Advice please: blue heeler dog breed - Page 2

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

@conlt wrote:
I don't know much but I do remember my dog trainer (who has years of experience) say in a class once that the blue healers are quite difficult. Headstrong. I know you have to be very firm whenever you have a dog like that. That being said, I have always had Shelties and they are vocal, active dogs, love to bark. Last year, my groomer called me and told me that one of her clients granddaughter brought home a Sheltie who had been abandoned by a coworker and they were going to take him to a pound. She asked that I foster him to keep him out of the pound. I agreed and went and got the little boy, took him home and he got along well with my 2 girls and in about 2 hours I realized that this dog is a well trained wonderful dog. I took him to my vet and had his microchip read and he came from a rescue. Long story short, the lady from the rescue told me that she picked him up in a shelter, he was adopted out 3 times and brought back. These college girls adopted him then could not keep him and made up the story about him being abandoned. I ended up keeping him and the shelter agreed. I have had him 15 months now and he is a wonderful, beautiful dog with only 1 problem. He howls, LOL. When I first got him, even though he has my 2 girls with him, when I left the house he howled up a storm and he likes to bark. I am working him out of that, but I guess the moral of my story is that this rescue did not place him into the correct home. He was brought back 3 times, and headed to another rescue if I had not picked him up. I don't think the blue healer is a dog for the novice dog owner but this dog may be nice. I don't know.

I am not a dog person, but this is sad for the dog to be bounced around like this

CrazyDaisy · ‎03-20-2010

I own a cattle dog mix. She is 8 years old and I have had her since she was 8 weeks old. Oh and I live in an 800 sq ft apartment (with two dogs).

They can be very good dogs if they have an outlet for their energy (of course that is true for most any dog). They do need training so they know what is expected, they like rules and know what is expected more so than other breeds. Which also means change may need to be taken slow. Given there own devices, any dog will make poor choices. They can be protective and tend to get nervous in large groups, this may include other dog unless properly socialized.

If your friends daughter is active she may be able to exercise him. If she runs frequently or have friends who can get him out to run with them. Doggie day cares are another way to get him exercised and socialized. It is all in the amount of commitment she has to the puppy.

I the bigger issue is that he is a puppy. A puppy of any mix has a whole set of issues. This is going to be a medium size dog that needs to be house broken. He will be teething, need vet care, and training.

While I will say this breed may not be the best choice for most people it can very well work out if the person is commited to the dog. The bigger issue to a puppy in general.

Someday, when scientists discover the center of the Universe....some people will be disappointed it is not them.

Anita Bourbon · ‎06-15-2015

Bad choice. I have a young heeler but she is a true working dog on a farm and she is being trained to work with livestock. That being said whenever we have to stay indoors because of bad weather or in a hotel she starts to get very antsy and will chew on whatever she can find or bark at me. I would take the heeler to a rescue group or back to the shelter it came from immediately because it's going to end up back there sooner or later once it drives the owner completely insane. Dogs like that need to work and crating them all the time is ridiculous and cruel.

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

He was just 2 1/2 when I got him. I only had him about 2 hours when I knew I was not going to let him out of my site. He has a stable home now and is very happy with his 2 Sheltie sisters. Many people, who get Shelties, don't understand that they can be vocal, meaning bark a lot, and they have to be busy such as the Blue Healer discussed here. So they are not for everyone. In addition, Shelties must be trained from early on because they can be unsocial and fearful, making some scared and nippy. People don't realize this. My little guy could have been trained not to bark at an early age. He is very bright. When we got our first Sheltie in 1976 she was awesome and I have had them ever since. I tell my little guy that he hit the Lotto jackpot, he has a fully fenced yard, 2 sisters to play with and a stable home. God gave him to me for a reason as I was not looking for a dog that day, he just entered my life and I love him very much.

LImom · ‎03-09-2010

The dog from Mad Max. Love the breed, but I think they are best suited to a farm. That's a real working dog.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@homedecor1. What happened to the Blue Heeler? Inquiring minds want to know, especially the ones that took time to reply to you.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

Sorry on a family vacation at Jersey shore🎉🎉 I haven't heard yet how they resolved the "family" issue.

When I posted the parents were very upset about that decision! I will update as I'm away. My feeling is the boyfriend loves the dog (he lives with her) and the dog will stay.

jaxs mom · ‎04-18-2012

They are working dogs ( but not hounds) and they will herd you, your kids and your other pets. I wouldn't say that the apartment is too small but the dog will need to be walked at least once a day for exercise other than it's usual potty needs. They can be stubborn and as most herding breeds are, tend to follow their own rules if you don't put a lot of time into training them.

Don't Change Your Authenticity for Approval

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@homedecor1. What happened to the Blue Heeler? Inquiring minds want to know, especially the ones that took time to reply to you.

Well I just talked to my friend and DOG/boyfriend are keepers! My friend said her daughter is relying on her boyfriend to care for him...he doesn't start new job until 9/5. She starts medical school 9/24. Apparently, she's rounded up some new friends to walk dog during school hours, etc.Her only complaint is he "whines" and barks thru the nite to go out. Her answer is he's a puppy!

im sure more tales will come but for now that's what they have decided to do. Parents are furious as they are worried for daughter and boyfriend is lazier than a slug that the dog will destroy house for which they pay for! Oh well......

Another new name Sue · ‎03-11-2010

Sounds like an inappropriate dog for these people, and I don't blame the parents for being unhappy. Right now they are in the "honeymoon" period with the dog; later, it won't be so much fun. Walks aren't a lot of exercise for heelers, they need genuine running exercise, chasing a ball, playing with other dogs, etc. Crated for hours at a time, unless it's tired, sounds miserable. I hope it all works out and turns out to be a good home.