Behavior/Training

The Australian Cattle Dog, also known by the names the Blue and Red Heeler depending on their coat coloring is a high-energy and extremely smart cattle herding breed. They are not big dogs compared to many other breeds used as guard dogs. So, can a Blue Heeler be a good guard dog? Are Blue Heelers … Read more

If you have an Australian Cattle Dog you may have already caught them stealing food. Counter surfing, raiding the trash can, and breaking into cupboards can be fun for a Blue Heeler. They can tend to be scavengers and can be opportunists. If they spot an opportunity to grab some food off the table or … Read more

Do Blue Heelers do well with cats? Are Australian Cattle Dogs, (Blue and Red Heeler) good with cats? They have a bad reputation when it comes to getting along with cats. Is this true or not? A well-socialized and trained Blue Heeler, in most cases, will get along fine with a cat in the home. … Read more

Are behavior problems common in Blue Heelers? Behavior problems can develop in Blue Heelers such as destructive behavior, nuisance barking, digging, and herding behavior. These usually come as the result of insufficient exercise and mental stimulation, inconsistency in providing rules, boundaries, and expectations, lack of socialization, and their natural herding drive. Aggression in Australian Cattle … Read more

Are Blue Heelers aggressive? The Australian Cattle Dog does have a reputation for being aggressive. However, this is not necessarily true. They were bred to herd and control cattle and show no fear. Often what is perceived to be aggression is actually their instinctive herding drive and strong protective nature. Every dog is an individual … Read more

Do Blue Heelers bark a lot? Australian Cattle Dops are not known to be excessive barkers in general. Usually, if they do it is while being protective of the home. However, any dog can develop nuisance barking behavior due to anxiety, attention-seeking, boredom, overexcitement, or other possible causes. The good news is that if a … Read more

A common behavior issue that many Australian Cattle Dog owners face is their dog jumping up on them or other people. This behavior can be frustrating for you and can cause you embarrassment when they jump up on other people. Your dog can also unintentionally cause harm or injury to you or someone else. If … Read more

Are Blue Heelers clingy and needy dogs? Yes, Australian Cattle Dogs bond very closely with their owners and often attach to one person in particular. This means they can become quite clingy dogs that will follow you everywhere always wanting to know where you are and what you are doing. This needy behavior can also … Read more

Are Australian Cattle Dogs diggers? Yes, many Blue Heelers can be diggers. Digging is a natural instinctive behavior for dogs. However, if your Blue Heelers is doing unwanted digging it is probably due to something they are not getting such as sufficient exercise and stimulation. Although you can’t train an instinct out of a dog, … Read more