What Does Heel Mean in Dog Training? An Expert Guide

What Does Heel Mean in Dog Training?

At The Dan Gentile Dog Training Center, one of the most common training requests clients have for us relates to training their canine friends to “heel.” Owners want their dogs to maintain close contact with them while walking without constantly pushing underneath them.

What does heel mean in dog training? Read on for more information about the training term “heel” from the top canine training center in NJ.

What Is the Heel Command?

What does heel mean in dog training? The term has a defined meaning as a command that instructs a dog to walk calmly at the handler’s side. The dog matches the handler’s stride and aligns its front paws with the handler’s heels. In this position, the dog can maintain eye contact with the handler and accept further commands quickly. 

The verbal command “heel” is often accompanied by a visual signal such as a hand gesture. 

As a command for controlled movement, “heel” differs from “sit,” which is a command for stationary obedience. The “walk” command gives a dog more freedom to move and explore while on a leash. 

Why the Heel Command Is Important 

Learning to heel correctly is a vital exercise for dogs. It gives an owner control and gives the dog substantial mental exercise. Proper heeling posture while on a loose leash requires disciplined behavior and focus from your dog, who must work hard to resist the temptation to explore every smell or interesting object it walks past. 

Effective heeling means your dog constantly takes direction from you through your stride and gait rather than drifting off into every distraction. 

While heeling is not always essential while walking on a leash, it is a valuable tool, and dogs should follow the heel command daily.

How Dogs Are Trained To Heel

Dogs learn the heel command by beginning in an environment free of distractions that could divert their attention. A clicker and consistent positive reinforcement with rewards introduce the command, which involves short movements over time while maintaining a desired position.

The dog becomes more proficient at the heel command through repetition, gradually increasing the duration of the exercise, and introducing common distractions to test the animal’s focus on the handler. 

Young puppies around eight to 10 weeks old can start learning the heel command as part of their earliest training. However, it’s never too late to teach a dog the command at any age. Because the command requires physical skill and cognitive ability, a trainer must always consider a dog’s attributes when training the heel command.

Trust Your Dog to Professional Training in New Jersey

The team at The Dan Gentile Dog Training Center believes in helping dog owners learn about essential training techniques and methods to help them develop the best relationship possible with their canine companions.

Whether we can help answer the question, “What does heel mean in dog training?” or dispel common dog training myths, we want to teach customers about our process and help them in caring for dogs.

Call us today at (732) 938-5040 to schedule professional training for your dog at our facility in Howell Township.