Greetings Does anyone out there have any experience with a breed known as either the Cattle Dog or Heeler? I got a smallish female, about 33 lbs, named Lacy. She is the "Red" type, meaning she is white with reddish-brown face with a white blaze, and spots. She was a stray in a "bad" part of a nearby city. Ads went out looking for the owner - nobody answered. I wouldn't give her back now anyway - as we love her. I've read up on the breed, very smart, easy to train need lots of exercise and human contact. Not for the average city dweller. There lies the problem, I'm a city dweller, ok sized back yard, I may get a 30 min walk in with her 3 or 4 nights a week, and some one on one time with her for a few min each night. Seems this type of dog will herd just about anything, and she constantly nibbles at my feet and hands and will trip me if I don't shuffle my feet as I walk. (We named her Lacy because she chews our shoe laces) This trait is very scary to my 6 yr old and other neighboring kids, which the internet mentions also. Also - she will chew anything - so my back yard has been trashed, and my son has lost many toys to her. My question - should I be training her to not do those things that make her a danger in the home situation, or encourage those traits that seem to be so natural to her. Not sure where I could take her to practice the herding skill were I live, not a lot of livestock around here. I think some of the problems may go away as she ages, the vet says she is about 2 yrs old now. Think just basic obedience training will help? Thank you for any suggestions.
I'd take her along to dog treaining classes ASAP. These traits won't cure themselves but will only become worse. YOU have to be the pack leader in the home and Lacy has to learn her place in the pecking order. You can't have your six year old being scared by the things your pet does. The internet can be a good source of information but you have to take things into your own hands to actually train Lacy and have her behave in a way that will benefit you, your family and your lifestyle. Good luck.
I will take her to obedience training as soon as I can find a Saturday class starting. She will be easy to train as she seams very smart. I've been through the training before with other dogs, and I'm a faithful follower of "The Dog Whisperer". She is so sweet and has many many great traits, it just frustrates the heck out of us. Thank you -
I used to have one, those behaviors will NOT go away with age. As far as training them out of her, all modern dog breeds arrived the way they are by careful, deliberate breeding. Lacy has no need to direct a flock of sheep, so though training them out of her will be difficult, it's best in the long run (she'll know when she's frightened or disappointed you and won't know why until she's taught to behave properly.) Obedience training involves some things that might seem harsh, but remember, what a heeler wants most is to please the Alpha animals, in this case you. She will flourish in an environment where she knows what is expected of her. (can you tell I'm a little tiney bit opinionated on this point, lol!)
my mum has two border collies both arrived with her at an older age and the traits do not get ironed out easily the younger you start the training the better and as critter said they want to please, the problem with them is the more intelligent the breed the more mischief they get into when they are bored, they need stimulation to remain a good house pet this can be achieved by the use of toys, a good one we get here has the Brand name Kong which you can fill with treats and they roll the toy around and slowly the treats slip out, they are made of hard rubber and last well (usually) bored dogs are trouble, training classes are ideal starter point to teach both dog and owner how to work together, good luck and I hope Lacy becomes a well behaved member of the family
Yes, quality toys go a long way to keep them occupied. I've invested in a few. Just wish there were more hours in the day to spend quality time with her. I've been thinking of those gagets you attach to a bike to hold the dog leash a safe distance to give them a work out. I dont think I could walk fast enough to get her tired out, and I'm too old to learn how to roller blade! Thank you for your input.
