With Me
Summary
With Me is an everyday, casual heel. Think of it as your dog walking with you instead of ahead of you or behind you. Use it when you want your dog close, and save the sniffing and exploring for other parts of the walk. You'll build it in eight steps, using the Touch your dog already knows to show them exactly where "with me" is.
The goal is a dog who hears "with me" and thinks, "My spot is right by your left leg."
Benefits of Teaching With Me
Gives you an easy way to keep your dog close when you need to.
Makes passing people, dogs and distractions on a walk calmer.
Helps you get through tight spaces like doorways, crowded sidewalks and vet lobbies.
Builds on Touch, so it feels like a familiar game to your dog.
No pulling, popping or correcting needed. Your dog learns the spot pays.
Ways to Use With Me
Passing other people or dogs on a walk.
Walking through doorways, parking lots and narrow paths.
Walking into the vet's office, a store or a busy area.
Any time sniffing and exploring aren't on the menu.
Purpose
The purpose of With Me is to teach your dog that the spot right next to your left leg is the best place to be when you ask for it.
The goal: when you say "With Me," your dog walks with 9 inches or less between your left thigh and their right shoulder.
Before You Start
Touch comes first. Touch is a must-have for With Me. Before you start, make sure your dog's Touch is strong and you can already use it to move your dog from place to place.
The Rules of the Game
Move up: 5 correct in a row? Go to the next step.
Go back: 3 misses in a row? Go back one step. That's information, not failure.
Mark and treat: say your marker word (like "Yes!") the moment your dog does it right, then give a treat. A clicker works too.
Leash in your right hand. Your dog walks on your left.
Never pull your dog into position. Your touch hand shows them where to go.
Hand Positions
Your left hand tells your dog when a treat is on offer.
Touch hand: flat and stiff, fingers together, right at your left thigh with your palm facing back toward your dog. This means "touch here, treat coming."
Relaxed hand: loose and soft, with a natural curve, or resting at your waist. This means "nothing to touch right now."
Your dog will learn the difference quickly, so keep your hand relaxed whenever you're not offering a touch.
Set Up
When to Teach
Pick a time when your dog has had a chance to sniff and stretch, so they're not bursting with energy.
Keep sessions short: 3–5 minutes.
End while your dog is still doing well.
Where to Teach
Steps 1–5 happen inside your home. Step 6 moves to the backyard, and Step 7 to the front of your home. Pick a hallway or open room where you can take at least 7 steps in a straight line.
Supplies Needed
A regular 6 foot leash and a well-fitted harness or flat collar. No retractable leash.
Small, soft, smelly treats.
A treat pouch, so your left hand stays free for touch.
Management Notes
Hold the leash in your right hand the whole time.
Keep treats in a pouch, not in your left hand. Your touch hand should be empty.
Practice with one dog at a time.
Instructions
Step 1: Touch Into Position, One Step
With your dog on leash inside your home, hold the leash in your right hand.
Say "Touch" and offer your touch hand at your left thigh. When your dog touches it, mark and treat. Now your dog is in With Me position.
Take one step forward and offer your touch hand again. When your dog touches it, mark and treat.
Step 2: Three Steps
Same as Step 1, but take three steps before offering your touch hand.
Between touches, keep your left hand relaxed or at your waist.
Step 3: Add "With Me"
Toss a treat away from your dog so they're out of position.
Say "With Me," then say "Touch" with your hand in With Me position at your left thigh.
When your dog touches your hand, mark and treat.
Step 4: Drop "Touch"
Same as Step 3, but don't say "Touch." Just say "With Me" and offer your hand.
Step 5: With Me on the Move
Still inside, leash in your right hand, say "With Me" to bring your dog into position. Mark and treat.
Take one step forward and offer your touch hand. When your dog touches it, mark and treat.
Repeat, but mix up the number of steps you take, anywhere from 3 to 7, before offering your touch hand.
Step 6: Backyard
Do Step 5 in the backyard.
Step 7: Front of Your Home
Do Step 5 in front of your home.
Step 8: Generalize!
Practice With Me in new places and new situations (see How to Level Up).
Download the printable chart (PDF): attach WBA With Me Chart.pdf here.
Good Signs
You are on the right track when your dog:
Moves right to your left side when you say "With Me."
Stays within about 9 inches of your left thigh.
Looks up at you as you walk.
Walks on a loose leash, with a happy, wiggly body.
Waits for your touch hand instead of jumping or mouthing.
Take a Break If You See
End the session, or go back a step, if your dog:
Misses 3 levels in a row.
Keeps pulling ahead or drifting away.
Gets frantic, jumpy or mouthy.
Stops taking treats, especially outside.
Schedule
Practice 3–5 minutes per session.
Aim for:
1–2 sessions per day.
A rest day whenever your dog seems tired or frustrated.
Short, happy sessions are better than long ones.
End every session on a win.
Troubleshooting
My dog doesn't come to my side.
Go back to Touch practice and make sure it's strong. Then use fewer steps and a better treat.
My dog jumps at or mouths my hand.
Your hand may be too high or moving too much. Keep it still, flat and right at your thigh, and mark the moment the nose touches.
My dog drifts ahead or behind between touches.
You're asking for too many steps. Offer your touch hand sooner, then build the number of steps back up slowly.
My dog keeps touching my relaxed hand.
Only mark and treat touches to your flat, stiff touch hand. Keep your relaxed hand soft, curved or at your waist, and your dog will learn the difference.
It works inside but falls apart outside.
That's normal. Every new place is harder. Go back to an easier step, use fewer steps between touches, and use better treats.
How to Level Up
After Step 7, it's time to generalize. Practice With Me in harder and harder situations and places:
Down the street, then around the block.
Past other people and dogs at a comfortable distance.
Through parking lots, store entrances and vet lobbies.
In any new place, drop back to an easier step and warm up first. Set your dog up to succeed.
Change one thing at a time. If your dog struggles, make it easier and try again.
With Me isn't about a perfect heel. It's teaching your dog: "Right next to you is a great place to be."