Our Toolbox 🧰 Learn About Sponsorships

Over the last 3 weeks, you’ve learned 3 skills required for heeling.

Two-way attention, one-way attention, and finding the leg.

It’s time to combine them for the final step: formal heeling.👇️ 

In partnership with Ivan Balabanov

Weekly Bite

If combining these skills feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Aki and I are working on adding movement to one-way attention.

Remember, Ivan didn’t win 2 IPO3 championships overnight.

Here’s his proven method.

Part 4: How To Teach Formal Heeling

1. Say “Heel”: When your dog finds your left leg, encourage them to continue with “Good”.

2. Say “Watch”: When they establish one-way attention after heeling a few steps, release with “Yes” without making eye contact and a reward. If not, say “No” and 🔁. Once fluent, replace “Yes” with “Good”.

3. Start Walking: Slowly lead with your left leg. After a few successful steps, encourage with “Good”, and then release with “Yes”. If not, say “No” and 🔁. Once they move forwards, backwards, and sideways with speed, replace “Yes” with “Good”.

4. Stop Walking: Plant your right foot and bring your feet together. When they stop and sit, release with “Yes”. If they don’t sit automatically, say “Sit” and 🔁. Next, stop using your left leg in front, behind, or at an angle from your right foot. When they stop and sit, release with “Yes”. If not, say “No” and 🔁. If they self-correct, encourage with “Good” and 🔁.

5. Add Turns: Establish two-way attention, stop walking, and slowly turn left 90°. When they pivot with you into a sit, release with “Yes”. 🔁 until fluent. Next, add a 2nd left turn and 🔁 until fluent. Lastly, use one-way attention, omit stopping before any turns, and increase your speed. You can also teach 180° turns and right turns the same way.

The Result

Your dog will passively heel while maintaining one-way attention with the ability to start, stop, and turn!

The beauty of Ivan’s method is that it builds engagement, hind end awareness and provides enrichment. It’s also much easier to maintain in the long-run since you won’t need to lure them into position with your hands.

Want to teach heeling faster? Watch Ivan’s heeling videos and let my guides do the note-taking for you.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Weekly Treats

Sam’s Picks

• Missed Part 1? Here’s my guide to two-way attention. (LINK)

• Missed Part 2? Here’s my guide to one-way attention. (LINK)

• Missed Part 3? Here’s my guide to finding the leg. (LINK)

• Can you foster a Malinois puppy? There’s 9 males from 8-16 weeks old in need of fosters. (LINK)

• Community announcement: Cassie’s starting a new’s dog training business. (LINK)

Tail End Trivia

Suggestion Box