Training Tool 🪞

🐾 Use a mirror to check the focus point

Even though I already mentioned it in the previous part, let’s take a closer look at one very useful training tool:

the mirror.

If you want to check whether your dog is really looking under your left armpit or instead at your face, small mistakes can easily creep in.

Instead of guessing or looking down at your dog, I recommend using a mirror.

This way, you can easily check where your dog’s gaze is actually going.

👀 How can you tell where your dog is looking?

If you do not have a mirror available, you can usually tell by the dog’s head and body position.

If the dog is really looking straight under your armpit:

✅ the head is usually held straight up
✅ the body and head position stay further back
✅ when you look straight ahead, you normally no longer see the dog clearly in your peripheral vision

If the dog is looking at your face:

➡️ he usually comes slightly further forward
➡️ he becomes visible in your field of vision
➡️ and he often tilts his head

These are usually very good indicators of where the dog is actually focusing.

📍 This is where you set the head position

If the later head position in heelwork is important to you, this first step in the basic position is especially important.

This is where you begin to define the picture you want later.

Only reward when the dog holds his head in the position you want.

➡️ Build and reward the correct head position first
➡️ Only then start adding movement

If the exact head position is not important to you, you can keep it simpler:

The dog looks at the hand, you reward, and then you move on to the next step.

💡 But if you want a very specific head position later in heelwork, you need to start paying attention to it right here.