The Australian Cattle Dog is a busy, strong-minded herding dog that needs daily physical and mental exercise. As the name suggests, this breed of dog was developed in Australia for moving livestock over long distances and it maintains that sturdy work ethic to this day.
How to Train an Australian Cattle Dog
Begin training as a puppy and continue throughout your dog’s life. Even Australian Cattle Dogs that live as pets maintain strong herd dynamics. His desire to chase animals and moving objects is strong. To help Cattle Dogs succeed, focus on:
- manners training
- surveillance
- careful management (keep away from other pets and small children, especially without supervision by using dog gates or a dog room)
Early and appropriate socialization is essential. Socialization is a key developmental period in a puppy’s life from 5 to 16 weeks. The positive and negative experiences Australian Cattle Dog puppies have during this time can influence their temperament and behavior for the rest of their lives.
During this time, introduce your Australian Cattle Dog to friendly people, dogs and other animals. This breed of dog has a reputation for being very talkative and biting, especially if someone rushes past them on foot, bike, or skateboard. This behavior comes naturally, so include careful training and exposure to a wide variety of situations and stimuli in your early socialization to desensitize Cattle Dog puppies to these case/breeding triggers.
Keep training consistent and positive throughout their life. Just because the Australian Cattle Dog has a reputation for being a tough or difficult dog breed to train doesn’t mean they need rigorous training. Australian Cattle Dogs thrive on clear and consistent positive reinforcement training approaches. These dogs bond deeply with their people and do best when they have a strong working relationship with their family. They enjoy learning and growing in homes where they are taught new things.
How tall is an Australian Cattle Dog?
Australian Cattle Dogs are also known as Blue, Red or Queensland Heelers. These muscular and compact medium-sized dogs weigh between 35 and 50 pounds and stand between 17 and 20 inches if you measure at the shoulder.
Are Australian Cattle Dogs good with children and other pets?
These dogs are often not suitable for small animals as they may attempt to hunt and herd. Australian Cattle Dogs may also be tempted to babysit young children. Early training can teach them how to interact safely with children. Like all dogs, Australian Cattle Dogs should always be supervised around babies and children.
The best jobs for Australian Cattle Dogs
These dogs need rigorous daily mental and physical exercise and enrichment to be happy and healthy. Smart and active, they won’t just be hanging out on the couch or being home alone all day. Australian Cattle Dogs pack a big personality into a relatively small package. They were bred to work cattle, which are much larger than them and retain the strong work drive they were bred to do.
Even if you don’t have livestock to herd (which most of us don’t!), find meaningful work, like running together, practicing new tricks, playing fetch, or helping with household chores. A great way to engage and spend time with your Australian Cattle Dog is to participate in dog sports such as:
Australian Cattle Dogs excel in active homes where they can use their body and mind. Daily enrichment is a must for these dogs who are bored, depressed, and hard to live with if they don’t get enough mental and physical exercise. They will easily become destructive for entertainment.
Need help with your Australian Cattle Dog?
If you feel overwhelmed by your Australian Cattle Dog, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. An experienced dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement training techniques can find ways to provide appropriate work/enrichment for your dog. A trainer can also solve any behavior problems. Find other Australian Cattle Dog fans at the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America.
