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Quick version (sit on left side): Reward a straight sit in heel position with your dog’s shoulder at your pant seam.

• Mark the instant the sit happens ("Yes!")
• Pay at the seam (not out in front)
• Do 2 sets of 5, then break </aside>

Why It Matters

“Heel finishes” are the clean, repeatable ways to get your dog into heel position (lined up at your side, shoulder at your pant seam). Sometimes that happens from a classic front position (sitting facing you)… and sometimes it happens from wherever your dog currently is — a step away, off to the side, or coming in from a short distance after you call them.

Either way, you’re teaching the same skill: arrive at my side and park neatly, like you’re docking a spaceship before we walk off—no yanking, no wrestling, no interpretive leash ballet.

🎯 Goal Position (What “Heel” Looks Like)

• Dog is at your side (usually left side for this exercise)
• Dog’s shoulder at your pant seam
• Dog is straight (not banana-shaped)
• Dog ends in a sit (for now)
• You reward in position (at your seam)

Before You Start

Gear + hands

• If using a leash: hold leash in your right hand (quiet hands, no steering)
• Lures typically happen with your free hand
• Treats in a pouch is ideal (so you’re not stuck doing hand gymnastics)

Training rule:

We reward the final parked heel — not the spin, not the halfway point, not the “close enough” drift.

Tiny but important detail: