Why dogs heel on Left side

Have you ever stopped to wonder why we do certain things when it comes to our dogs? For example, why is the traditional heel take place on the left instead of the right?

Without traveling back in time, it’s hard to know for certain, but here are some possible answers to some of our doggy traditions and myths.

Why Do We Walk Our Dogs on the Left?

There are probably a few reasons why the structured heel used in obedience and conformation rings is on the left side, and not the right.

Back when people would carry a sword, they would need to keep their dominant hand (most often the right) free in order to draw their weapon and use it. Thus, they would hold their dog’s lead in the left hand.

Another possibility is that because the horse is approached on the left side, whether you are mounting him, tacking him up, or leading him (again, this most likely started because your sword would be on your left side), that in order to walk both horse and dog at the same time, the dog needed to be on the left.

Why Do We Call it Heeling?

Although pure speculation, this may come from the same place that the Blue or Queensland Heeler, now known as the Australian Cattle Dog, first received its name. In the 1800’s, when Australians were trying to breed a dog that could handle driving massive herds of cattle across the open country, they were mixing all kinds of herding dogs (mostly collie-types) with the native dingo. However, they kept getting dogs that would go to the head of the cattle, working them into a frenzy and lowering their weight, making them less valuable on the market.

Finally, a man by the name of Thomas Hall bred dingos with the now extinct Blue Smooth Highland Collie. The result was a dog that would nip at the cattle’s back heels, and then duck to avoid any kicks. This “heeling” behavior (going around to the animals heels) is what gave them their name. (CattleDog.com)

Originally, when dog’s would “heel” at their owner’s side, proper placement was slightly behind and to the left of them. It would make sense to call this position “heeling” as your dog is literally walking on your heels. (Source: Carolyn Wilki, Raspberry Ridge Sheep Farm).

Today’s heel position is more forward, with the dog’s shoulder’s being even with their owner’s left leg, allowing the dog to look at the owner in the face and make eye contact, something modern positive reinforcement training has introduced.

Why a Leash?

I grew up around horses and dogs, and have always wondered why the horse is led on a lead, but the dog on a leash.

Leash is a Middle English word from Old French lesse, laisse and laissier, meaning “let run on a slack lead” (Oxford Dictionary). So here, the word lead is actually part of the origin and definition of leash. Interestingly, the origins of the word lead come from Old English of Germanic origin and related to load and lode. (Oxford Dictionary)

This means the word lead was indeed first and leash was adapted later. It’s possible that we American’s started to use the word leash just to differentiate between us and England, but this is one tradition that looks like it’s going to remain a mystery.

Are there other traditions that you ponder why we do them? Put them in the comments!

About the Author

Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She also owns her own custom pet products company, A Fairytail House, where she makes personalized collars, leashes, beds, keepsake pillows and blankets, and anything else your imagine can think up. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.