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THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMAND: HERE
“Here” is the most important command your dog will ever learn. It is an escape from almost any
trouble. “Here” tells your dog to come to you immediately and without deviation. This command is
very easy for your dog to learn if you will speak its language. Most dogs will make a beeline to any
person who kneels down and opens up their arms. In this position you are using postural language
to welcome your dog. While you are kneeling and your dog is running to you, add the verbal
command “Here.” Shower your dog with positive verbal rewards while stroking its shoulder.
Let’s take a second again and discuss how much positive reward to give a dog when it follows
your commands. Do you remember how your dog communicates to you that it understands and
accepts your actions? When your dog swallows, it says, “I understand.” So, back off the positive
rewards when your dog says it understands and accepts your thank you by swallowing. Continually
stroking your dog’s shoulder and praising it will eventually lessen the sincerity of your reward and
that could be a huge mistake. Training your dog to come to you with the “Here” command is done
along with the postural position of kneeling and opening up your arms.
The leash (or lead) should be used in training your dog on the command “Here” as soon as it is
comfortable with the leash. Give the command “Here” and apply a slight tug on the leash. Be sure
to release the leash pressure the instant the dog starts coming toward you. Many people try to
maintain leash pressure until the dog is at their side. While this works, it can be too much pressure
and your dog does not get the reward of turning the pressure off while it is coming to you. If your
dog hesitates or fails to come directly to you, give another tug with the lead and repeat “Here.”
When your dog arrives at your side, stroke its shoulder until it gives you a swallow response. Your
dog has learned what you want and now it is time to condition the response with repetition.
A POSITIONAL COMMAND: HEEL
“Heel” is a positional command that instructs your dog to assume a position beside your leg
whether you are walking, standing, running, or riding a horse. People seek professional help in
teaching their dog to heel properly more than for any other command. These folks always explain
that their puppy is a great dog but it will not walk on its leash. This means the dog feels like it is
alpha and should lead its owner where it pleases. Every dog will learn the proper heel position on
its first day of training with proper leash usage. Place the leash in its proper position behind your
dog’s ears and begin walking forward. If your dog attempts to lead you by moving ahead, simply
change direction. The leash will tighten around its neck and it will follow your new direction. It is
imperative that no leash pressure be present when your dog’s head is beside your knee. It will learn
this position is safe and causes no discomfort through repetition. Add the verbal command “Heel”
after the dog assumes the correct position and repeat “Heel” each time its head is beside your knee.
We have discussed how to correct your dog if it attempts to lead you, but what should you do if it
tries to lag behind or flop around like a fish instead of following your lead? Keep moving forward
and allow the leash to do its job. The important point is for you not to stop moving. If you stop
walking to check on your dog or coax it forward, the leash will relax and its pressure will stop.
Your dog must learn that the only way the pressure around its neck will disappear is by assuming
the correct “Heel” position. With repetition, this position will become a comfort zone.
