How to Teach Competition Focused Heel to Your Dog

Competition style focused heel is very different than loose leash walking. Don't make the mistake and confuse the two. You will only use competition style focused heeling when you are competing or showing off to your friends.
Check my online dog training lessons at:
robertcabral.com
This short lesson is part of the full 30 minute lesson on my site. This lesson will break down the basics of the focused heel for you. You can use this in IPO, IGP, Schutzhund as well as AKC Obedience. Like I said this is the basics of the lesson. There are several other videos here on my channel that will guide you along the way.
#competitionheeling #dogobedience #focusedheel

[@RobertCabralDogs]

If you' like to see the full version of this video as well as tons of other dog training lessons, check out my website: robertcabral.com

[@truefurey]

Hey Robert, is it possible to do this type of focused training with a great dane?

[@frantisek6674]

Well explained! Might I know which cameras you use for making videos? I have noticed one with a triped in your video. Regards

[@Ryanpeech]

Thank you thank you thank you. Been walking around yelling heel looking like a fool

[@Audemarrrr_]

LMFAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAOAAOOA

[@Audemarrrr_]

been there

[@4umrvenkat]

Been der bro ❤️

[@WinstonCorneilius]

Lmao!!! I feel your pain 😂

[@sayantanmukherjee8074]

We've been there. I used to do that with my pup before becoming a handler.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@littleninjai222]

Love watching the full video in your Membership section. Been working on this since my boy was 5 months when I got him. He can be dog reactive and it's been a process. Today we walked by a dog and he offered me a focused heel without me asking! Love all your training videos. Thank you!

[@gunner1357]

I prefer it when you do practical lessons with the dogs instead of the podcats which are still good though....

[@dogawalk_adventures]

These are great videos. Balanced dog training is really the gold standard.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Glad you think so!

[@corinthianmcintyre5179]

Thank you!! The leg move is genius!

[@LauraHopkinsCDL]

Really enjoyed the full version on the Members Site. Thank you Robert and Janet : )

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

Excellent info. You're doing the lords work with these pups. Thanks for your time and dedication.

[@johnmaholick4991]

Explained very well, thx.

[@workinghuntingguarddogsfam816]

Thank you for the tutorial.

[@smary11]

Thank you very well explained

[@scottparker3323]

I like the use of a older dog. excellent video☆☆☆☆☆☆

[@deetee5156]

Great video. I will subscribe to your online videos when I get my dog. Right now I am gathering all my information of how to train a dog and deciding what I want to train. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@akelauntouchable7848]

Very helpful Video! Thanks

[@charlottesokol7074]

Thank you!!

[@Kate98755]

I so love your picture, half you half the dog, it looks awesome! You are my favorite trainer, you explain so well…

[@kingDB9955]

Super video next video waiting

[@germanshepherddogtrainingc5459]

Sir I followed your obedience training practice now my dog doing good obedience

[@GallowsPole805]

Robert, Could you post a video of a work/play session where you are interacting and engaging with all 3 of your dogs at the same time? Maybe show a routine or two? Thank You.

[@teresalove9413]

Great video

[@mutney58]

So nice.

[@raniyuna2930]

I will practice better...❤🙏🏻👌🏻🦋 Thank you for this video. I see some mistakes on my practice now!😊

[@sk9solutions935]

Great video!

[@bjbumblebee5324]

Great demonstration. Sherman my gsd approves

[@watchmoivies123]

I love it do you do AKC competition obedience? If so any advice on articles

[@helpspb]

Great video. I wonder how to you move on from this stage, though? How and when do you fade the hand with the lure?

[@brandonpartee8277]

Great stuff. Do you use leash corrections during the focus heel?

[@kuriouskate]

Thank you for this video. I was trying to figure out how to teach my dog a prance heel as well if you could go in depth of how to make it more of a orange I’d love that

[@gharnilicious1242]

Awesome vid. Please can you show us how to teach your dog so specifically walk on your left side. My dog is heavy and it is hard to control her movement. She’s always banging into my legs and crisscrossing. Thank you 🙏

[@lorrainejohnsoncoleman1670]

Awesome

[@rozanahwirt1311]

The cheese is a great idea. Thank you.

[@barbarawarren9443]

❤ Beautiful. Wow!

[@agrier7356]

Wow so cool just from this short video I gathered so much valuable info. Would have never through of cheese. Probably a more desirable treat that kibble. Will be watching it back a couple times

[@Moominteapot]

Small dog problems 😭😭

[@csberry95]

Could you do a video on commanding your dog to stand on your left, right and between your legs ?

[@Justforwatching364]

Hello robert !!

[@suemcfarlane4199]

I always found walking faster helped with a good hee in the ring if it tires you out or you run out of room in the ring walking fast but taking shorter strides helps if you put in lots of changes of direction and you dog gets worried about being left behind pays more attention it’s something best done in training at your local club th because you are not supposed to train your dog in the ring and certainly can’t correct them physically or verbally

[@amberblyledge7859]

I have a service dog in training who I found out does better off leash than on. This means I can train other tasks that require off leash. Somehow, despite me completely forgetting to train it for almost a year, then accidentally training something almost identical, he has a really good heel. I want to prefect it so he's reliable.

[@dingo2083]

I would shovel 2 Mack truck loads of Goofy's poop bags just to get a chance to be mentored by Robert. You're a legend and I'm sure the reason alot of us at home have some well behaved pooches.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

thank you for that! no need to shovel poop.. just stay tuned!

[@evasraley2109]

Make want a German Shepherd. Ugh Love the breed but I know I am not able to handle it. But we did have one when I was a kid he was awesome. Best dog, beautiful, smart and very protective of us.

[@aymankarroum4032]

If you’re worried about handling it, go for an older more mature GSD. I recently got a 8 week old GSD, it’s really not that bad if you’re ready for the work. They’re also very loving and smart dogs.

[@magali.bazzano]

You could adopt an older GSD. I adopted a 5-year-old female GSD four months ago. Completely amazed by how fast she learns and how freaking intelligent she is! My first GSD. Love her so much!

[@flipnshifty]

Oh i just marked the behavior when he looks at me while heeling

[@bryonyjaynebell8945]

This is amazing i understand the principle but how does this work with smaller breeds? my french bulldog for example

[@jeenabordoloideka9034]

Hey Robert, I love how you train dogs and it has helped me a lot to train my dogs. My dog is willing to listen to me when I say “sit” or “down” but does it very slowly. Also, she listens to me only when I have treats. I have tried to use toys instead of treats but she dosen’t seem to like the toys. Any ideas how to speed up her response to my commands and get her to like toys. Thanks in advance

[@erised-san]

You have to be more enganging

[@ChristaArts]

Would you know what the judges are looking for? If I was the judge, if you’re having fun with your dog, everyone gets a 💯%😂!

[@foxyl8e848]

Hi I have a question for you & noticed others asking same, my dog is going really well on this but with a lot smaller dog I'm wondering if I should be bent over or standing straight as my arm doesn't reach her face! I have dangled treats on things in front of her but wondering if there is a better way? Your insight would be appreciated thanks.

[@DougHinVA]

Explain please just what original use of 'At Heel' was for hunters in the field...

[@davidk1046]

That's a great method to train large dogs, but what do you do with small to medium dogs - you can't walk around stooped over to make sure the dog's head reaching your hand? I have a Staffy pup whose head only comes up to my knee

[@Thedevbtc9900]

Are u using saramonik blink 500 wireless ?

[@kamilguchowski2793]

Do some training with the small breed if you can

[@rouxchat6033]

@@cyborg8623 I've found a target stick ingeniously effective with my short-legged Peke. 💞🐶😽😻💞

[@nikolaart2651]

What is best type of caller for puppy

[@keithrichardson5003]

I have a Jack Russell terrier. Great on the leash and heels well. How to you get a dog this small to nibble, awfully hard for me to get that low?

[@kaylalipiecartistry4606]

Peanut butter on a long wooden spoon

[@CesarEnoki]

Hey Robert, really good videos. I’ve got an 8 months old German Shepherd. How long it is a good time to practice daily?

[@okal2468]

It’s been nine months I hope you and your gsd is doing good. 15 minutes is enough time for the dog to keep a healthy interest in training. Once you see your dog go uninterested try to leave on a good note and end it there. You do more harm doing too much training, happy training 😊

[@danielwharrison]

This will be interesting to try with my Corgi. I'm guessing it shouldn't be any different with having to bend over for the lure. My back is already hurting thinking about it

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Put the treat at the end of a chop stick

[@FlackCulli]

I have a question I know the video is old but can you train a focused heel without leg rubbing/grinding because I'm slew footed and don't want to step on my pup

[@fainadobrenko6483]

How do I apply this training to a Jack Russel/Chihuahua who's only about a foot high? I have to bend or squat to reach his head.

[@germanshepherddogtrainingc5459]

Sir how to select good guarding dog breed which breed is best for me sir

[@seansvensson4400]

i would like to have a video how to keep eyecontact when doing heel, i have been training alot of heel and trying to make my dog to look at me. he keeps it for cople of seconds but than he look away. i probalby wait to long for the reward. tried both toys and food

[@khadorkhadour7352]

Any reason why heel is taught on the left

[@raneehaywood9988]

Do you ever work with smaller dogs like French Bulldogs?

[@the1thingaboutmusic]

Thank you for the content. Curious what’s the typical training structure for most dogs for basic obedience on leash. How many weeks, is the dog being trained daily, what’s the duration of training sessions. I want to make sure I do right by the new dog I adopted. Unfortunately I don’t have the funds to send him to a professional trainer at the moment. However I’m in the fitness industry so I understand how to make a program for humans to get said result… just not dogs. Thanks and take care

[@okal2468]

This is late so your dog is probably well matures and I hope he/she has a nice startup. 15 minutes everyday. Uninterested before the 15 mark end on a good note. Overtraining is a horrible thing that makes training boring. If your dog still wants to train and 15 minutes is well over do still good to end it around there. Keeping your dog excited and wanting more creates drive for training.

[@jeryhope2401]

How to teach them to bring things

[@ismaaiylflowers5955]

My dog heels well but I can't get him into the initial position without treats...once we walk he is amazing...but how do I get him in position without a treat or lure

[@tehKettyBear]

How do I do this with my small dog who's super short? I have to bend over when treating and it messes up my posture and I can't walk naturally. My dog ends up jumping up to get fed. It's really distracting.

[@suemcfarlane4199]

I can always tell a dog that has been trained with food they all heel in the same way really closet hey also all seem to wrap their head around their handlers leg I alway stepped off with my right foot for recalls and stays just as a extra cue to my dog and it kind of warns them that a wait or stay is coming

[@MG-oj6im]

What about for a really short small dog. My arm is no where close to his mouth.

[@vinieth7992]

Sir my dog do command correctly using treats but without treats My dog do some mistake

[@jennifervarela2423]

I’m having trouble lowering, my dog she’s so distracted even with food any advice ?

[@leanneanderson4821]

Hi Rob! Is there a reason that the heel is taught on the left? Could you start on the right and train for the left as well? Thanks!

[@paigethefarrier6243]

You have to heel them on the left for completion unless you’re disabled. I have a visual impairment in my left eye and am blind so I’m allowed to work dogs on the right :)

[@slate2720]

Late, but you can teach them both separately, left commanded as "heel" and right typically commanded as "side".

[@SherylMaiorano]

How do you handle the food for a dog that bites at your hand, attempting to get all of it?

[@thelighthouse1604]

Teach your dog to take treats gently first.

[@markverbahala6900]

Hi there rob! Can i still teach my dog a perfect conpetiton heel like that even if he is 2yrs old mal?

[@RobertCabralDogs]

should be able to!

[@markverbahala6900]

@@RobertCabralDogs thanks rob and all the best!

[@marvona3531]

✳️👍✳️👍✳️👍

[@fireninja1990]

My cocker does a really good heel, will look at me when doing the excersize. But there are times where there is something way more interesting in the grass and i cannot lift his head up and continue the heel excersize. Anyone tips? (Ps sorry for spelling and grammar mistakes)

[@nasjajohnson2630]

Break him from that heel and get some barking going on

[@sabinevolkmer97]

My german shepherd is Not Food motivated at all. Any Suggestions?

[@magali.bazzano]

My dog either! I've begun to train when I feed! Instead of placing her food in a bowl, I use that food to train her. She, in a way, works for the food but it's fun!

[@saraayer6607]

What if your dog is not food motivated at all.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Try a toy

[@Dee0426]

Wow I’m early

[@joycemenges4769]

I’m left handed. It’s much more comfortable for me to have my dog on the right. Is this problematic or wrong?

[@RobertCabralDogs]

not wrong or right, just customary to have dogs on our left... irregardless if your right or left handed...

[@joycemenges4769]

Robert Cabral ok. If we were in a class with you would you ask me to put my dog on the other side??

[@hargoe]

Should lead the dog to left turn.

[@4me2know4]

What if your dog is more toy and prey driven and good doesn't hold much value at all?

[@Taterluvsdro]

Then use a toy.

[@gooddogtrainingservices5351]

Treat pouch is way easier than pocket.

[@hh-kq7iq]

חקי חיון , אלוהים אינו מרשה וגם מעניש את כל מי שמאלף בעלי חיים.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

never heard of that. check your bible!

[@funkyjunky6574]

Why do trainers prefer female dogs

[@RobertCabralDogs]

I didn’t know they do.

[@mikelavergne750]

My dog is obsessed with other dogs. Not what sure to do stop this behavior. Not mean, just obsessed.

[@dawnc1727]

I have the same issue. Mine LOVES other dogs and loses it when we are on the street

[@pumpgod940]

My 3yo lab has the position on the side since I got him but his head goes down as soon as I take the first step. They told me to be patient but it's been almost 2 years of luring with food near my hip and he does not seem to get he needs to look at me. Is it just something he physically can't do or is there some kind of trick I don't know about?