Heel
.jpeg)
What:
Heel involves teaching your dog to walk by your side and remain in that position while you move forward, backward, or from side to side.
Heal often requires the dog to modify their stride to match the handler's pace without pulling forward or falling behind.
Why:
- It's a great way to help reactive or nervous dogs walk past triggers in a tight space like the sidewalk.
- It makes walking more pleasurable for humans.
- It is a great way to improve your dog's focus on you during your walks with your dog.
- It
How:
Pairing a markerThe fastest way to pair or build a marker word is by using food as a primary reinforcer when your dog is hungry. This is because you can deliver the marker followed by food, and a few seconds later, once your dog has swallowed the food, you can go again, making the learning quick and enjoyable for both the human and the dog. Once the marker is built at dinner time, you can strengthen it by using other reinforcers like sniffing, toys, play, access to certain areas like the outside or that comfy spot on the couch, pats, praise and even interaction with other people and animals.
When training the marker, deliver the sound first, then present the food. Avoid letting your dog see the food in your hand first or the hand reaching into your treat pouch. This ensures you reward your dog, not bribe them. Click here for an excellent guide by McCann Dogs Bribe VS Reward.
When training the marker, deliver the sound first, then present the food. Avoid letting your dog see the food in your hand first or the hand reaching into your treat pouch. This ensures you reward your dog, not bribe them. Click here for an excellent guide by McCann Dogs Bribe VS Reward.
Steps for a Yes/clicker – (High energy Event marker that marks the completion of the behaviour) 1. Say the marker word Yes or click in an upbeat tone2. Deliver food quickly directly to your dog’s mouth. 3. Repeat around 10 or 20 times. 4. Capture Fun energy by conditioning the marker when your dog is happy and playful.
Steps for a Good/hold – (Low energy Continuous marker that marks ongoing good behaviour) 1. Say the marker word Good, hold or even a Shush sound in a slow, low energy energy-calming tone 2. Deliver food slowly to your dog’s mouth, hold the food as long as possible till your dog gently takes it and gently pat the dog (if they enjoy it) while repeating the marker word. 3. Repeat around 10 or 20 times. 4. Capture calm energy by conditioning this marker when your dog is relaxing on their bed.
- To get the best results, Clasically condition your marker words. You can do this by not asking the dog anything for the first few repetitions. It is also more effective if you Charge the marker before every training session.
- Using your marker effectively:
- You can use the marker once you have built and conditioned it during training.
- When asking a dog for specific behaviour, you can use the marker the second time the dog does the right thing. For example, if you ask the dog to sit, the second the dog’s backside touches the floor, you mark YES and deliver a food reward.
- When getting a dog to stay seated, you say ‘SIT’, then mark YES and reward when the dog sits. You then say GOOD and slowly deliver the next treat or pats while the dog is seated.
Your marker is an excellent tool to help build positive behaviour paterns and teach the dog to avoid undesirable behaviours.
THe best way to do this is to Find your moment of YES
Click below on the excellent illustration by Lili Chin to learn more.
Great Videos by other trainers
More resources: