How can I get my labrador puppy to heel? | Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK

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How can I get my young puppy to heel?

I never teach a dog heelwork with a lead tight around the top of its neck.

Thursday, 11 January 2007

He knows what 'heel' means, obeys for three seconds and then pulls against me. All the usual methods of compliance totally fail.

I have bred, trained and worked Labradors for the past 35 years, but have a problem with a seven-month-old labrador dog puppy. Biddable and responsive in all other respects, he will not walk to heel. On a lead or choke chain, after nearly three months' heel work, he still pulls like a horse. Can you advise me, please?

A:

I never teach a dog heelwork with a lead tight around the top of its neck, but insist that it moves on a slack lead right from the start.

I begin by teaching the pup to sit and watch me intently, and then I make it stay as I move a step away.

On the command 'heel' - I let it move to my side, and give it a reward for looking up at me. I am teaching the puppy to watch me for guidance - until this is established it will not walk at heel.

Increase the lesson over time, so that instead of the puppy sitting when it has moved one step, I will move another step away, let it follow and then stop.

Even the boldest dog can be calmed and taught self-control as long as the trainer is patient.

This training method may take several weeks of 10-minute lessons twice a day, but success is achievable with a positive one-step-at-a-time approach.