unfortunately a great deal of time is spent practicing with no appreciable or measurable return for the time invested. Think of all those hours you spent in class, just going round and round the room.