[mathilda]

ACD are still relatively rare im my country, but the one i met were very fixated on one person, they all had a high ability to focus themself on one task, which is awesome if is training but annoying if it something else.
they were were all very attentive and extremely intelligent.
from the personality they seemed more "directly challenging" and more involved than BCs for example...less sensitive but very capable of standing their ground in a group of dogs. I like how direct they are, but this of course can also have their down sides.
they seemed like you need to be very consistent for them not to test you and since they very active you need to be willing to exercise them mentally and physically so they don't get bored.

 

[storms226]

ACD are still relatively rare im my country, but the one i met were very fixated on one person, they all had a high ability to focus themself on one task, which is awesome if is training but annoying if it something else.
they were were all very attentive and extremely intelligent.
from the personality they seemed more "directly challenging" and more involved than BCs for example...less sensitive but very capable of standing their ground in a group of dogs. I like how direct they are, but this of course can also have their down sides.
they seemed like you need to be very consistent for them not to test you and since they very active you need to be willing to exercise them mentally and physically so they don't get bored.

From my personal experience with Ember over these past few months, this is all completely accurate. She is SUPER attentive and picks things up so fast. My challenge has been keeping her attentive on the right tasks and picking up the right behaviors. She definitely stands her ground when with dogs, but will also back down when she senses she should. And oh boy does this little firecracker test me, lol - love her to pieces and she has definitely made my life interesting ♥

 

[Laurelin]

I had an ACD x BC in my house last week. Omg, totally my kind of dogs. <3 The more I meet the more it confirms it. Hank was in heaven.

Sadly found that dog's owner.

 

[TruckersMom]

My aunt has a purebred and he is 13 and except for that fact that he herds EVERYTHING he is amazing. He keeps the cats from doing what they aren't supposed to. But he does try to herd people when they come over, this does including grabbing pants legs and skirts and forcibly putting them in the correct place.

 

[Laurelin]

From my personal experience with Ember over these past few months, this is all completely accurate. She is SUPER attentive and picks things up so fast. My challenge has been keeping her attentive on the right tasks and picking up the right behaviors. She definitely stands her ground when with dogs, but will also back down when she senses she should. And oh boy does this little firecracker test me, lol - love her to pieces and she has definitely made my life interesting ♥

Hank is on with other dogs... he won't back down. Of course he's a mix and the other part is probably terrier. It can be bad because Hank isn't even 30 lbs. He's 99% of the time fine with other dogs until they start something. Then it's on and he wants to rumble. He doesn't diffuse situations at all.

He's actually been pretty easy around the house save for impulsiveness. He patterns things very easily and will even make 'rules' for himself to follow. He's often doing things before I cue things. He's generally really easy to switch into a 'work mode'.

The cattle dog x bc I found was even more like that... a little more obsessive and even more handler oriented. Seemed softer in temperament. Very similar energy style though. I really really love Hank's energy. It's the best thing about him. Nonstop crazy then crash.

I think my next two dogs (won't happen till at least after one of the paps is gone) will be a border collie or BC/ACD and then a 'real' ACD. I really feel like I've found my niche.

 

[Lumberjackmac]

My boy Bravo and I are always on the move and he never runs out of energy. He's very mischievous and nearly impossible to tire.

Right now we're on quite the adventure, riding a dirt bike around the country.

https://youtu.be/jU1AvSzESG4

It would be great to connect with some other cattle dog owners as we pass through. Feel free to reach out and let us know where you are.

Mac & Bravo

 

[andriana]

I already wrote one about Australian Cattle Dogs

 

[PrinceTay02]

I have an ACD/sheltie mix and he's the calmest dog I've ever owned. Known him since he was one, before owning him, and he always had that kinda temperament. He chewed a shoe once and that is the "worst" thing he's ever done.
He's REALLY stubborn though lol

 

[lovefree]

Dna test a dog?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MelsHeelerClub]

Hi all, I'm looking for other people's personal experiences with Australian Cattle Dogs. I'm seeing a lot of generalized information that is all the same, but I'm looking for real stories.

Have you owned one? Do you own one? What was your dog's personality? Did you have any issues you had to work through? Were they easy to train? How did you train? What did you do for exercise? Mental stimulation? Did you crate while unsupervised or gate off?

Thanks!

I'm not sure how old this thread is as I forgot to check. Hopefully this information is not too late, but here is some information on the breed based off my own research and from owning and breeding them for years.
Yes, I do own Heelers, in fact I own 6 and co-own 1. I have three that are vastly different as they are not related in anyway, no inbreeding, or line breeding in their bloodlines that tie them together. They handle situations differently, but based on breed type, they are all similar in that aspect. Based off breed type, they are sturdy, stubborn, tenacious, biddable dogs, but that comes with owning an Australian Cattle Dog. This breed is easily trained, and super willing although the same routine can become boring which is where their stubbornness comes into play. One thing that I have noticed with this breed, which has been backed up by research, is that they are prone to DA and AA (Dog aggression and Animal Aggression). This is A breed trait, not something that can be trained out, but can be managed! All my dogs have shown some type of DA, and AA, this is normal within the breed. Best way to handle this if you own multiple dogs and bitches together is to do rotations, and allow the dogs and bitches that get along to go out together. ALSO, early socialization helps with the management of DA and AA. At an early age, take them out to as many places as you possibly can, and start your obedience training early. Establish A strong recall, and sit/stay.
Yes, Heelers are relatively easy to train, but as I've stated above, the same ol' routine can get boring which is when their stubbornness pokes through; what I do to counter act this is to never do the same thing over and over, switch things up, and come back to that command. Let training be A fun experience for you and your dog!
As far as exercise, my dogs are all working bred dogs, and I have enhanced the drive to help with rodent control and feral cat control. My heelers are high drive and high energy. First thing I do is have them chase A ball, simple right, this gets their body tired, but you left out one thing, their mind. Just because you ran the dog over and over doesn't mean they have been mentally stimulated. Next thing I do is work on their heel, sit/stay, wait, come, lay down, etc.
Lastly, YES crate while unsupervised, kennel, or put onto an appropriate tie out. NEVER leave A heeler, or really any other breed of dog unsupervised in the home, or in the back yard. It is much safer to crate the animal, kennel the animal, or tie the animal then to leave them roaming.
I hope this bit of info has helped. If you have further questions, feel free to message me, or email me.

 

[Rob Riot]

Hi all, I'm looking for other people's personal experiences with Australian Cattle Dogs. I'm seeing a lot of generalized information that is all the same, but I'm looking for real stories.

Have you owned one? Yes Do you own one? He passed on a month ago What was your dog's personality? Awesome in every way. Paid very close attention to what my wife and I were doing, and you had to watch what you said around him because of his incredible comprehension of speech. Did you have any issues you had to work through? None Were they easy to train? Very easy How did you train? I wouldn't call it training really, he picked up on things naturally and was eager to learn What did you do for exercise? We have a very large fenced yard, and playing catch with a ball worked for him. Mental stimulation? He had many toys with names that we gave them. He would fetch toys by name. Did you crate while unsupervised or gate off? Never crated him ever. No need. Never chewed stuff up. Would hold his pee and poop till we got home. He did bark when left alone for a few minutes until he realized that we would be gone for a while, at which point he patiently waited for us to return. Never slept outside in his life. A true well behaved house dog

Thanks!

 

[Animals45]

Are Blue Heelers the same has Australian Cattle dogs?

 

[Lanamae55]

Hi all, I'm looking for other people's personal experiences with Australian Cattle Dogs. I'm seeing a lot of generalized information that is all the same, but I'm looking for real stories.

Have you owned one? Do you own one? What was your dog's personality? Did you have any issues you had to work through? Were they easy to train? How did you train? What did you do for exercise? Mental stimulation? Did you crate while unsupervised or gate off?

Thanks!

Hello! I am the current owner of a cattle dog that I rescued 4 months ago. She is about a year and a half old, and let me tell you, missing that first year of her life has made training much more difficult. She has been independent for a year, and so now getting her to see me as her owner, whom she should obey is a trick. The first year of a heeler's life is SO crucial for training. She is SUPER sweet, loyal and protective, but she has an independent mind which can make it hard for her to focus and listen sometimes. She has also developed leash reactivity since I got her, which we are taking training classes for. When I first got her, she was not potty-trained, and crate training was a huge help with that, and I would highly recommend it. Mental stimulation is a MUST, the more exercise, mental and physical, you can give them, the better. They will be more calm at home, and less likely to destroy your beloved things.I use clicker training with her every time we go for walks, and even during let outs, especially since she is reactive. For exercise, any open field or green space we can find, we go to and she runs and runs. At the very least, a 30-min daily walk is a MUST. These dogs have energy to BURN, and they also get their energy back VERY quickly, so sometimes 2 walks a day are needed. A farm or fenced in yard would be ideal for running. I do live in an apartment, and am aware of how a breed like hers could respond to this, which is why we are outside as much as possible every day. She is not destructive inside, and is more affectionate than most cattle dogs. Despite all the challenges that can come with this breed, if you put in the time (because boy does it take time, and LOTS of CONSISTENT training), they will love you and be loyal to you forever. Cattle dogs are very much a one owner breed, and it's a great feeling being that one person they devote their lives to.

 

[JoanneF]

Your dog sounds lovely but this thread is 7 years old so I'm closing it now. Feel free to join current discussions.