07/10/2026
"Spaniels can't heel."
I hear this all the time. Honestly, it drives me a bit mad.
Here's the truth: heel is just a position. It's not a breed trait, and it's not something a dog either has or hasn't got. It's a picture you teach: where the dog's shoulder sits, where their attention is, and what they do when you move.
Spaniels are clever, keen and bred to work with you. They're also busy, nosy and easily excited, which is exactly why people give up. They try heelwork on a few walks, the dog's nose hits the floor, and the verdict is "it's a spaniel thing."
It isn't. It's a training thing.
If you're clear about what you want, reward the right position, build it up in small steps and stay consistent, there's no reason a spaniel can't learn it. They don't learn it despite being spaniels. They learn it because you've shown them what the job is.
Watch Maple here. Same brain, same energy, same love of a good sniff. She just knows what's being asked.
Your spaniel can do this too. 🧡
So get in touch, let's get your spaniel heeling.
