Focused heeling is the crown jewel of modern dog training, blending extreme precision with high enthusiasm. Among the world's top trainers, Michael Ellis is widely regarded as a master of this craft. His methodology, which relies heavily on motivational systems, clear communication markers, and food/toy rewards, transforms heeling from a robotic chore into an electric, cooperative game between dog and handler.
If you are on a tight budget, Leerburg and the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers offer hundreds of free instructional clips on YouTube and their official blogs. These clips cover foundational concepts like marker training, charging the mark, building drive, and introductory heeling steps. 4. In-Person Seminars and Classes
If you want to learn Michael Ellis’s methods without risking your digital security, there are several legitimate avenues available: Leerburg’s Official Streaming Platform
As a dog owner, there's nothing quite like the thrill of navigating a challenging obstacle course with your furry friend by your side. Agility training is an excellent way to bond with your dog, improve their physical fitness, and enhance their mental agility. One crucial aspect of agility training is focused heeling, a technique that enables you to guide your dog through complex courses with precision and accuracy. In this article, we'll explore the world of focused heeling with renowned dog trainer Michael Ellis and discuss how his methods can help you and your dog achieve success in agility training. Focused Heelingwith Michael Ellis Torrent
In the Michael Ellis system, a flawless focused heel consists of several distinct moving parts that are taught separately and then chained together:
: A unique concept adapted from horse training, teaching dogs to move toward rather than away from leash pressure to maintain position. Training Progression
Kaiser lived to be twelve. To the end, he would heel perfectly across a busy parking lot, eyes locked on Alex’s face. And Alex would whisper, “I’m sorry.” Focused heeling is the crown jewel of modern
: Once stationary focus is strong, handlers introduce movement, initially using lures to keep the dog's head up and eyes locked on the target.
When Alex played it, the video was different from the polished Leerburg productions. It was shot on an old camcorder in a dusty warehouse. Michael Ellis looked younger, sharper. He wasn't teaching a class. He was speaking directly to the camera, almost whispering.
Guide your hand to your hip or chest (depending on the dog's size) to pull the dog’s nose upward and slightly inward toward your centerline. If you are on a tight budget, Leerburg
This module focuses on polishing the heeling behavior for competition or advanced obedience. It includes:
The foundation rests entirely on the handler's spatial awareness.The dog learns to anchor its shoulder to your left hip.Marking the exact moment of perfect positioning is critical.Handlers use high-pitched verbal markers or mechanical clickers.Incorrect head position means the reward is completely withheld.Consistency builds the flashy picture seen in top-tier competition. Troubleshooting Common Heeling Mistakes The dog walks too far ahead of the handler. Lagging: The dog falls behind the handler's hip pace. Crabbing: The dog's rear end swings outward diagonally. Lack of Focus: The dog looks around at the environment.
To understand the value of "Focused Heeling," one must first appreciate the man behind the method. Michael Ellis is an internationally renowned dog trainer and teacher with nearly forty years of experience in competitive dog sports and companion dog training. He began his career as a teacher of dog trainers in 1996, giving seminars and clinics to a diverse group of professionals, including competitive sports trainers, police departments, the US military, search and rescue groups, and pet dog owners. His clear, concise, and patient style made him one of the most popular coaches of trainers in the country, and he did much to popularize the use of reward-based techniques in the world of protection sports.