Although your dog is a smaller dog, and this may seem bass akwards in concept, the smaller the step the easier it is on any sized dog to 'read' the step and choose the right way to go.
The HUGE strides leave the dog in the dust and doing an automatic lag on everything. Why? The dog can't 'read' (as they also are just learning this new language) the HUGE strides and keep up, they simply can't at this point in the training so they learn to lag.
Instead, help your dogs to succeed. The key is small steps. Small steps to start, small steps to halt, small steps on the turns. When you take small steps, the dog has more time to 'read' the footwork and stay with the handler in proper heel position. Since the dog is still on a leash and your leash position is correct (below left knee), the leash will help the dog by providing the direction to go as your small steps give the dog time, much needed time, to stay in proper heel position.
So, in addition to the lesson today, work on taking small steps when you start a heel, when you halt and especially on your turns.
Here is video showing some advanced Halt footwork mechanics. I demo using the Week 2: Day 5/6 'Kiss' hand signal to cue the dog. If you are doing Days 1/2, instead of the 'Kiss' hand signal, you do the silent shaping/molding of the dog. Days 3/4 is the shaping/molding of the dog + the "Sit" command.
Easier to learn this at Week 2 if you are good at following instructions.
Does this make sense?
Roxanne
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