When training your dog, what exactly does "heal" mean? Solve this argument between me and my husband, please!

Question

I say it means for the our dog to stop and stay at my side when I stop, he thinks it means for the dog to walk along at your side.

Answer 1

It means for the dog to stay by your side, whether you are walking OR stopped.

To learn basic obedience a dog must heel on a loose leash, sit, stand, down, stay in position, and come when called.

Answer 2

Relax you are both right... "Heel" simply means "Stay at my Heel." Whether you are walking or stopping, the meaning applies to both. It's just a verbal command to make the dog do what you are doing and go where you are going. When a dog is trained properly, when you say heal the dog will look up at you for a visual clue as to what you are wanting it to do. in summary:
Heel= Follow along side/ stop and sit next to me.

Answer 3

Heal
When teaching the "Heal" command, first thing to do is put the leash on your dog. Keep the leash short so that your dog will be forced to stand up against you by your side. As you start walking with your dog, if he tries to tug ahead, pull him back and say "Heal." Praise and reward him with a snack when he is walking properly along side you without pulling. Once he's gotten used to the idea that he's not allowed to pull, you can allow him more slack on his leash.

Answer 4

Heal means to stop pulling, so it can be stopping OR walking along your side.

but if you are training your dog, you should come up with another word for stop/ walk next to me so the dog doesn't get confused.

Answer 5

Well "heal" means that the sore on the dogs nose has gotten better.
"Heel" means that the dog will get in the one foot circle beside your left foot and stay there regardless of what you do. Walk, run, stop, or even sit down makes no difference the dog is suppose to stay in that one foot circle beside your left foot.

Answer 6

The "heel position" is for the dog to be sitting at your left side, with the shoulders just about even with your body (meaning not behind or in front of you). To "walk in heel" means your dog is in the same postition but moves with you. To your dog, heel means at your left side, regardless of if you are moving or standing still.

When I heel with my dog, and I stop, she is trained to immediately stop and sit in the heel position until I command to heel forward again. I don't need to command halt or stop or sit, she is trained to walk with me in heel, stop and sit when I stop and go forward when I command. When your competing in Obedience in the ring, your dog needs to know to do these things, preferrably without the need for a verbal command.

So you are both right.

Answer 7

"The heel position as defined in these Regulations, applies whether the dog is sitting, standing, lying down, or moving at heel. The dog should be at the handler's left side straight in line with the direction the handler is facing. The area from the dog's head to shoulder is to be in line with the handler's left hip. The dog should be close to, but not crowding its handler so that the handler has freedom of motion at all times."

Answer 8

You are both right. "Heal" means that the dog should stay by your side, so if you are stopped the dog should be seated at your side, if you are walking the dog should be walking at your side.

Answer 9

It's kinda a combination. You say heal so the dog will walk at your side and stop when you stop - preferably without any stop commands.

My husband and I are currently teaching our newest dog, our 2yr BichonPoodle Mix Puppymill rescue this very technique.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Heal Means To Stop In Dog Language