I was wondering how many of you have been successful in teaching your dog to heel? I have a seven month old Lab. He has done well with most everything except the heeling. He knows how to sit, shake, come on command most of the time, he knows the down command. The problem is the heeling. I have read the articles recently posted here. What procedure did you all use in teaching this command? I am thinking of trying the halter with light weight leash. It is my fault because I have not really worked with him a lot on this command yet and I have been using a retractable leash on him that allows him to run ahead of me. Also, once they are trained to walk next to you, do any of you ever allow a retractable leash to be used again? I do not like the idea of shock collars or choke chains or those pinch collars that dig into the skin. Brenda