04/12/2026
Independence doesn’t mean untrainable. Science shows that the best results come from communication, not control. 🐺
I was told by everyone that teaching a Husky to heel was nearly impossible. "They’re bred to pull," they said. For a long time, I believed that a breed this independent required a physical tool to "enforce" focus.
I’ll be honest: I relied on a prong collar for a long time.
It gave the appearance of a well-behaved dog for a little while, but my understanding of the mechanics changed everything. While the tool suppressed the pulling, it didn't address Balto's internal state. The excitement and environmental triggers were still there—they were just being overshadowed by the avoidance of pressure.
Eventually, the "fallout" became clear. The frustration of being restricted by aversive pressure began to manifest as leash reactivity. I had followed all the traditional "rules" of the tool, but the behavioral science was telling a different story: You can't punish an emotion out of a dog.
When I transitioned to Force-Free (R+) methods, the shift wasn't just in his behavior—it was in his spirit. Heeling became a game of choice, not a requirement for comfort.
Now as a dog trainer I use science-based methods because I want to help humans and dogs cohabitate through mutual listening. Listening to your dog's needs is the fastest way to get them to listen to yours.
Follow for the breakdown of how I taught this heel using real behavioral science! ✨🐾
