14/05/2026
This is why I put so much emphasis on teaching a heel command and a break command…
Heel isn’t about turning dogs into robots glued to our side. Heel is about teaching the dog how to switch into focus, calm, and guidance when we ask.
And then we give them the break command — because dogs need to be dogs. They need to sniff, decompress, explore, and use their nose. Freedom doesn’t disappear… it just happens on our terms.
In this clip, Toff, who is a clients dog I've trained has multiple off lead distractions around him, yet he chooses to stay engaged. Calm behaviour earns him freedom.
Fabulous Recall. Brilliant Heel Work, Focused Engagement means he's earned ' Off Lead Status '