Dog Training with the Heeling Stick. Advanced Obedience

Today we'll be working with the heeling stick. This is a tool that we can use to help communicate more clearly what we would like from our dogs. This is not meant to be used as punishment or any form of intimidation.

The process is simple.

1) First get your dog used to the heeling stick by petting them with it while providing treat rewards and praise.
2) Start with the pressure first and once your dog moves in the desired direction, mark and reward.
Pro Tip: We can make this process easier by using something the dog already knows to get them to quickly learn this concept. It will go like this:
First, apply pressure.
• Next, after the pressure has been applied, then you will use luring to guide your dog into the desired position. For example; we want to use the heeling stick to get the dog into the down position, so we would apply pressure first. Once the dog feels the pressure, we would then lure the dog into the down with a piece of food. This will help teach the dog the heeling stick—which occurs because whatever comes first is what you are teaching your dog. So, in this situation—it’s the heeling stick.
• Turn the pressure off.
• Mark and reward.