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Tiffanie Gray's avatar

Heeling. Mine walk loose leash okay, most of the time, but not a true "heeling" which I need to work on. He is small enough, that I would have to bend over to try to keep him to my shin/knee. So, ideas on how to train that better.

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A. Kristina Casasent's avatar

Hi Tiffanie,

This time it is Anna. When you say your dog isn't in a true heel what do you mean? Is he lagging behind, or forging ahead? He is a herding type dog, so is he trying to herd you?

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Tiffanie Gray's avatar

Yes, yes, yes and no.

He is a Sheltie.= So herding dog.

But, he can do a loose leash, and he'll be in front, of to the side, cross behind, cross in front, slightly behind. basically the length of the leash, however much or little I give. He doesn't pull on it, just goes to the end and then back again. He looks at EVERYTHING! lol

I was watching a YT video and they said to put something in your hand, cupped, and have them "dig it out" as you are walking, so they get the idea of being close. But, I am 6' tall and he is shorter than my knee...so that doesn't work. lol

When we went to the hardware store with my service trainer last Wed to work on socialization and staying behind the cart when I'm pushing, by the end he was doing a little better, because he couldn't get in front, but he would swing wide all the time, which isn't good, because of getting hit with someone else's cart and such.

So, we are working on it.

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A. Kristina Casasent's avatar

Okay. So, yes they often think of people have larger dogs.

I found a few videos that you might find helpful, but I think the one I would highlight is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci6VXzHnAV8 at minute 4 it covers using a backscratcher to extend your reach so you don't have to lean over to deliver treats and then slowly edge that up. I think this one will cover what you need.

I also really liked Andy's video on training heel but this one does not really cover having you not bend over... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N56d4jbrBQQ

Kikopup also have one showing different way to give treats without bending over, but most of hers talk about giving the treats stationary, putting it in a bowl, having the dog catch it, or having the dog do paws up on your leg or us a platform and train the dog higher up.

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Tiffanie Gray's avatar

Yeah, he can get treats all those ways, (stationary) already. But, I will watch the ones you recommended. He doesn't like my backscratcher, but maybe something like that would work.

Thank you!

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A. Kristina Casasent's avatar

You can try different items. Backscratcher, a wooden spoon, it just needs to be an arm extender.

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A. Kristina Casasent's avatar

Anna should be by to answer this. With Crokell, if he's lagging, I put the leash in front of my legs, so the movement of my legs pulls him forward. When he's forging ahead (like if one of the little kids or a dog is down the street in front of us), I put the leash behind my legs. If Anna thinks this setup would help you, I'll get a picture while we walk later and post it.

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