How to Teach Your Puppy to Heel
Training a puppy takes time, patience, and a consistent approach to foundational skills. At Dogs Inc, our pups begin their journey toward becoming service or guide dogs with the help of our devoted volunteer puppy raisers. These amazing humans welcome our puppies into their homes for up to a year, giving them the love and structure they need to thrive.
Before our dogs can change lives, they need to learn how to be good citizens. That means mastering a few key cues—what we call cues, not cues. Cues are signals that guide our dogs to make smart, thoughtful choices that support their future handlers.
To make training easier and more effective, we create helpful videos just for our puppy raisers. And while these tools are made for our future guide dogs, they can help you and your pup too!
What Does “Heel” Mean in Puppy Training?
The “heel” position refers to your dog sitting or standing at your left side. For service and guide dogs, this becomes their default position—the place where they focus, follow, and begin other cues like “sit,” “stay,” or “down.” Teaching your puppy to heel creates a foundation for clear, reliable communication.
Getting Your Puppy’s Focus:
Before teaching heel, make sure your puppy is fully engaged with you. Position yourself in front of them and make eye contact. Hold a treat in your left hand, palm down, ready to guide them into position.
Introducing the “Heel” Cue:
Begin by saying your puppy’s name to grab their attention. Then clearly say, “heel.” For example, “Luna, heel!” As you say the cue, step slightly back with your left foot and use the treat to gently lure your puppy toward your left side.
Guide Them into Position:
Lead your puppy back and around to your left until they are beside you. As soon as they’re in the correct spot, say “yes!” and reward them with a treat or praise. With repetition, they’ll start to connect the cue “heel” with being right at your side.
Practice Makes Progress:
The key to building a reliable heel position is regular practice. Use daily training moments—short and fun—to reinforce the behavior. Face your puppy, use your left hand to guide them, and repeat the “heel” cue often. Over time, your pup will start to move into place naturally when they hear it.
Celebrating the Wins:
Every time your puppy heels correctly, celebrate it! Offer lots of encouragement, treats, or gentle pets. “Good girl!” or “Good boy!” goes a long way in reinforcing the behavior. Positive reinforcement helps your pup stay motivated and eager to learn.
Mastering the heel cue gives your puppy the structure and confidence to grow into a well-behaved, attentive partner. It lays the groundwork for more advanced training and builds a strong connection between you and your pup. Stick with it, be consistent, and always reward the effort.
We’re cheering you on as you teach your dog to heel—here’s to lots of learning, wagging tails, and joyful moments along the way!
If you love helping adorable pups become intelligent, life-changing dogs, consider becoming a volunteer puppy raiser with Dogs Inc. No experience needed—just a warm heart and a willingness to learn.
Find out how you can make a difference through puppy raising, subscribe for monthly updates full of puppy love, and dive into more expert training advice on our website.
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