#AustralianCattleDog 

I did ALOT of socializing with my heeler her first two years- took her everywhere everyday interacting with strangers and used to all kinds of places - sights and sounds. She’s done great but Even so, she isn’t comfortable as an older adult with strangers if they approach close to us.

We got so lucky with my Blue Heeler, we got him from a Humane Society. They told us he's around 2 ish??? He's THE BEST DOG I'VE EVER HAD! He's protective, obedient and soooooo sweet. I'm so glad I got my Ozzy in my life!

I have a 6yr old half heeler, half mexican street dog. It is so annoying having to explain to people not every dog likes being pet and smothered. She just tolerates it but if a stranger randomly tries to pet her, she will dodge it and go to me. I wish more people understood that these creatures have their own autonomy and shouldn't be expected to love and crave attention.

Great video! Only thing I will say, from my experience, is that I would discourage people from putting their hand out to let a dog smell them. This is the exact move that triggered my heeler to bite people. He was fine if strangers ignored him but got uncomfortable and often reacted with a bite if they tried to pet him. So, reaching a hand out was a big no for us. Everything else in this video is awesome! Good, helpful info! Thanks!

I am a temporary owner of a year old red heeler male . He was an owner surrender. I have had him here for around 5 weeks . He is indeed a very busy dog . I never knew just how much energy or how very smart these babies are . I learned quickly to just keep him busy . Mainly just playing ball . I bought a ball blaster for him that we use on our property . My issue is he has some food resource guarding issues . I do feed him alone , I can feed him by hand at times reminding him to be gentle . Would you have any suggestions to work on with him with his resource food guarding issue? He was nearly adopted but the evening before transport the people changed their minds. I couldn’t let him go to boarding because he would go nuts this is why he is here with me . He does nicely with my foster pups as well. His name is moochie.

I didn't know how to properly socialize my pup. He is now 2.5yo and selectively reactive. Some dogs we pass with no more than interest, others he "stares and stalks" (poor manners), some he goes full on lunging and crazy. Still working with him. Hoping over time and with practice it will be more manageable. Thanks for the vid!

My girl is great in all situations unless she's on the lead and I'm sitting down then she's just not comfortable with anything getting too close.

The thing that sucks is that here in Sweden very very few stores allow u to even enter with a dog. It's basically pet stores and some rare occasions you'll find other stores. A mall for example would be so good to work on a dog with a lot of stimulation.

EXCELLENT VIDEO; EXCELLENT ADVICE. The most serious affliction to a dog is lack of adequate socialization. So I agree that socialization before your puppy has every shot is worthwhile (as do experts), and I also agree that the exception to that is going to dog park before your dog is fully vaxxed. I find dog parks also worthwhile for your dog meeting people.

My older one knows when we get near the one Home Depot where he is absolutely spoiled by one cashier there...only 4 times has Jimi gotten angry with people. The 1st time? A guy was approaching my youngest kid (a girl that the Eastern European women called 'the model' from a baby) and Jimi was not going to let him get near her. I trust his senses with people. Same kid? Now has a Maine Coon kitten and Jimi & the kitten play/wrestle- they even eat together

My cattle dog doesn't like the leaf blower or the vacuum.

Great video! Do you believe it’s possible to re-socialize a 7 year old dog?

This is a great video! Thank you!

This is fantastic advice and does an amazing job explaining why training and socializing is important. Your footage really highlights what a good training-outing looks like as well. I really appreciate the comment regarding the leaf blower and how it should have been addressed while your dog was a puppy. This is a great reflection and example of how diligent all owners must be while training their dog. It also helps to set expectations for new dog owners as even a very well trained and socialized dog can have fears and other issues that need to be addressed. My dog was socialized in a busy downtown area, she does not bat an eye at very loud noises, busses/trucks blowing by, people shouting, etc... But she witnessed someone fall off their skateboard while she was a puppy and still has a fear of anything that sounds like a skateboarder.

i saw these videos 5 years too late lol now i’m spending lots of money on training for his fear aggression/reactivity… oh the things i would do all over again!

All good advice 👍Heeler reactivity is no joke, and even when you do everything right, you still have to be prepared to work on minor reactivity/fear quirks in their adult stage. I liked that you pointed out that socialization with this breed never stops, it's a full time gig.

👍 Хорошие советы. Начинаю применять.

The nature to herd has mine nipping/pulling at my other dogs hind leg and ears. He listens to leave it immediately but he doesn't understand not to bite at all. Any advice?

I love cowboy your heeler, he is the best! Now my life and my heeler's life are the exact opposite of yours so there is absolutely no comparison. I live in a remote area of a sparsely populated western state and I have been pretty much snowed in at 4,800 feet since november, today we got another 6 inches of snow. My baby boy is 10 months old and has been isolated, virtually around no one except a few neighbors who are hostile towards us. It was a property dispute 6 yrs ago. Yes I have property and am very active. I go out 3 x per day with him for 30- 60 min and we have an excercise track that I cut out in the snow and we hike around the track. We are off a heavily traveled farming road and I have trained him not to chase the farming equipment, we have a horse run by with a rider on the horse and he doesnt chase it, we have fed ex and ups and neighbors vehicles going up the easment and he listens when I say NO and give a treat. The other day a huge labrador puppy and and older lab walked on the property, I panicked but he ran up and sniffed them and started playing. He refuses to get in his crate to go anywhere ,and my husband had to fight him to get into the crate to go to the vets and get weighed. He was surprisingly good inside the vets. I know as soon as the snow melts, he needs intensive crate training and to go in public to see other, pets and people. You have a good dog and good information. Thank you

I got my Texas heeler when he was 3 months old and he is now 8 months old and I used to take him everywhere but we moved to an apartment from my mountain house. He has always barked at strangers when they come to my house but he just wanted a pat. He barks ferociously at all other animals but once he smells them he then starts trying to play. He’s been around my 2 year old granddaughters and all my family members but he still barks at certain people. He plays with my daughters pit and has from day one. Thanks for the advice and I’ve tried it all he’s still a mess.

I have the opposite problem. My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is hyper social and whenever she has a chance to talk to other people she's completely unteachable. Despite spending countless hours and hiring a private trainer trying to work on her ignoring distractions, she is incapable of taking a walk down the street if there's even a hint of anyone in their gardens or in the distance. She gets so worked up she starts shaking. Even in our own garden, she will bite our fence and almost injure herself trying to get to people in the neighboring gardens.

I have three heelers that work cattle. I agree on the start early and I start mine early. I have heard folks say you dont need to do anything with them much before 6 months. If you wait that long you are screwed.

I have 301 dog years of healer experience.. Pro Tip: If you don't have stock to work and live in an apartment, DO Not even think about getting a healer. If they don't have space and if they don't have work you will not like the dog and the dog will not like its life.

We got a healer almost 2 years ago as a puppy. We didn’t have time with her at the beginning with kids and life. Now she’s not social at all and barks at everyone. Do I still have time to save her? She recently got into a bad fight with our pit lab mix and we almost lost her. We have them separated and it’s starting to get old doing it, thinking about surrendering the pit mix and just work on the blue heeler. Thoughts? Thank you!

How tall is Cowboy at the shoulder...I have a Cattle Dog but he appears to have longer legs he's about 22" at his shoulders. I met both of his parents and both are heelers...one blue and one red....just curious thx

Hi, do you have an email address? I have a few questions about cowboy

This was so helpful thank you