How to Care for a Blue Heeler

The blue heeler, bred to herd cattle, is a dominant, highly intelligent dog breed that requires much time and patience to train. Early training is the key to a happy life with your blue heeler.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric Dog Clippers
• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Beds
• Dog Bones
• Dog Bristle Brushes
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Collars
• Dog Combs
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Flea/tick Control Medication
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Tags
• Dog Toys
• Dog Training Aids
• Dog Treats
• Doghouses And Doors
• Holiday Dog Toys
• Muzzles
• Nail Clippers For Dogs
• Pet Doors
• Dog Shampoo
• Frisbees
• Flying Discs
• Frisbees

1. Vaccinate your blue heeler when you acquire it, and follow up with yearly booster vaccinations to maintain the dog's immunity to diseases. Worm your adult dog every three months, and consult your veterinarian about defleaing products.

2. Take your blue heeler to obedience training as soon as you can. Because of blue heelers high level of intelligence and energy, they can quickly get out of control.

3. Train your blue heeler with positive reinforcement, and teach it to be gentle with children. Blue heelers have a tendency to herd young children.

4. Exercise your blue heeler once or twice daily. These energetic dogs enjoy running and are good companions for runners.

5. Keep your blue heeler on its leash while walking it. Because blue heelers are a dominant breed, they can be aggressive with other dogs and people.

6. Provide chewable toys for your blue heeler. This breed will chew everything in the house if it doesn't have a toy or bone to chew on at all times.

7. Feed your blue heeler dog food that has meat as its primary ingredient - if you want a quality product. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Also, the fiber content needs to be 4 percent or less.

8. Trim your blue heeler's toenails regularly, about every two to three weeks.

9. Comb and brush your blue heeler's coat with a firm-bristled brush. The blue heeler's coat, which stays relatively clean, is resistant to harsh weather and will not need to be washed frequently.

10. Note that a blue heeler that has been spayed or neutered will shed about twice a year, in very big clumps. A female that has not been fixed will shed after each heat cycle. Bathe your blue heeler in warm baths, and brush it frequently so that it doesn't shed all at once.

11. Know that blue heelers are prone to hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint), progressive retinal atrophy (progressive damage to the retina) and deafness.

Tips & Warnings

• Blue heelers will weigh between 35 and 50 pounds by the time they reach maturity, with a height of 17 to 20 inches at the withers (the highest part of the back).
• Some blue heelers will have a "Bentley mark" - a white blaze on their forehead.
• Remember that blue heelers are bright dogs that need constant mental stimulation. They like to learn new tricks and be included in family activities.
• Because of their agility, blue heelers are great at games such as catching Frisbees.
• Contact the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to learn more about hip dysplasia in blue heelers.
• Blue heelers have been known to nip at the heels of humans, much like they do with the cattle they are herding. Children should avoid running near your blue heeler when you are training it, as the dog may chase and nip the child.
• This breed of dog is not easy to train. Be prepared to be rigorous and tough in your training if you decide to own a blue heeler.
• Blue heelers may respond with hostility if they are treated harshly or with force.

[lisser]

on 8/10/2009 We have a heeler/border collie mix 1 1/2 years old. She is a great dog. Easy to train, crate trained, loyal, sweet, loving. The only problem is she has attacked our yorkie poo 3 times already. the first just a bite on the top of the head. The 2nd time I pulled her off, and today she got her really good and was going to kill her but I pryed her mouth open and then laid on her until the little dog could get away. She is at the vets getting stitches for three gashes. She had her by the throat shaking her. My husband says we have to get rid of her but I love her so much and don't want to. Is there anyone that has had this problem and do they get more aggressive? It is always over food, toys, or treats that she attacks her. I can't let her kill my little dog, I had her first and have to protect her. What do I do?

[mas005]

on 4/26/2009 I just picked up a blue heeler puppy and have had two in the past, but this one will not come to me. Is there anyway or tricks to get her to come? She is almost a year old, and I am not sure what went on with the owner before me. I have also tried treats. Thanks.

[blueredheelers]

on 3/6/2009 We have a female red heeler who is about 6 years old she chose us. She just came to our house and stayed! She is very loving and actually calm. Our blue heeler is a male and he just turned 1yrs.old, he is very hyper and loves to chew but he is very loving too. He loves to play fresbie and run.It's a good thing we have almost 6 acres! He is so big he sounds like a horse when he runs. My 4 year old loves him, he does very well around her, we have spent a lot of time teaching him not to jump up on her. We also have a 7 year old male yorkie, when we let him outside the heelers are very good to him, all they do is sniff him, they are not rough with him. The red heeler lets my daughter brush her as long as she wants to, she even let's her put bows in her hair! I think all dog's need attention and discipline to be a well manored dog, we are big on making the dog's mind us . They have all been

[LawlersBlueAK]

on 11/20/2008 Who’s the boss here? Do not be afraid to discipline your heeler. A rolled up newspaper or wooden spoon will soon have them listening well. Luck for us our 9 month blue male is the sweetest boy. With discipline comes love and he truly wants to be a good boy & learn all we can teach him. I could only hope he will become a more aggressive blue heeler. Your animal has to completely trust you in order for your heeler to become all they can be. Sincerely, The Heeler Family

[dogsnmoredogs]

on 11/13/2008 I too have a blue heeler, rescued her from a shelter that was being closed down for obvious reasons, poor girl. She is 5 yrs old and lived in a kennel and was only taken out for a walk on concrete once per day. She has been with us for a week and she is marvelous! Very timid, but smart as a whip! I have 6 resuce dogs now and she is in heaven. No nipping yet, but she is herding the "muttly crew" and they are loving it. She is loving and loyal and incredibly quit to learn. She picked up on day 2 to come, sit, wait and resume...very patient, loves to find where on the 3 acres I have hidden the chewey...she finds it every time, even if up one of the trees...beats my coonhound and lab/hound mix every time...LOL. I know she is not the norm, given she spent her first 5 yrs in prison, but I would expect her to be shy, overly leary of people and prone to agression...but nothing so far. A joy of