How To Do Just About Everything
By eHow Pets Editor
Rate: (24 Ratings)
The blue heeler, also known as the Australian cattle dog, the Australian heeler, Hall's heeler and the Queensland heeler, is an intelligent and strong-muscled working dog. The breed originated from Australia and has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Blue heelers have blue merle or red speckled coats, are bred to herd cattle and have a very dominant and loyal personality.
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Comments
jen31381 said
on 3/27/2007 We got a blue heeler mix at 8 weeks and so far I can completely agree with with a lot of everyone's comments as to the training etc. My concern now is we are planning on getting a chain link fence and I'm curious if anyone thinks this dog could or would jump a 4' foot chain link fence? We ordered a 5' foot chain link fence thinking he'd jump a 4', but now I'm doubting that. So any comments would be great! jen31381@yahoo.com THANKS!
Anonymous said
on 8/9/2006 I got my Heeler when he was 8 weeks old. He learned quickly - everything from potty training to hand signals. Very obedient, I can get him to drop a steak from his mouth. He is incredibly sweet and affectionate toward me and people he knows. He is aggressive toward strangers, but only when they are at our house, it's a territorial thing. But, that is a hassle if you entertain a lot (I have to keep him in another room). When I take him for walks he is fine around other people and loves other dogs. Nipping/herding was a problem when he was younger. I usually would stop walking and tell him to sit, thus redirecting his attention. Compared to other dogs, Heelers are pretty low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They are high energy; I make sure to exercise my dog before and after work, and leave plenty of things to entertain him while I'm at work. They're social animals and love being part of the family. He's probably the most loyal and protective dog I've ever had.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 My first experience owning a Blue Heeler has, thus far, been very challenging, but extremely rewarding as well. I got "Fudgy" this past Fall when he was about 6 weeks old. From the minute I saw him, he was literally at my heels, and has been ever since. This is by far the smartest canine I have ever had-- and I have owned every breed imaginable.
He learned to sit in one minute flat when he was just 2 months old! Every trick I have taught him needs only to be demonstrated once or twice at most, and he never forgets a thing once he has learned it. In fact, the only times he botches a trick are times when my hand signals or voice commands are less than perfect. Training this particular heeler seems to demand that I am consistent, clear in my instruction and abundant in my praise of his good actions.
Heelers do nip you, and from what I understand it is tough to break them of this. The one thing that never works with Fudgy is pushing him off, swatting at him or yelling at him. This seems to cause him to bark, clap down to the ground and spring back up only to nip harder. I have since learned that heelers are sort of hard-wired to do this to get unruly animals in line. I have found that giving him a clear command such as SIT or DOWN as he is nipping or jumping will tend to re-focus him. Then I praise his good behavior, until he nips again. This requires a lot of patience and a lot of time spent training him.
Heelers like to do things, particularly things which require mental challenge. If you are expecting a calm companion to sit and watch TV with you for hours on end, do not get a heeler.
Keeping them busy: I recommend the "Talk to me Treatball" which lights up and talks and dispenses treats. Fudgy herds his treatball relentlessly and it entertains greatly. He also seems to like Kongs of all shapes and sizes with hard-to-extract treats inside. The "Holee Roller" ball and the Boomer or Jolly Ball (the larger 8 inch, 10 inch and 14 inch varieties) are also excellent. These larger indestructible balls seem to satisfy the urge to herd and chase-- for best results, I recommend taking your heeler to a large secure field and turning them loose with a "herd" of larger balls. "Doggie Day Care" is also a great way to wear your heeler out-- something which is pretty tough to accomplish. These guys are non-stop.
Since Fudgy likes to "find" things-- particularly things hidden under the ground which he excavates and brings into the house proudly-- I am training him to be a search/recovery/cadaver dog. Heelers are very driven creatures and will do nearly anything to get the result they want. If properly trained, the result they want becomes dependent upon what you ask for. Heelers are also being used to detect explosive material, narcotics, and bombs. They are excellent tracking dogs when properly trained and focused. They are tireless in their efforts.
This is an amazing breed to say the least. In the past few months, I have discovered that there is very little I cannot get my heeler to do or learn. He has more energy and intelligence than I know what to do with. If you are looking for a canine that you can work with to accomplish a goal, a heeler is a perfect selection.
I would not suggest a heeler for someone who is away from home for extended periods of time. Heelers do not like to be alone and will rearrange your entire house if neglected. They must have space, toys, attention, supervision, companionship and mental challenges daily. Once around the block on a leash after work will simply not cut it. The more you put into training and working with your heeler, the more you will get back.
Anonymous said
on 8/4/2006 I got my Heeler when she was about 4 months old. She was very shy for about 2 weeks, but finally came out of it and became playful. I have noticed that a lot of people say that their Heeler's feeling get hurt very easily and this is very true, I hate to have to correct her for her wrong doings because I feel bad. She's been a very loving companion and knows when I'm happy and when I don't feel well she will come and cuddle with me and be very gentle. She seems to be a very sociable dog, she loves my mom's dogs and my boyfriends mom's dog, and she never seems to run out of energy. We did find out that when we would leave her alone in the house she would chew on things or tear things up so we decided to try getting her a few toys, which fixed the problem real quick.
Everyone says that she's spoiled, which she is, but she's also very much loved and she loves and trusts completely. She has never had any kind of aggression problems toward people, small children included, or other animals.
I think anyone who decides to get a Heeler is making a very good choice in a pet and companion. The only bad habit she has is nipping at people's heels, but other than that she has been one of the best friends I could ever ask for.
Anonymous said
on 3/13/2006 My first experience owning a Blue Heeler has, thus far, been very challenging, but extremely rewarding as well. I got Fudgy this past Fall when he was about 6 weeks old. From the minute I saw him, he was literally at my heels, and has been ever since. This is by far the smartest canine I have ever had-- and I have owned every breed imaginable.
He learned to sit in one minute flat when he was just 2 months old! Every trick I have taught him needs only to be demonstrated once or twice at most, and he never forgets a thing once he has learned it. In fact, the only times he botches a trick are times when my hand signals or voice commands are less than perfect. Training this particular heeler seems to demand that I am consistent, clear in my instruction and abundant in my praise of his good actions.
Heelers do nip you, and from what I understand it is tough to break them of this. The one thing that never works with Fudgy is pushing him off, swatting at him or yelling at him. This seems to cause him to bark, clap down to the ground and spring back up only to nip harder. I have since learned that heelers are sort of hard-wired to do this to get unruly animals in line. I have found that giving him a clear command, such as 'sit' or 'down' as he is nipping or jumping will tend to re-focus him. Then I praise his good behavior, until he nips again. This requires a lot of patience and a lot of time spent training him.
Heelers like to do things, particularly things which require mental challenge. If you are expecting a calm companion to sit and watch TV with you for hours on end, do not get a heeler. Keeping them busy: I recommend the "Talk to me Treatball" which lights up and talks and dispenses treats. Fudgy herds his treatball relentlessly and it entertains greatly. He also seems to like Kongs of all shapes and sizes with hard-to-extract treats inside. The "Holee Roller" ball and the Boomer or Jolly Ball (the larger 8 inch, 10 inch and 14 inch varieties) are also excellent. These larger indestructible balls seem to satisfy the urge to herd and chase-- for best results, I recommend taking your heeler to a large secure field and turning them loose with a "herd" of larger balls. "Doggie Day Care" is also a great way to wear your heeler out-- something which is pretty tough to accomplish. These guys are non-stop.
Since Fudgy likes to find things-- particularly things hidden under the ground which he excavates and brings into the house proudly-- I am training him to be a search/recovery/cadaver dog. Heelers are very driven creatures and will do nearly anything to get the result they want. If properly trained, the result they want becomes dependent upon what you ask for. Heelers are also being used to detect explosive material, narcotics, and bombs. They are excellent tracking dogs when properly trained and focused. They are tireless in their efforts.
This is an amazing breed to say the least. In the past few months, I have discovered that there is very little I cannot get my heeler to do or learn. He has more energy and intelligence than I know what to do with. If you are looking for a canine that you can work with to accomplish a goal, a heeler is a perfect selection.
I would not suggest a heeler for someone who is away from home for extended periods of time. Heelers do not like to be alone and will rearrange your entire house if neglected. They must have space, toys, attention, supervision, companionship and mental challenges daily. Once around the block on a leash after work will simply not cut it. The more you put into training and working with your heeler, the more you will get back.