Heel

   To teach your dog heel command we will need few things. A few treats or a favorite toy, a short leash and a long leash. Make sure your dog is focused on you, either a treat or toy is helpful here at first.

First you must pick a side to which your dog will come. It really doesn't matter if its left or right, choose one you are comfortable with and only use that one so the dog doesn't get confused.

   As most dog tricks/commands this will take a couple of lessons to learn. At the beginning you will need to teach your dog the meaning of Heel. Put the dog into a sit position right by your chosen side. Say in loud and clear voice "HEEL" and start walking. When the dog follows you at your side, praise it! You might need to lure your dog first few times with a treat or a toy. Do this few times and your dog will know the basic command heel.

   Now, knowing a command and doing a command are separate things. Obviously command is useless if the dog ignores it. In this stage I usually use a few simple exercises. You will need a few objects as markers. For example, tree's, chairs, etc. Put them somewhere where you can freely walk around them. Now before you can start practicing make a mental route of random turns around the objects. Put your dog into the sit position by your side, say "Heel" and start walking with the foot that is closest to the dog. Now complete the course you made up and heel.

Every now and then when you are walking your dog you can start saying "HEEL" and your gently tug your dog so it comes to the desired side. As well as randomly changing directions while heeling, so the dog has its attention focused on you.

   Another fun trick/command involving HEEL is to make dog sit when you stop. Follow the same exact procedure, before you stop say your command for "STOP". Make sure not to freeze in place when you said that command, say it and give a dog a few steps to stop. When it stops, put him in sit position by your side and praise. After you do this a few dozen times, your dog will learn to sit when you stop without you even saying the "Sit" command! :)