.

CONTENTS

Now 16 Articles!

Last updated 20-Jul-09

Introduction - Collie
Breeding Your Collie
Collie Boredom When Home Alone
Collie Destructive Chewing
Collie Eating Poop
Collie Fear Biting
Collie Joint Pain
Collie Massage
Common Collie House Training Problems
Finding Collies for Sale
House Training Tips for a New Collie Puppy
How to Clean Your Carpet When Your Collie Pees On It
How to Train your Collie to Heel off the Leash
Paper Training Your Collie Puppy
Recognizing, preventing, and handling Collie aggression
Treating Collie Arthritis Through Regular Dog Massage

Return to Index

Canine Cancer Secrets
Canine Cancer Secrets
click image for
imore information

How to Train
Your Collie
to Heel off the Leash

Share this page 275+ more...

Important: When you take the leash off, remember the following:

Your Collie should not run off, with you chasing vainly behind, yelling for your Collie to come back. Yes, if you want Fido to free heel, you must have your Collie trained to heel on the leash first.

This is how you need to start:

  • Take your Collie off its leash.
  • Walk in a straight line. Angling into your Collie will cause her to heel wide.
  • Walk briskly! Don't walk at the pace of your Collie.

Don't wave your hands about - hold your left hand close to your body!

Make sure you always give the first command in a happy tone of voice. Your Collie needs to know that you are happy. Don't try to teach your Collie anything if you are in a bad mood.

Change your voice to a commanding tone or call the name of your Collie sharply if they don't keep up to your walking pace or if they amble away.

After the second command, gently pat your side and give praise (give praise at every opportunity).

If forging (your Collie tries to get ahead of you) is your problem, or if your Collie attempts to dart off, you must stand still! Signal back with your left hand and repeat the heel command forcefully and then pat your side coaxingly.

Remember, training your Collie is not unlike training your child to behave in a way society expects. Give those rules and boundaries. Be firm about what is right and what is not. Praise whenever you have an opportunity. That is, whenever your Collie performs as asked.

When your Collie is doing a good job of learning, give it a commendation it deserves! Praise them when they are learning and performing well.

If the Collie you are training is large, make sure you carry the leash folded twice, with the snap end in your right hand. If the Collie fails to pay attention, call her name loudly or reach out and "spank" her playfully on the hindquarters with the end of the leash. You should then coax your Collie close by patting your side. Never hit hard or in such a way that you cause pain. Just the light spank is all that's needed.

If all attempts to keep your Collie at heel position fail, it's time to put the leash back on, give it one good jerk to bring the Collie in close, and try again. The change in voice, followed by flattery with the occasional use of the leash, should eventually teach your Collie to stay at your side at all times. Especially if you make the heeling fun!

Ultimate
House Training Guide

Ultimate House Training Guide
click image for
immediate download

Clicker Training
Click image for information on how to use a clicker to train your Collie