**For those asking How I teach my focus heel, Birdie 3 months old!**

There are a few things that will certainly speed up the process. First thing is communication, making sure we are using the proper markers consistently;

Yes = reward marker / task completed 

Good = duration marker / continue doing what youre doing

No/ nope = positive punishment / not what im looking for

Food drive:  
The next biggest thing is to find your dogs motivation, ideally food as its easier to lure and reward quickly. Since day 1 birdie has earned her food thru tricks and commands. This not only helps us build a bond, stimulate her mind, but also increases her food drive.

The look command:   
A pre curser to teaching heel quickly is a “look” command. I do this by bringing food from her nose right up ti my eyes. Once she makes eye contact I mark yes and reward. Continue this over the next few days but add duration along with moving your finger away from your eye to make things more challenging.

Free shaping heel:  
Once “look” is happening consistently, I like to go for a walk, usually in a calm wooded area with as little distractions as possible. Ask nothing of your dog, no look command, no heel command, just walk. Youre going to be waiting for the moment your dog looks up towards you, then mark yes and reward. Keep walking and try and get as much engagement as possible. This is called free shaping heel. At this point dont worry if they are in the correct position just focus on eye contact while walking, adding a “good heel” duration marker. You should feel like a treat dispenser, feeding often during this exercise.

Luring to heel position:  
Use your food to lay your dog into heel position, be sure to work on both sides.

The perch:  
Get a bowl / yoga block, something that your dog can get its front legs onto. Start by getting them to hop onto the perch, look for one foot tapping it, mark yes and reward. Continue this until your dog is easily hoping onto the perch with its front paws only. Once comfortable hopping onto the perch, take your food into your palm and twist your wrist so that their head is looking the opposite direction of which youre looking to rotate their hind legs. Youre looking for the smallest amount of movement in their hind legs, having a mirror nearby will make this alot easier. After a few reps/days, start moving in quarter circles, practice this alot. One your dog has this this mastered start moving your body in tiny increments, wait for them to slowly move a bit towards you, then mark yes and reward. After a fee days/ reps they should understand to follow your heel position on the perch.

Pivots:  
Take what youve learned from the perch and practice without the perch. Small movement = big win at the start.

Heres a instagram video of birdies process! 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYSQiaJxvMw/?igsh=MXRwZTJvc3Z2OXJkaA==

Birdie heel work; how to!