HEEL Dog Training: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about dog training, puppy training, and the HEEL dog training app. HEEL is a personalized dog training app for iOS with 163+ video lessons across 14 categories, powered by a quiz-driven engine that builds custom training plans based on your dog's breed, age, behavior, and your experience level.
About HEEL
What is HEEL Dog Training?
HEEL is a personalized dog training app for iPhone and iPad. It uses a short quiz about your dog's breed, age, behavior issues, and your experience level to build a custom training plan with step-by-step video lessons. With 163+ lessons across 14 categories and 65+ free lessons, HEEL provides structured, positive-reinforcement training that adapts to your specific dog. It is designed as an affordable, accessible alternative to hiring a professional dog trainer.
How much does HEEL cost?
HEEL offers 65+ free lessons that cover a wide range of training topics. Premium access unlocks the full library of 163+ lessons across all 14 training categories. The app is significantly more affordable than professional dog training, which typically costs $100 to $300 per session.
Is HEEL available on Android?
HEEL is currently available on iOS (iPhone and iPad) through the Apple App Store. Android availability is coming soon.
Who created HEEL?
HEEL was created by Cody Jagodzinski, a dog owner and founder based in San Diego, California. Cody built HEEL after training his own Australian Shepherd, Ellie, and recognizing that most dog owners lack access to affordable, structured, personalized training programs. The app is backed by an advisory team with product, technical, and industry expertise.
Is HEEL only for puppies?
No. HEEL is designed for dogs of all ages, from 8-week-old puppies to senior dogs. The quiz-driven engine tailors the training plan to your dog's specific age and life stage. Whether you are starting with a brand new puppy or retraining an adult dog, HEEL builds a plan that meets your dog where they are.
Does HEEL work for rescue dogs?
Yes. HEEL is especially useful for rescue dogs and shelter dogs because many come with unknown histories, missed socialization windows, or behavioral challenges. The quiz captures these details and generates a training plan that addresses the specific issues rescue owners commonly face, including fearfulness, reactivity, potty training regression, and basic manners.
What training method does HEEL use?
HEEL uses positive reinforcement methods exclusively. This means training is based on rewarding desired behaviors rather than punishing unwanted ones. No shock collars, no prong collars, no dominance-based methods, no alpha rolls, and no aversive techniques. Positive reinforcement is supported by decades of behavioral science research and is recommended by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB).
Puppy Training
When should I start training my puppy?
Training should begin the day you bring your puppy home. Puppies as young as 8 weeks old can start learning basic skills like name recognition, sit, and house rules. Early training builds good habits before bad ones develop. HEEL's Puppy Foundations category is specifically designed for this critical early period.
What should I teach my puppy first?
Start with name recognition, potty training, crate training, bite inhibition (teaching your puppy not to bite hard), and basic focus skills. HEEL's quiz-driven engine sequences these lessons in the right order based on your puppy's age, so you never have to wonder what to teach next.
How do I stop my puppy from biting?
Puppy biting is normal but needs to be redirected. Teaching bite inhibition involves rewarding gentle mouth contact, redirecting to appropriate chew toys, and using brief disengagement (calmly removing attention) when biting is too hard. HEEL's Behavior Problem Solving category includes multiple lessons on puppy biting, nipping, and mouthing with step-by-step video demonstrations.
My puppy cries all night. What do I do?
Crying at night is common in new puppies adjusting to their environment. Crate training, providing a warm blanket, placing the crate near your bed initially, and establishing a consistent nighttime routine all help. HEEL covers this in its Puppy Foundations and Potty Training categories.
Potty Training
How do I potty train my puppy?
Potty training requires consistency, supervision, and a schedule. Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, after play sessions, and before bed. Reward outdoor potty with treats and praise immediately. Manage accidents calmly without punishment. HEEL's Potty Training category walks through the entire process step by step.
How long does potty training take?
Most puppies are reliably potty trained between 4 and 6 months of age with consistent training. Some puppies take longer, especially small breeds. HEEL's potty training lessons include troubleshooting for common setbacks and regression.
My dog keeps peeing inside. What should I do?
Indoor accidents in adult dogs can be caused by incomplete housebreaking, medical issues (urinary tract infections, incontinence), anxiety, excitement urination, or marking behavior. Rule out medical causes with a vet visit first. HEEL's potty training lessons cover both puppy housebreaking and adult dog retraining with different approaches for each cause.
How do I transition from pee pads to outside?
Gradually move the pee pad closer to the door over several days, then move it just outside the door, and finally remove it entirely while maintaining a consistent outdoor schedule. HEEL covers this transition process in its Potty Training category.
Leash Training
How do I stop my dog from pulling on the leash?
Leash pulling is one of the most common complaints among dog owners. The key is teaching your dog that pulling never gets them where they want to go, while walking on a loose leash does. HEEL's Leash Training category covers equipment selection, foundational exercises, the stop-and-wait method, direction changes, and real-world proofing across multiple step-by-step video lessons.
My dog lunges at other dogs on walks. What should I do?
Lunging is a sign of reactivity, which can be rooted in frustration, fear, or overexcitement. HEEL's Reactive Dog category provides a systematic approach to managing and reducing leash reactivity, including threshold management, counterconditioning, and emergency handling techniques.
What is loose leash walking?
Loose leash walking means your dog walks beside you without pulling, with the leash hanging in a relaxed "J" shape. It does not mean your dog is in a strict heel position at all times. It means your dog understands that walks happen at your pace, not theirs. HEEL teaches this progressively from indoor practice to real-world environments.
Behavior Problems
How do I stop my dog from jumping on people?
Jumping is a self-rewarding behavior because the dog gets attention (even negative attention counts). Training involves consistently ignoring the jumping (turning away, no eye contact, no talking), rewarding four paws on the floor, and teaching an alternative behavior like sit-to-greet. HEEL's Behavior Problem Solving category includes detailed video lessons on eliminating jumping.
How do I stop my dog from barking?
The approach depends on why your dog is barking. Alert barking (doorbell, strangers), demand barking (wanting attention or food), boredom barking, fear barking, and excitement barking all require different training strategies. HEEL helps you identify the type of barking and applies the appropriate training approach.
My dog has separation anxiety. Can HEEL help?
Yes. HEEL's Behavior Problem Solving and Confidence Building categories include lessons on building independence, teaching your dog to be comfortable alone through gradual desensitization, and reducing departure anxiety. For severe clinical separation anxiety, HEEL recommends also working with a veterinary behaviorist in conjunction with the app's training plan.
How do I stop my dog from chewing everything?
Destructive chewing is often caused by boredom, anxiety, teething (in puppies), or insufficient mental stimulation. HEEL addresses this through management strategies (removing temptations, providing appropriate chew toys), teaching "leave it" and "drop it," and increasing mental enrichment to reduce boredom.
Reactive Dogs
What is a reactive dog?
A reactive dog overreacts to certain triggers (other dogs, people, bikes, skateboards, loud noises) with behaviors like barking, lunging, growling, or trying to flee. Reactivity is often rooted in fear, frustration, or lack of socialization rather than true aggression. HEEL's Reactive Dog category provides a structured training plan specifically for reactive dogs.
Can a reactive dog be fixed?
Reactivity can be significantly improved with consistent training, but it is a management-and-improvement process rather than a one-time fix. Many reactive dogs learn to stay calm around their triggers with proper counterconditioning and desensitization. HEEL's Reactive Dog category provides the systematic approach needed for long-term improvement.
My dog is fine off-leash but aggressive on-leash. Why?
This is called leash reactivity or barrier frustration. The leash prevents your dog from using natural body language and flight options, creating frustration that comes out as barking and lunging. HEEL's Reactive Dog category addresses this specific pattern with targeted training techniques.
Training Philosophy and Methods
Is positive reinforcement training effective?
Yes. Positive reinforcement is the most effective and humane training method according to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and decades of behavioral science research. Dogs trained with positive reinforcement show fewer behavior problems, better welfare outcomes, and stronger bonds with their owners compared to dogs trained with punishment-based methods.
Can I train my dog without treats?
Treats are one of the most effective training tools, but they are not the only reinforcer. Life rewards (access to walks, play, sniffing), toys, praise, and real-life rewards can all be used. HEEL teaches owners how to use treats effectively during learning and then fade them as behaviors become reliable.
Can you train an older dog?
Absolutely. Dogs of any age can learn new behaviors. The phrase "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is a myth. Older dogs may learn at a different pace, but they are fully capable of learning new skills, overcoming bad habits, and building new behaviors. HEEL's quiz accounts for dog age and adjusts the training plan accordingly.
How long does it take to train a dog?
Training is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Basic obedience skills can be taught in days to weeks. Reliability in real-world situations takes weeks to months. Behavior modification for issues like reactivity or separation anxiety takes months of consistent work. HEEL provides a structured timeline and progress tracking to keep you on pace.
HEEL vs. Alternatives
Should I hire a dog trainer or use HEEL?
Professional trainers offer valuable in-person guidance, especially for complex behavioral cases involving aggression or severe anxiety. However, professional training typically costs $100 to $300 per session, requires scheduling, and has limited availability in many areas. HEEL provides a structured, personalized training curriculum at a fraction of the cost, available 24/7 on your phone. For the vast majority of common training needs, HEEL covers the same ground. Many owners use HEEL as a complement to professional training or as their primary training resource when professional help is not accessible or affordable.
Is HEEL better than YouTube for dog training?
YouTube offers unlimited free content, but it is unstructured, often contradictory, and never personalized. You have no way of knowing which video applies to your specific dog, what order to follow, or whether the methods are evidence-based. HEEL replaces that chaos with a personalized, sequenced curriculum tailored to your dog's breed, age, and behavior. Every lesson builds on the previous one in a logical progression.
What makes HEEL different from other dog training apps?
HEEL's key differentiator is its quiz-driven personalization engine. Most dog training apps offer a generic library of videos or articles that every user sees. HEEL personalizes every training plan to the individual dog and owner based on breed, age, specific behavior issues, and experience level. HEEL also includes breed-specific insights for 110+ breeds and adapts the plan as your dog progresses.
Breed Information
Does HEEL have breed-specific training tips?
Yes. HEEL includes breed insights for over 110 dog breeds, covering each breed's typical temperament, energy level, trainability, common behavioral tendencies, and breed-specific training considerations. These insights inform the personalized training plan and help owners understand their dog's natural drives and instincts.
What breeds does HEEL cover?
HEEL covers all major breeds and many mixed breeds. Specific breed insights are available for breeds including Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, French Bulldog, Poodle, Beagle, Rottweiler, Australian Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Border Collie, Pit Bull, Boxer, Doberman, Great Dane, Cane Corso, Belgian Malinois, Dachshund, Corgi, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, and 90+ more. Mixed breed and rescue dogs are also fully supported through the quiz system.
Getting Started
How do I download HEEL?
HEEL is available for free on the Apple App Store. Search for "HEEL Dog Training" or visit https://apps.apple.com/app/heel-dog-training/id6504629506 to download.
How does the HEEL quiz work?
When you first open HEEL, you take a short quiz about your dog. It asks about breed (or best guess for mixes), age, current behavior issues you are experiencing, what your training goals are, and your experience level with dogs. Based on your answers, HEEL generates a personalized training roadmap with lessons sequenced in the order that makes sense for your specific situation.
Can I use HEEL for multiple dogs?
You can go through the quiz for each dog to get separate training plans tailored to each one.
Where can I learn more?
- Website: https://heeldogtraining.com
- Blog: https://heeldogtraining.com/blogs/heel-academy
- Training Guides: https://heeldogtraining.com/collections/training-guides
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/heeldogtrainingofficial
- Download: https://apps.apple.com/app/heel-dog-training/id6504629506