Let’s Walk: Training Loose-Leash, Heel Walks & “Pull to Heel/Sit”

There are many different ways to walk your dog, depending on your environment and what you want to accomplish. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to teach your dog various walking styles through engaging activities and effective communication.

Before starting any walking exercises—especially outdoors—it’s crucial to master the foundational skills listed below. Without these basics, walking can become stressful and far less enjoyable for both you and your dog. For more details, refer to “Part 2.”

• Teach your dog to associate its name with positive experiences.
• Practice the “Collar Grab” technique.
• Strengthen recall with the “Come” command.
• Introduce clear leash cues along commands while using rewards, (Recall is the first step)

There are several ways to teach a dog how to walk politely next to you; the method you choose will depend on your individual dog’s needs. I personally use a few methods: “Red light, Green Light,” “Heel Dance,” and “Pull to Heel/Sit.” The order below is the best way to get to the most advanced type of walk, “Heels.”

“Red light, Green Light” is the easiest method for puppies younger than five months, reactive dogs, or dogs with no previous training. We focus on the “Walk”- Loose leash walking. This means the dog is never tight on the leash when we walk. 

“Heel Dance” is the first step to teaching a “Heel.” It’s great for dogs who are easily distracted or need more mental stimulation. To do this, start walking and be sure to keep moving in different directions while using lots of rewards, lures, and leash cues to keep the dog in a “Heel” position.

“Pull to Heel/Sit” is my recommended method for teaching heel walks, but it does take longer to learn. With this method, we don’t move forward until the dog is in a heel position next to us – with their shoulder or head in line with our knee.

Additional Commands for Walking:

“This Way”/” Let’s Go”: This is used to redirect a distracted dog while walking. Practicing “this way” teaches your dog to keep focused on you and not assume where you are going. This is fun to practice, especially if you have a long leash or a backyard with few distractions. When the dog passes you during a walk or if it’s about to get to the end of the Leash, make an abrupt u-turn and say, “This way” as the dog makes eye contact with you, place a piece of food on the ground next to you and keep walking, allowing the dog to pick up the food.

“Sit/Come/Yes”: Use this command combination while off-leash, on a walk, or if something startles them. Practice this when your dog is on a leash first. Say, “Sit,” hold still for a few moments, keep eye contact, say “Yes,” and reward. Slowly increase the time that you give a reward after eye contact before trying this around a new stimulus. 

Ready to dive into advanced walking styles? Let’s get started!