Competition Focused Heeling part 1 foundation - Dog Training Video

Competition style focused heeling is a level above pet dog heeling or loose leash walking. I made this video because several of you have asked to see it. If you ever watch an IPO or AKC competition you'll be in for a treat seeing how beautifully these dogs heel. It's like watching a dance.
Getting your dog to do this type of a competition heel is not easy, but I break the basics down in this video so you can give it a try. There are plenty more things to add to this, and keep in mind, this is only one part... part 2 is coming and possible part 3
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#competitionheel #focusedheel #competitiveobedience

[@zebdawson3687]

I don’t believe there’s a dog trainer with a better likes to dislikes ratio on KZbin, and there’s a reason for that. You have one of the best mindsets when it comes to the dog’s psychology and how best to interact with that psychology. I can’t thank you enough for the incredibly valuable resource you’re providing for all of us!

[@Aniejayandmei]

Terrific. Clear instructions. You are an excellent trainer of people as well as dogs!

[@ajdaltonrn]

Lovely video, I really got what you were teaching. Thank you 👍

[@McBadgersDad]

I like how you break your instruction into steps and make it so easy to understand

[@jsleamer2046]

3:07 he has his tongue out on the side 😂😍

[@susanbirch5705]

Thanks for clarifying the hand position in competition. great video.

[@mikeboucard8535]

Good tips

[@JoyR528]

Excellent video! Thank you, I have really been struggling with this with my GSD. You have explained it very well and clearly! PLEASE....part 2 and 3!!!!!!!!

[@FYB_E]

Good job 👏 as always I needed this one ☝️👍🏽👍🏽

[@jakeepup96]

This looks like so much fun to teach!

[@JerryDFarrell]

Great demonstration, thanks for creating this video.

[@papoumkl7118]

The Best Heeling teaching video I have ever seen !

[@kkworld783]

Thanks for the heeling videos, very clear and good info. Greatly appreciated.

[@JasonMichaelBernardo]

That was awesome. We are looking forward to the next one. Thank you! As always, extremely insightful content.

[@sucathwa8000]

Thanks Robert, this is marvellous.. Cant wait to use your wonderful method.

[@stellaturkmen]

Looks fun exciting with bonding thank you Robert love the nickname ...

[@nitrolynn1058]

Thank you for making this video. Can't wait to try this with my GSD Khan. I have been looking for a good heeling video . Looking forward to the next part.

[@jimbshevlin]

Great instructions. I was looking for a fun way to start teaching this technic to my dog. Thank you for the share Robert.

[@leelahowland6519]

One of the best focus heel training videos I’ve seen. Excellent breakdown and instructions! Thank you!

[@jpkidder3522]

he got so big!

[@ab935]

Excellent method.

[@TJHutchExotics]

The Duane-anetor! Love it

[@CALCOBRA94]

Much appreciate you taking the time and sharing your knowledge to the masses. Very informative and knowledgeable in your trade

[@MT-if1jr]

Thank you so much!!!

[@patchtheservicebear5325]

Very educating! Saving this for when I get my service dog prospect.

[@PTL0W51T]

Thanks mate this helps a lot

[@anirbandoglover8482]

Superb..excellent..

[@zoombiedeadgirl]

This has been the best video I have seen on this subject. Thank you so much for this! I've been searching for this problem , on him looking everywhere and not on me . Thank you so much !

[@refaiabdeen5943]

Cheers Mate!

[@memeguyTM]

Thanks, the look explanation really helps. I'm actually making the same mistake. I will now reward for the continued looking up. Great video. This is actually such a brilliant video on heel work. I'm sharing.

[@luiscardona1495]

Hello I have been watching your videos. And I have been learning a lot from you and my dog. I saw you testimony and I appreciate you sharing knowledge.

[@ambermartinez8975]

Great video! I’ve always had the hardest time with heels because at a young age, I was told to pull/pop the leash to keep them in position. But, even I knew that that wasn’t giving any real communication with the dog. So, growing up I procrastinated doing heels because I don’t get the focus I need. This video is really helpful in conditioning the duration of his focus. Finally I can fix this problem I’ve had. Thank you :)

[@heartscreature]

Thank you

[@kuntalbose3827]

Very nice tips sir

[@LauraHopkinsCDL]

Beautiful demonstration. Focused heeling is also good for keeping your dog out of trouble from untrained off lead dogs when out . Thanks Robert. I use snaking movements ,zigzags ans quartering a circle to help keep things interesting .

[@johnbasedow]

This is very helpful info. Haven’t seen the walk in place before. I’m just getting into obedience competition with my Schipperke and the focused heel is a big challenge.

[@ceeceecollins3668]

We have been practicing the focus heel I don’t do it for very long maybe four minutes I don’t want her to lose her concentration. I really wish that we could have a trainer like you Robert in New Jersey they are all hit or miss mostly miss...so thankful for your videos

[@Bobandwinnie]

Excellent video, I can not wait to try it tomorrow...... Our heeling is o.k. focus is coming along... she is 2 years old, food motivated, goes to class and has come along well...... always looking for the better button to push. I want her to have fun, and we want to place..... Thank you

[@raventhelabrador2665]

Great video👍. I'm also a dog trainer and I see so many people posting training videos and they always way overcomplicate everything they are doing and it just makes it difficult for someone who is new and is just starting to train their dog. Anyways keep up the great work. 🙂👍✌

[@coltoncarroway5079]

you're marking and rewarding at the same time..every time.

[@tonyverhagen]

i have a white shepherd of 11 month now… i am in a training program for learning the basics for the obedience. this is a really good tip i can use haha... i live in the Netherlands where the stages of obedience are a bit different i guess.

[@madhausrotts]

I noticed you used the shame/ stop that command, perhaps you could explain that command and how its used in a future video please? Id love to know its useage and how youve conditioned it into the dog..fantastic vids btw.. cheers, Levi

[@meghnaparab]

Thanks for this video Robert. Dwyano meter looks bigger. My lab pup seems to be almost the same age. Will use your tips to start focused heel with him.

[@meghnaparab]

Looking forward to see Goofy's focused heel video.

[@shaharyarsheikh3295]

Thanks Robert for another very helpful video. I have one question regarding fetch. My dog black lab 6 months old Parker only fetches when i have a treat in my hand and i am r ready to give it to him. I think he doesn't like to play fetch he just does it for the food. What should i do?

[@fireninja1990]

Awesome video, really clear on what to do and what not. I have been following obedience training with my 16 month old cocker spaniel. I struggle a lot with him focusing on me, because the smell on the ground is more interesting. So it is hard to keep him looking at me, would you have any tips on how to keep his focus on me while we are moving? :)

[@zeerie7521]

Another banger video teaching canines. Thanks Robert because it is so difficult to get a dog to heel. I will try your technique to get my dog to heel. Do you have any skull caps?

[@TeslaNick2]

Yay, one of my dogs is a ace at the focussed heel. Trained 100% positive, never needed to add corrections. His form is awesome too, his prance is really elegant.

[@roaddog4334]

👍

[@theonlinedogtrainerreview5747]

Thank you! Love the emphasis on just having fun and enjoying your dog 🐾

[@JustinCarter5]

Awesome video! Question: would you recommend traditional heel and focused heel being separate commands? If we’re on a normal walk I don’t want my dog to feel they have to look at me the entire time.

[@bafinneg]

I've been trying to figure out this question myself. What I've chosen to do is have heel be exclusively a working command which requires focus, there is no heeling without focus in the repertoire going forward. So for casual walking I won't issue a heel command unless I need to get focus and squeeze by some type of situation, then release the focus and carry on walking. I will on casual walks enforce "polite" walking. I would like her to be no further than my knee cap at a full stride, if she is foraging out I will stop, correct and continue. So far it is working well but I am very conservative when we heel and make sure to release before she can look away...doesn't always work out 😊 . Definitely would like to know Roberts perspective on casual walking and focused heeling.

[@33McGhie]

Always look forward to the next training videos. Thanks so much. I was wondering if you could make one on fetching/retrieving. I know many dogs do this naturally, however ironically enough my 8 Month old retriever isnt the greatest retriever. Not planning on hunting with him but its something I'd like him to learn for exercise even. Thank you!

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Coming soon.

[@33McGhie]

Thanks!

[@thomasathey5265]

How do you train the absolute basics to the heel? like getting the dog in position

[@carmeloandrade7941]

Robert thank you for this. I have a belgian malinois whose behavior is looking back and down on heeling as what your mention. Can i prong collar him during the training or just slip lead?

[@politicallyincorrect9862]

Carmelo Andrade I recommend using the prong. Don’t be fooled by the look. They are safer and more humane for most dogs as opposed to the slip chain. Sprenger is a good brand. Leerburg has some videos on how to use them properly.

[@ajaikrishnaramalingam7646]

I have the same breed same colour her growth is slow i think just wanna check

[@LoVE.B.]

2020 anyone? Happy new year

[@txastra523]

Hi

[@txastra523]

Its corona time

[@UNsupremeJose]

Should heel and focus heel be a different command (word)?

[@vincentking9043]

Aww I've been trying this technique but my trainer just said to hold the food on the dog's nose. We just get shown little bit so I am not to sure where she's going with it all so I end up watching your good self to help me understand. Thank you for your Robert because you have been a big help and you explain things so well and it's good to see how it's done too.

[@Jozayz]

How do you walk 2 dogs at once, I have 2 huskies not sure if I should have them both on one side.

[@miyaboyles1319]

I'm self training my Australian Shepherd as my service dog, he doesn't use the command heel but walks in a heel every time we leave the house. Should I teach this to him to better keep his attention on me at all times or would this over do it because we can be out for long periods of time. (PTSD, bipolar)

[@chercoall]

Can I ask what can I do if my dog isn’t very treat or toy motivated to improve her heel? She kinda always walks behind me 😅

[@gengholic]

What kind of collar do you use? I find the flat collar tends not to stay in place..

[@gavinmasterson7843]

Is a focused heel good for a reactive dog after the long leash training is done?

[@mlambrechts1]

This is dog training for competition. I did this in the past (not anymore).

[@pianocovers2702]

Hi Robert, I have 3 month old malinois and I've already started with her training.But she has quite aggressive way of playing.I can't play with her because everytime she starts biting my sleeves, pants and legs.She keeps growling and pulling my clothes and doesn't want to let go.I tell her no, sit, down etc. but she gets more and more agressive.Any advice?

[@jennywgnr]

Piano Covers Whenever she’s starting to bite, immediately ignore her and stop playing. Over time and with consistency she learns that it’s NOT okay to bite YOU, but biting toys is totally fine. Maybe you could look into some bitework for her to get her need to bite into something useful!

[@marvona3531]

👍✳️👍✳️👍✳️

[@brambleglen]

What lead are you using?

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Training line 10 feet 3 meters

[@stevo17500]

How old is he in this video

[@shynihunterpt]

When should we stop giving the treats??? Doesnt the threats make him food driven? Will my dog still be focus on me when i had nothing to give him

[@nadiaencyclopedia5411]

What’s your opinion on alpha rolling puppies?

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Hate it. Never ever break that puppy spirit. NEVER

[@alexiswilloughby9131]

Robert Cabral why? That makes no sense. So you hate it when a mother puts her dogs in their place? That’s like you not spanking you child when they have disobeyed you after a warning.

[@traymuse3810]

@@alexiswilloughby9131 difference between corrections and alpha rolling. If you alpha roll a dog wrong you can get bit.

[@stormysampson1257]

Robert, my goodness, I've paid tons for lame advice, that I knew was partly lame. I know that there are no absolutes. Something was better than nothing. I put my baby girl in the kennel I took lessons from... for a week while we got married. Me and my human husband!! When we got back and I learned what this police dog trainer was doing with her I wanted to KILL. I know what training is real and what is not and Robert, you are the only dog trainer I've not found a single thing I question. the only one on this internet. We are trying to get signed up with a gal in the area...just need to go watch how she communicates with dogs. All dogs. Robert, please please please keep going. I have to say I have some experience with dogs and training and I am a wannabee 'urban musher'!! You are solid. I even know horses and horse training and my goodness I've always known that training horses is the same with training dogs is the same training our kids!!! We've got 2 2year old massive chocolate lab with blue heeler...they both are the size of my major pedigreed field trial dog we lost 2 years ago. I've been dragged many times, one time I broke 2 ribs, bashed my nose and garfed up my knee. Too bad. Our biggest drive is to get a way to exercise these damn brick shit houses! They DO listen, they are smart...I am at a junction between a small space and being able to communicate in the big spaces; their paddock of 1000 sq. ft. and then being able to trust them to come on our 5 acres without a fence on two sides. When they get loose they are a joy to watch RUN! I cross my fingers for all the baby bunnies and all these cats that have adopted our home! Baby bunnies are FAST! Our new goal is Urban Mushing. Got the harnesses and just working with the harnesses on learning the words. That is enough! Lead on (out of heel), Hee or ghee? Haw, Haauttt for stop, slow for slow, Hike hike hike for run...LOOK AT mommy, down, sit and stay down or sat until we give another order? I used to use break for release, but, right now release isn't conducive. Awkward. When we walk them they are in training pure and simple. Lovely to imagine a languid walk about...gees. We work with them almost every day. Every night on the couch which has been amazing for communication and little detail. These boys have massive predatory instincts. So many baby bunnies right now!!! They do not get released without leashes right now. Jack actually squeezed through the bottom corner of the gate of their paddock as I was running up to hold the gate closed for hubby inside. It was A DOG TOOTHPASTE being squeezed through this incredibly tiny space...this guy is easily 110 or more pounds. Oh I wish I had had a picture. So weird, such a big dog insisting on getting through that space to RUN!! You'd have to be there to see how hilarious the scene. This marching in place was an eye opener for heel. Distraction is HUMONGOUS. Thanks, Robert.

[@marianaah88]

Hi Robert! Ive tried doing this but my dog gets bored really fast, it takes her 5 second to get excited and do walk besided me doing that, but then she gives up the treat and prefers to walk normal.. she gets distracted and stops caring really easy =S

[@AaronJaeger]

Try really yummy food like chicken or steak as you're lure/reward.

[@AaronJaeger]

Why do you sometimes use German commands?

[@Jake-dx1mf]

Figured out not to deliver the treat from same hand all the time when my pup nipped through my thumbnail. Puppy needle teeth.

[@ajaikrishnaramalingam7646]

How old is he ?

[@RobertCabralDogs]

7 months

[@ajacobish]

Our grandfather is narcissistic and he has a Doberman 6years of age.we have a lab puppy 2 months old..nowadays when we come down ..Doberman is continuously coming to play with us..and making us fall down..grandfather acts as if he is not seeing and won’t help us calling it back..it’s really disgusting..wat to do and wat might be the reason

[@traymuse3810]

What

[@bashirnurafkan50]

If I am going for an hour walk should I expect my dog to keep looking at me for an hour ??

[@RobertCabralDogs]

No. The criteria for a focused competitive heel and a loose leashed neighborhood walk are different. In general, most pet dog owners don't require the precision of a competition heel, but it is a nice skill to train.

[@mlambrechts1]

If you like it, do it. But the competition style of training your dog can be very annoying in daily life.

[@charlieforworkhilaryforfun1393]

Grooming a Aussie poo

[@emns-fn9xh]

"Aversives" are 100% not necessary...

[@2Peachcobler]

I'm a little disappointed that you didn't talk about where the dog should be focusing. Everyone does not have a large dog. I would never ask a small breed (toy dog) to look at my face that would create a strain on their neck causing damage.

[@traymuse3810]

He's using a large dog. Why would he bring up small dogs?

[@wmorenoiii]

I’ve been having trouble with one of my dogs focusing, this method has worked great with him, thank you!

[@jonandtheairedales681]

this guy just said it's impossible to train a dog to heel without corrections. that is completely false.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

So you are saying that the dog knows exactly how to do it? Perhaps you’re confusing corrections with punishment.

[@jonandtheairedales681]

a correction by popping his neck is a punishment. and, no the dog doesn't already know how to do it. you have to teach them. it can be done without any corrections whatsoever. you can shape the behavior with positive reinforcement.