Looking to see how everyone else does this

[Msmart]

When out on a nice walk my dog walks on my left (no reason in particular just away from traffic) and she walks very well. The question I have is when do you correct your dog for going to far ahead. Normally if her hind legs are even with my legs I will correct her back but I was wondering what everyone else does. Thank you.

[onyx'girl]

When out on a nice walk, I don't expect formal heeling. It isn't fair. When doing obedience heeling, the dogs shoulder should be even with your body, but that comes with training and no corrections until the dog understands . Are you in an obedience class?

Maybe some of the free video clips from Michael Ellis will have some suggestions for you? Leerburg On Demand | Michael Ellis Videos
This may help too:
http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/leash-walking/

Loose Leash, forging forward after treats

[JakodaCD OA]

what Jane ^^ said

[doggiedad]

it depends on where we're walking if
my dog has to heel. my dog is rarely
on a leash. when he heels his head is beside
my knee. he heels on either side with or without a leash.
my dog also knows "wait". if he gets out of position
i say "wait" or "heel" and he repositions himself or i catch
up with him and we continue to walk. when i was teaching
my dog to heel there was a slight correction. when my dog walked ahead
of me i would stop and say "heel" and my dog would walk back
to me, pass me on the right, walk behind me and sit on my left side.
sometimes when my dog got out of position i would say "heel"
and then do a circle or a serpentine and continue to walk.

[Msmart]

No my dog and I haven't done any formal obedience class. I was going to but than money issues came up and decided I would just take it upon my self. Even in hind site I am very pleased with how she has turned out. As stated she walks very well on walks never pulls or tries to lead me. When should I do a formal heel as opposed to leisure walk?

[doggiedad]

with the help of the forum, books, videos, talking
with people you can train your dog yourself.
a lot of knowing how to train is common sense.
you may be a natural at training. teach your
dog to heel. maybe teach your dog to heel
on either side with or without a leash. once
your dog knows how to heel you can use when
necessary or use it to keep your dog near you.

Originally Posted by Msmart

No my dog and I haven't done any formal obedience class. I was going to but than money issues came up and decided I would just take it upon my self. Even in hind site I am very pleased with how she has turned out. As stated she walks very well on walks never pulls or tries to lead me.

>>>>When should I do a formal heel as opposed to leisure walk?<<<<<

[vicky2200]

It doesn't bother me if Ditto is up ahead as long as she is not pulling. She knows what heel means and I can control her if need be, so I dont feel the need to have her at my side at all times. I dont see a problem with those who walk their dogs at their side all the time, but its just not what I like to do personally.

[Msmart]

Thanks everyone for there reponses. Makes me feel a lot better to here everyone's opinion. Like I said she never wanders far but was only unsure if I should correct her but now I know.

[Emoore]

You don't ever "need" a formal heel for a pet dog. I'm perfectly happy with my dogs walking beside me and not pulling on the leash. If they it the end of the leash and pull, I correct.

[RocketDog]

I'm with the rest. As long as I can't feel my pup on the leash, I'm fine. In fact, because of the visibility of some roads, I make him change sides all the time, and sometimes he has to walk infront of me, because there's no shoulder.