Module 3: Heel Position Fundamentals
Heel position is the foundation of every successful rally team. Nearly every Rally station begins, ends, or transitions through heel position. Rather than teaching your dog simply loose lead walking, this module focuses on creating a dog that understands heel position criteria, enjoys being there, and can maintain it through movement, turns, pace changes, and distractions.
Lesson 1: Why Heel Position Matters
Many people think heel position means ”walk beside me”. In reality, heel position is a defined location relative to your body, and maintaining that position as you move. The dog should be at the handler’s left side straight in line with the direction the handler is facing. The area from the dog’s head to shoulder is to be in line with the handler’s left hip.
Characteristics of Good Heel Position
Your dog should:
Remain on your left side.
Keep their shoulder approximately even with your left leg.
Stay close without crowding or interfering. A judge can dock points every time your dog “bumps” you.
Trainer Tip
Think of heel position as a destination, not a command. Your dog should understand where the position is before you ask them to move into it.
Reflection
When your dog walks beside you, do they truly understand heel position, or are they simply following the food in your hand?
Homework
Observe your dog’s natural waling position during three short walks.
Write down:
Do they forge?
Do they lag?
Do they crowd?
Do they drift away?
Lesson 2: Finding Heel Position
Instead of placing your dog into position, we’ll teach them to discover it. Shaping creates a dog that actively chooses heel position rather than waiting to be guided there.
Training Exercise
Charger your marker:
Say “Yes!”
Deliver a treat.
Repeat several more times!
Do not use any commands or cues, just build the association.
Trainer Tip
The marker should happen before your deliver the treat.
Reflection
Was your timing and inflection consistent?
Homework
Complete three sessions of charging your marker.
Lesson 3: Choosing Reinforcers
Not every reward has the same value to your dog. For some dogs, kibble is enough, while others are motivated by special treats or toys. Learning what motivates your dog allows you to create enthusiastic training sessions.
Training Exercise
Charger your marker:
Say “Yes!”
Deliver a treat.
Repeat several more times!
Do not use any commands or cues, just build the association.
Trainer Tip
The marker should happen before your deliver the treat.
Reflection
Was your timing and inflection consistent?
Homework
Complete three sessions of charging your marker.
Lesson 4: Reward Placement
Not every reward has the same value to your dog. For some dogs, kibble is enough, while others are motivated by special treats or toys. Learning what motivates your dog allows you to create enthusiastic training sessions.
Training Exercise
Charger your marker:
Say “Yes!”
Deliver a treat.
Repeat several more times!
Do not use any commands or cues, just build the association.
Trainer Tip
The marker should happen before your deliver the treat.
Reflection
Was your timing and inflection consistent?
Homework
Complete three sessions of charging your marker.
Lesson 5: Building Engagement
Not every reward has the same value to your dog. For some dogs, kibble is enough, while others are motivated by special treats or toys. Learning what motivates your dog allows you to create enthusiastic training sessions.
Training Exercise
Charger your marker:
Say “Yes!”
Deliver a treat.
Repeat several more times!
Do not use any commands or cues, just build the association.
Trainer Tip
The marker should happen before your deliver the treat.
Reflection
Was your timing and inflection consistent?
Homework
Complete three sessions of charging your marker.
Lesson 6: Teaching Eye Contact
Not every reward has the same value to your dog. For some dogs, kibble is enough, while others are motivated by special treats or toys. Learning what motivates your dog allows you to create enthusiastic training sessions.
Training Exercise
Mark and reward every voluntary glance toward you.
Gradually increase duration before rewarding.
Trainer Tip
The marker should happen before your deliver the treat.
Reflection
Was your timing and inflection consistent?
Homework
Achieve five seconds of sustained attention.
Lesson 7: Hand Targeting
Hand targeting teaches your dog to confidently move toward your hand. This skill is useful for position changes, fronts, finishes, and confidence building.
Training Exercise
Present your palm.
Mark the instant your dog’s nose touches your hand.
Reward immediately.
Homework
Build up to ten confident hand targets in a row.
Lesson 8: Building Focus Around Distractions
Dogs don’t automatically generalize behaviors. A perfect sit in your kitchen will often disappear at the park. We’ll gradually increase distractions while maintaining confidence.
Training Exercise
Move to a slightly different environment with few distractions.
Practice a skill or set of skills your dog is well versed in.
Gradually increase distractions throughout the next few sessions.
If your dog is unable to focus in a situation, take a step and distractions much more slowly.
Trainer Tip
Change only one variable at a time.
Distance.
Duration.
Distraction.
Homework
Train in three new environments.
Lesson 9: Structuring Successful Training Sessions
Great training sessions are intentional and structure. Think like an athlete: Warm Up, Practice Skills, Add New Skill, Cool Down. Most of your early training sessions should last no longer than ten minutes. Always end while your dog still wants more!
Every Sessions Starts with a Goal
Ask yourself:
What skill am I teaching?
How do I define success with this skill?
How will I know when it is time to stop?
Avoid teaching multiple new concepts in a single lesson. Your dog will learn faster if you focus on one objective at a time.
Examples of Good Training Goals
The marker should happen before your deliver the treat.
The Five-Part Training Session
Warm up
Review Previously Learned Skill(s)
Introduce One New Skills
End with a Win
Record Your Progress
Trainer Tip
Always end with your dog wanting more. The best training sessions end while your dog is still excited and engaged. That excitement will carry over into future sessions!
Homework
Complete three structured training sessions this week.
For each session:
Write down your goal before you begin
Record the exercises you practiced.
Note how many repetitions were successful.
Identify one thing that improved.
Identify one are to work on next time.
Lesson 10: Module Review and Homework
Dogs don’t automatically generalize behaviors. A perfect sit in your kitchen will often disappear at the park. We’ll gradually increase distractions while maintaining confidence.
Before Moving On
Complete the following:
Charge your marker.
Identify your dog’s reward hierarchy.
Play engagement games.
Build five seconds of eye contact.
Introduce hand targeting.
Train in three different locations.
Complete three structured training sessions.
Record one training sessions for self-review.
Reflection
What motivates your dog the most?
Which exercise came most naturally?
Which skills need more practice before moving on?
Looking ahead
In Module 3, we will begin teaching one of the most important skills in Rally: Heel Position. Everything you’ve built in this module will make that process easier, cleaner, and more enjoyable.