Teach the Heeling Set Up for Utility

Set yourself back from the ring, out of the sun if it’s a hot day, so you have the dog’s attention when the steward motions to you. This will help ensure that you will be heeling into the ring and cueing the dog for a sit.


Make eye contact with the dog. Do not talk to anyone; give your dog your total attention.

Take two short steps, on your right and then left foot, to complete the stop.

Brake on your left foot as you pull upward with your leash in your left hand. This will reinforce the dog to sit.


Say "halt" as you stop on the brake foot and "sit" as you actually stop with your left foot if your dog has a hard time picking up the sit cue.


Keep your dog’s attention even while talking to the judge or ring steward while in the ring.