Heeling on Leash (fifteen points)

The dog begins the pattern sitting at heel position. With the command “Heel!” handler and dog move forward approximately forty paces and then turn around and come back. The dog walks at its handler’s left side, working with its shoulder approximately even with its master’s knee. The animal will be penalized for forging ahead, crowding, lagging behind or going wide. The judge may direct the exercise, but more often the handler executes his own heeling pattern. Each pattern must contain movement at a normal, slow and rapid pace (the handler may command the dog to “Heel!” at each change of pace), and each pattern must contain a right and a left turn, an about‑turn and also a halt. The about‑turn is made to the left, moving directly into the dog. When the handler halts, the dog should automatically sit straight and square with its front legs even with its master’s knees. After the structured heeling pattern has been completed, the team moves through a group of approximately four milling people in a loose pattern that must include one right and one left turn through the group. The team halts once while in the group, and the dog should sit automatically. The dog should be aware of the people around it, but should remain undisturbed and attentive to its handler.