Just curious. I myself have given up trying to get my pups to walk beside me or not pull at all. I didn't post this for advice on that. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way...

I am just wondering, does anyone out there really walk with their Sibes at "proper" heel position? Ones I've seen being walked (not a ton but I see them occasionally), and photos I've seen online of people and their pack walking, the pups are always out in front. For me it's the norm... is anyone out there successful in keeping them in a heel position on walks? Honestly now

For me it depends on the purpose of the walk. If we are out to do a potty, then no. If we are out for a walk for exercise, then I try to use the proper heel position. I find that the faster I go without stopping, the better it works (not to mention more exercise for me). I also use different leashes and collars, and my dogs picked up on it pretty quick.

You make a good point, the purpose of the walk. I can see that. I am not a fast walker and thus I find it easiest to use a flexi-lead so they can run about and explore without dragging me along. But I definitely don't get exercise doing this. I bet if I could work myself up to speed walking better, they wouldn't feel like I am a rock holding them back! lol

Pippa will walk in a heel on the way back from a run, like the second half, or if we're leaving the dog park.

Even when she's really tired, if there's something new to smell, she'll walk ahead. She has gotten a lot better with loose leash walking though, so I take that as an accomplishment most days!

Yuki will heel if I have her semi-slip collar on. Sometimes willingly, other times I must remind her to. Usually that is when we are going to the pet store or dog park. However, if she has her harness on, I allow her to walk in front. This is when I have my walking belt on and like to allow her to be in her natural element which is to pull, plus I try to work on commands like left, right, slow down, stop, etc for when she starts biking this fall. But if she tries to drag me somewhere, I clip the leash back to her collar and have her heel for a few minutes to remind her that she cannot go off wherever she pleases (like halfway down another road just to sniff a piece of grass). Lol I guess I'm really strict, but shes trying to be a testy teenager right now so I'm trying to keep her boundaries established.

I am not one of those people who believe a dog needs to be beside me while walking. If I need my dogs to walk beside me (crossing the street, at a pet store, etc.) I have a 6 ft lead that has a traffic handle on it as well. They are more then content to stand next to me when I have a hold of the traffic handle.

Sheba will lead the pack by walking out in front. Sometimes she pulls hard, and when she does I reel in her leash and will slowly give her more freedom the better she walks. She realizes when she has gone to far and she will turn her ears back and listen for my corrections or praise. Kennedy will either walk up front with her or walk beside or even sometimes behind me if she is being lazy LOL.

I don't mind where my girls walk as long as they aren't pulling my arm off .

Kale walks right next to me on walks. I worked extremely hard with him since he was 7-8 weeks out in the yard with heeling and focus training (I didn't use treats). I do let him walk loose lead during the middle and end of our walk, but when we are walking past another dog, human, stroller, car, etc. he walks next to me. His loose lead walking is just that, loose lead, meaning that he is not pulling me, just walking in front of me with permission. I am extremely strict when it come to structured walks. Hiking and trail walks are a different story; he is in harness, and pulling like no ones business, and I let him explore and have fun.

Varu walks beside me for most of our walk. Irelease hin to go sniff every so often. It isn't a strict heel because he doesn't always stay perfectly shoulder to knee and doesn't pay enough attention to me so he breaks when I change speed or turn. I don't care if he's actually in heel though I just wanted to get him to be beside me so he wasn't stopping every 5ft to mark/sniff. It has worked well. He often pulls when other dogs or squirrells are close though (work in progress).

I agree with all that was said. I'm ok casual walking with her up front...as long as she is not pulling. If she pulls, I stop or do a quick turn around, until she stops doing it. And like the others, she has to be at my side when safety is a concern. Now, I do use different collars for different occasions....and she knows the difference. The buckle collar means she is more free to move ahead (we are just casual walking/potty/playtime) If she has her chain slip, we are doing obedience, and she needs to heel; of she has her nylon slip, we are gating for show. She gets it somehow.

Thane will usually have half of his body ahead of me. I see no problem in it he gets to "lead" but I have him at a close enough range to keep him safe. Usually when we get to my street at the end of our walk I let him off leash and he'll stay about 10 ft in front on the sidewalk. The street is usually empty and if I see people or a car I call him back in.

Depends on what lead I use. I don't care if my dogs walk in front or beside or behind as long as they do so on a loose lead and don't get in my way. On a Flexi lead my sibe wanders all around me, sometimes in front, sometimes behind and sometimes next to me. On a regular 6 ft lead he always walks at my side with slack in the lead at all times.

Mine use slip collars for walking, they know not to pull but I don't care if they are in front. Cato automatically goes to my side with a show collar on...he knows the difference.

Harnesses...all bets are off.

Mine walk in front and pull a bit. It doesnt bother me. If i drop the leash and call them they always stop and turn back to me right away.

I really appreciate everyone's replies!