Australian Cattle Dog Training

Australian Cattle Dog Training Tips, Tricks, and Insights to Raising a Happy Heeler

How to Raise an Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) Intelligent, energetic, and most of all, herding minded, these dogs are a challenge and a pleasure. For more than a decade, I have had the privilege of raising Yusuke, my Australian Cattle Dog.

My first article on this topic generated a significant amount of inquiries regarding training, behavior, and care, so I decided to revisit the topic with updated advice, as well as personal insights, to help you raise your own Heeler into a well adjusted companion.

Overcoming Boredom with Toys

One big problem a lot of ACD owners encounter is their dog getting bored with toys quickly. Yusuke was no different and would often quit playing with a toy to pursue something else. So, I countered this with a toy rotation and regular swapping of toys.

I stoked his interest by presenting a new toy every few weeks and by digging up old ones he hadn't seen in a while. It also helped teach him how to fetch, something he didn't grasp at first but eventually loved.

Physical toys will not be enough mental exercises are also important. I would hide treats around the house, and Yusuke would find them. It was mentally stimulating and also helped expend some of his endless energy.

Training Without Treats

People often assume treats are a necessary part of the process, but what if your Heeler doesn't eat treats?

Yusuke never liked conventional dog treats and would often spit them out and walk away.

I had more success with his regular dog food. He can do a task correctly, and I'll give him a piece of kibble. For him, this was just as satisfying as a treat. I relied very much on verbal praise the big good boy and "yay" to reinforce good behavior. This made training immensely more fun and effective for both me and my dog over time.

Potty Training Challenges

Australian Cattle Dog Potty Training (Housebreaking) With Yusuke, I established a routine, setting alarms throughout the night to prevent him from whining. There is a general rule of thumb that dogs can hold their bladder for an hour for every month of age they are, plus one hour. For Yusuke, this was true, and establishing a tight schedule helped avoid mishaps.

Crate Training and Whining

Many ACD owners will have to deal with crate training, which can present its challenges. Perhaps the most common concern readers had was how to cope with a Heeler whining in the crate. The key here is patience. Never take your dog out of the crate when they're whining, though, because this only reinforces the behavior.

Instead, wait for a moment of silence and then release your dogs. From this realization, Yusuke quickly discovered that whining didn't grant freedom, and subsequently, this tactic performed wonders. Eventually, he began to see the crate as a protective, cozy space, his "den" reserved for relaxation and downtime.

Preventing ''Heeling'' Behavior

Australian Cattle Dogs are also known for their strong herd instinct that can lead to painful ankle nipping or "heeling''. Yusuke went through a phase of biting my ankles, and my husband’s was not hard, but with all the pain of an annoying Tuesday morning.

The answer was steady, instantaneous rectification. Whenever he nipped, we would say "No" in a firm voice and bring him to a halt. He was so smart that everyone understood that the moment he did something wrong, they would scold him. Over time, this paid off, and he outgrew the heeling stage.

We worry, What if I don't feel an attachment toward my baby?

What about separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is an issue with most Australian Cattle Dogs, as they are known as "Velcro dogs'' wanting to be near their owners at all times. To teach Yusuke about boundaries, I used a baby gate to keep him separate from me and my husband when necessary, especially if he had been acting out.

The brief separation was a mild consequence for undesirable behavior. However, I was careful never to utilize the crate as a punishment space, as I wanted Yusuke to always associate it with comfort and safety.

Thank you so much for reading my work! Any feedback or support that you have to offer is accepted and appreciated.