Cattle Dog Advise

We have our third blue heeler. The first contracted cancer the second got very nippy and I could not trust her with children and the present one we call Violet is wonderful. plays gentle with old people and the converse with kids. So smart she is uncanny. Must know everthing that goes on about the place. She knows the noises you make when you close doors, pick up a torch and she is there and plays with each grandchild in a different way.
One thing that I was told early on with violet was that when you wrestle with them,and they certainly love that, do not let them mouth you as they do because as they grow they think this is the norm and it will turn to a bite. I think this it very true.
She is desexed.
A blue cattle is by your side all day and does not lay about sleeping, always active and runs like a rocket.
Take him with you all the time and he will socalize and keep reinforcing the training and he will love you for it.

Don,
Agreeing with Pinko.

I have a red cattle dog (desexed male) & blue stumpy tail (desexed female). They are excellent dogs, loyal & trustworthy, look intimidating but aren't.
The trick is to spend time with them - lots of hours. Mine sleep inside & are always with me - except when I'm at work.

I've traveled lots of Oz with the red one - he's my protector.

Marilyn

They are lovely dogs if well trained and socialised. As others have said, they are very active and intelligent and they need occupation and company. Being shut up alone for hours at a time will drive them crazy, literally. If you are inexperienced with dogs check around your area for a reputable dog training club where your dog can get used to others and play ball games etc. Our Jack Russell (another very active breed) loved this. Avoid trainers who get their kicks from screaming at and choking dogs! We took our dog to the beach a lot to exercise and socialise her. This was a good place to practice being off leash and learning to see us as her security so she stayed within call. (Practice off leash work in an enclosed yard at first!) Take your dog to lots of different places so he is happy and relaxed among strangers and then he will be fine when you are travelling and will not get too anxious or territorial about your campi- you don't want him threatening every passer by!
Travelling with a dog is twice the fun and encourages you to get out and walk so you see more and meet more people. Our dog loves seeing us pack up to go.Enjoy! Lynne

i've just not long picked up a 2-3yr old female that i have been bonding with over the past year...
ive not really been a dog person but seems i may be turning into one...

she is a great guard dog..

There was a wonderful post on this forum sometime ago about how God made an animal for Adam & Eve in the garden of Eden. He made the animal with a nature a mirror image of himself & named it accordingly DOG.....spelt backwards!!! All dogs are just so faithful & full of love especially ACD or "Bluey" I still have 2 and unfortunately my best mate I had to put down he was 16 a few years ago it broke my heart..but we move on. A travelling companion? I do not go camping without my two heelers who just love travelling, playing & sleeping. We go to our favorite spot & it's ironical as we begin to turn into the area the male dog is awake looks out the window and wags his tail he knows were we are. They are so smart but you must make them think and task them all the time. I have had the f/male desexed but the male not. They never present any problems. The only problem with dogs are the owners who are irresponsible. Good luck with the Heeler & don't teach her to play poker but if you do and she raises the bet have a look at her tail if she is wagging it throw in. Chances are she's got a good hand!!!

We have breeding ACD's in the USA for the past 25 years.

Here is some advise for you:

1. Get the dog fixed by 6 months old

2. ACD's are VERY smart and easily trainable, best idea is to progress to an obediance class and then something like agility. This give the dogs something to learn and is very helpful in training them in public.

We sell dogs all over the world and currently have two dogs on the German Elite Search and Rescue team who travel all over Europe. In fact two puppies are leaving on Tuesday for Bulgaria.

Bruce in San Diego

Hi Don,
You've bought a beautiful Dog and all of the advise already given is good. Definately desex him or you'll have a wandering dog.
If you are planning to travel into any areas whch may have baits laid, place a good muzzle on him. 1080 is a dreadful death. People who've laid the baits should put signs up, most do but birds carry it & drop it. These areas are especially when travelling out back but farmers are using it on rabbits again now.

Teach him not to pick up anything from the ground and eat it. If you see him chewing on a bone out bush get it off of him. This sounds a little frightening, Death from a 1080 bait is shocking.

When you play with him, play gently or when he becomes an adult, he'll think he's only playing, when really he is being too rough.
We've had several dogs over the yrs, a dog is a wonderful friend. Blue heelers are very protective.
All but one of our dogs got old & we had to put them to sleep. One was run over by a school bus speeding. Yes he was, he always does..
All dogs have their own personalities.
Take care.
Bye Ma.

I'll just answer the de-sexing part of your queries, I had my little Dusty de-sexed for 1 special reason, when travelling a lot as he did it would be a worry if he got the scent of a female on heat and shot through , what would one do when driving trucks , you wouldn't be able to hang around and wait, also we all know how cruel some people are .

.

watch out for the paralyis ticks on the east coast can kill your dog;if you think your dog has picked up a 1080 bait my vet advised me to put some lectric crystals down his throat to make him sick it up and to get him to a vet asap but thats a problem none in the backblocks the crystals can be bought at the local supermarket;i always carry some when travelling ;i have a red heeler too from an animal shelter a beautiful dog also have had 4 blues over a long time sad to see them depart this world bye barry

Thanks a lot for all the information !!
Yep I'm going to get him desexed in a few weeks time when he's 5 months old.


Cheers Don

Hi Don

As you can see in my avatar, my best mate is doing what he does when he finds an air conditioner. Your dog will return what you give him, so give him loyalty and heaps of love and pats, and you'll get the loyalty in return.

Yes they love wrestling, but as another person said, if any biting starts, a good snout whack quickly, sounds cruel but is required for an instant lesson in NO.

Heelers become extremely territorial and defensive, as anything of yours he will defend as his own, so be very aware of that. If you tell someone to get something from mthe car or something like that, the dog could become extremely angry.

You have a mate for life there, be his mate.

Cheers

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Hi Don,

Great choice of dog, I used to breed stumpy tail cattle dogs, our last bitch pictured (Dusty) is unbelivable in the intelligence department. She is a bloody poser when there is a camera around as you can see. She is a great loyal mate too, never goes anywhere without us !!! A resounding yes to everyone else's comments on your choice too.

All the best Steve

Hi Don,
We have a 5 month old bluey.
From my research the key is socialise, socialise and socialise. The other really important thing is making sure you are boss of the pack ie being assertive, consistent and fair. (make sure you are first through the door, that he waits before going out the door etc).
Another thing to consider is NILIF ie nothing in life is free, meaning the dog only gets a pat or a treat when it has earnt it. That could be simply sitting when he greets you, or coming when called.
The other thing I have done is use a 15 foot piece of rope when walking him, this enable me to give him some freedom, but not give him the chance to learn that he can choose when/if he comes when he is called, and that chasing cars will get a swift jolt on the lead.
A very useful web site is http://www.dogstardaily.com/
Our pup is very eager to please, and getting pretty good with our 4 and 8 year old.
Good luck,
Tim