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How to Teach a Dog to Heel

By Bill Gibson, Kennel Master at Mossy Oak GameKeeper Kennels

Training a dog to heel is not a hard thing to do. It just takes repetition and consistency. Follow these steps daily to train your dog to heel.

Put a slip lead on the dog and put the dog between you and a wall or fence, so the dog cannot move left or right. You want the dog to follow along beside you by eliminating space to pull away.

Start walking and lead with the leg closest to the dog. That motion along with the command “heel” signals the dog to move forward. Tug slightly on the lead to get the dog’s attention and repeat the heel command as necessary. Don’t let the dog get ahead or lag behind.

The next step in training a dog to heel is to follow the above steps but without the barrier on the other side of the dog. With consistency and daily practice, your dog will be heeling in no time.

If you’re looking for a good hunting dog, know the signs to look for when picking out a puppy to make a good hunting companion.

At Mossy Oak, our four-legged friends work, play and live outdoors with us. One of the most important decisions we will ever make is what and when to feed our hunting dogs. Nature's Menu provides natural wholesome energy and complete nutrition that active dogs need with a flavor that they absolutely love. Do your best friend a favor and pick up a bag at your local Dollar General, they'll let you know just how good it is.

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