How do I train my retriever to heel off the leash?

Question

Also, does anybody have any tips for training her to sit and down at a distance? She always comes to me then does it.

She knows stay, and responds to hand signals when close to me. She always comes to me to do it though. She seems to think that sit means stop staying.

Answer 1

offer her a treat every time she sits down

Answer 2

In our classes we transition to off-leash heeling by using a light line. The dog feels like it's off leash but you still have physical control to prevent her from wandering off. Give her lots of feedback so that she learns to rely on you and not the leash.

For distance work, you need to gradually move away. Start with giving the cue when just two or three feet away from your dog. Be prepared to step forward and quickly stop her if she moves forward instead of sitting or lying down. Give her lots of praise and some treats when she stays where she is and sits or downs. Slowly increase distance.

Look for an intermediate level training class in your area - that should help a lot.

Answer 3

Time and a lot of patience is the first thing. You need to teach your dog hand signals. You could try going to the library and find a book on training your dog. I could be typing all day if I tried to explain it to you this way. Try to find a book that has illustrations as they would be a big help. My husband just told me that you should start close and slowly work away from you.

Answer 4

people always beat around the bush when training dogs i have trained 7 of my own dog and yes it takes a lot of presevierance but all u have to do is walk the dog on the lead if he moves from your side even the slightest yank his lead and with a good strong command voice shot here or heal and smack your own hip so it makes a slappin sound keep doing this till the dog obeys u then u should be able to do the same of the lead and enjoy long walks together be stricked and powerfull thats all it is and the dog will love u more for it

Answer 5

Fill your pocket with little treats. Take a walk around the yard telling her to heal. When she does what you want give her a treat and tell her she's a good girl. You may have to keep her on a leash til she gets it! You need to teach her to stay. Have her sit and stay, then walk further and further away praising her for staying. Then call her and give her a treat. Or have her stay and then have someone else call her. Giver her a treat when she stays. She need to know to only listen to you. Good Luck!

Answer 6

you have to start the training with the leash, lightly tugging on it, and saying the word heel at the same time. Adventually you will have to tug on him less and less. He will start heeling with just your words. Once you feel he has a pretty good idea of what you want from him, when you say "heel", you can then take off his leash and continue his training leashless. Good luck!!!

Answer 7

Give her a treat, speak nicely, there is a book called the perfect puppy (by Gwen Bailey) it has some things in there that can work for older dogs too. They have it at a lot of libraries

Answer 8

okay, to heel off leash:
you should walk her off leash and keep treats in your pocket or hand...all the while saying "heel"...when she does it give her a treat...soon enough she will get it.
to sit down at a distance:
don't praise her until she does it right...or else she'll never learn

Answer 9

Walk with him on the leash for a bit, then take him off and walk and frequently stop suddenly saying heal...pull on his collar if needed to get him to stop beside you. Say heal frequently and stop often too.

Answer 10

for the sit & down at a diatance put a board in front of her & every time put her back of the board when she crosses it - she'll get the idea eventually.
Healing off lead - start on lead, tuck lead in belt, put twa leads on & take one off short inervals off lead at first.