Course Details
Many dogs lack precise heeling because they have no foundation – they do not understand how to use their bodies with accuracy, and their trainers don’t know how to fix heeling mistakes when they occur. This class will give you specific tools that you can use to develop your heeling foundation, without using a leash, special collar, or any compulsive techniques. We will use placement of food reward, platforms and discs, "pocket hand," and activities that teach you and your dog exactly where heel position is located. Static position (as opposed to movement) will be the primary focus; however, advanced teams will be taken as far as they can go over the six weeks of class, which could include formal heeling patterns with a high level of accuracy.
All of the techniques and skills will be provided in the first week of class, so you can select the level of challenge that your dog is ready for while skipping over skills that your team already possesses. In other words, you won't be "held back" if you have some skills. Conversely, absolute beginners are welcome since we'll start at the absolute beginning!
This class will cover the details of precision rather than the “game” aspect of heeling. Because of this focus, the class can be taken even if you have no access to training grounds outside of your own home.
Please read the prerequisite and equipment tab before registering! and to get a sense of the class, a sample lecture is available - see the Sample Lecture tab above!
Is this course right for you? This class offers extensive lectures, problem solving and a specific set of exercises and criteria, to inform the handler when they will want to consider the next step. Each step is heavily illustrated with videos - the videos do not require the ability to hear them in order to illustrate the lectures effectively. This class will work best for students who prefer a structured route with discrete steps to follow. The heeling method presented her is largely a lure based method. The physical capacity to hold a small treat in one's thumb/forefinger combination is critical to encouraging the dog to take the correct position. This method also requires that the handler can comfortably hold their hand above their dog's head when the dog is stretching "up" into heel position - handlers of smaller dogs will need to be able to bend to their dog's nose level (when the head is elevated).
Check out this short informational trailer:
Instructor: Denise FenziDenise Fenzi (she/her) has competed in a wide range of dog sports – titling dogs in obedience (AKC and UKC), tracking (AKC and schutzhund), schutzhund (USA), mondioring (MRSA), herding (AKC), conformation (AKC), and agility (AKC). She is best known for her flashy and precise ... (Click here for full bio and to view Denise's upcoming courses)
