The Heel
Place your dog in the sitting position at your left. Fold the leash neatly into your right hand and hold it about waist high. Make sure there is enough slack in the leash. Let your left arm hang at your side and control the leash with your left hand when needed.
Upon your instructor's command "Forward", you should do three things:
Say your dog's name and "Heel" in a commanding voice, neither weak and pleading nor loud and harsh. However, make sure you are loud enough to be heard over other interfering noise.
Step forward with your Left foot. This signals the dog that it is time to move. The right foot is used when leaving your dog for a stay.
Walk at a brisk pace that fits the size of your dog.
Heel with a loose leash. If the dog forges ahead, give a quick jerk on the lead while repeating the command "Heel". If the dog is lagging behind, jerk him forward. The jerk and the command must come at the say time or the dog will not connect the correction with what he is supposed to do.
Upon your instructor's command "Halt", you should sit you dog in heeling position saying your dog's name and "Sit". With training and practice, the dog will learn to automatically sit without a command when you stop walking.
When you are finished with the exercise, Praise your dog.
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