Will teaching my dog to heel help give him better manners outside?

Question

He gets excited about everything, like if we see a stranger he wants to jump all over them. I want him to sit politely. Anyway I've never taught him to heel, he's a dachshund. Should I teach him and would it help him be better behaved outside? Also if I do teach him to heel would I have to get rid of his retractable leash? I like using it at the park so he can run around and sniff everything he wants because he loves doing that, I dont want to make him be right by my side all the time.

Answer 1

You should definitely teach him to heel.

you can hire a private trainer, check out books that teach you how to train, or use pet help websites.  Pet Smart also offers classes.

Heeling gives you better control and communication with your dog and you will not have to worry about him jumping on people, running around like crazy, or not listening to you.

Dogs that have more rules are happier animals. By nature all dogs are pack animals because they are relatives of wolves.  You are the alpha leader (or head chief) of your dog's pack.  He will respect you and listen to you a lot better, and be a happier all around dog if you teach him to heel, sit, stay...etc.

Once he learns to heel, you can use your retractable leash.  Only once he is under control and you are sure he will listen to your commands and respects you as pack leader, should he be allowed to run around....he will be confused otherwise.

First teach him to heel, second make sure he completely understands and listens to your commands, and then you can teach him off leash commands so he can run around safely on a retractable leash.

You definitely don't have to give it up or give your dog's freedom up.

Training is a necessary tool for a happy owner and dog.

Answer 2

Yes, it would be best to teach him to heel. The thing is when you teach you're dog to heel and when you want him to let him go around and play and smell things say "okay!" and let him go. Teaching him to heel doesn't mean he has to be by you're side all the time. Teaching him to heel means when he's on the leash he must behave and stay by yourside instead of jumping on people when YOU TELL HIM TO. At first my dog was very naughty about going on walks, she would pull where ever we go untill i tought him to heel! Pinch colars help ALOT. :)

here is a site where it teaches you how to heel your dog like a proffesional dog trainer.

http://www.dog-obedience-training-review...

oh and it will help if everytime you stop you tell you're dog to sit. :) (if he knows how to sit.)

Hope this helps!

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for the additional details:

tell him "No!" when he doesn't listen and push his butt down on the floor. If you want you're dog to stop jumping on people when he sees them watch this from youtube. It will teach your dog to sit to get attention from other people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlFqJkbpD...

And this is a youtube video on how to heel your dog if the other site wasn't good enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jms9dhoda...

Answer 3

yes teach him how to sit and listen and he will behave