Beyond the technical quality, purchasing the course through authorized platforms like Leerburg provides access to a community of like-minded trainers. Official versions often come with supplementary materials, updates, and the ability to stream the content across multiple devices. This ensures that you have the most current version of Michael’s methodology, which he is constantly refining based on his work with thousands of dogs.
The foundation of the heel position relies on precise hand rewards (luring). Handlers learn exactly how to hold food to guide the dog's nose, which directly dictates where the dog's rear end and shoulders sit relative to the handler's leg. 3. Spatial Awareness and Footwork
: Detailed instruction on left, right, and about turns using touch pads and physical cues. The Finish
The sight of the toy builds extreme forward drive and an upright head carriage.
It is tailored for competition, creating the "snappy" and intense focus required for high scores in IPO/Schutzhund [1]. Focused Heelingwith Michael Ellis Torrent
: A unique concept adapted from horse training, teaching dogs to move toward rather than away from leash pressure to maintain position. Training Progression
Michael Ellis’s is a core component of his reward-based training system, designed specifically for high-level competitive obedience and protection sports. Unlike casual walking, focused heeling requires the dog to maintain intense, sustained eye contact with the handler while remaining in a precise physical position. Core Training Principles
Start by taking one step forward. If the dog maintains eye contact and moves with you, click (if using a clicker) or say "Yes!" and immediately play with the tug toy [1].
Many trainers credit this program as their "turning point" from being a mere handler to becoming a "student of the why". Focused Heeling w/ Michael Ellis - Leerburg Beyond the technical quality, purchasing the course through
: The materials are generally well-structured, making it accessible for handlers of various experience levels to learn and implement the techniques. However, some may find the concepts and application challenging without prior experience in dog training or positive reinforcement techniques.
Transition away from visible lures early to avoid creating a dog that only works when food is in sight.
Ellis emphasizes fading the physical food lure as quickly as possible. The food is moved from the hand to the mouth (spitting food reward) or held in a pocket, transitioning the physical lure into a mental picture and a verbal cue. Phase 3: Moving Forward (Adding Steps)
Verbal cues that tell the dog, "You are doing great, keep doing exactly what you are doing, and the reward is coming later." The foundation of the heel position relies on
If you want to tailor this training to your dog, let me know: Your dog's
Michael Ellis's "focused heeling" technique emphasizes a highly engaged, "switched on" dog, moving beyond basic obedience to enthusiastic, eye-contact-driven performance. The training method focuses on building drive through high-value rewards, precise luring, and strengthening the dog-handler relationship rather than relying on force. Instead of seeking unauthorized content, you can learn the core principles of engagement and precision through official resources like Leerburg.
Covers essential terminology and identifies when to start training. Focuses on Marker Training
In the Michael Ellis system, a flawless focused heel consists of several distinct moving parts that are taught separately and then chained together:
