How to Keep Your Blue Heeler Pup From Nipping

Blue heelers, or Australian cattle dogs, come from a family of dogs classified as herding dogs. Herding dogs are typically full of energy and require exercise. In addition, blue heelers are bred to work on farms and nip at the heels of livestock to keep them moving or with the herd, according to Australian Cattle Dogs Info. This breed of dog, though, is not considered vicious and the urge to nip can be harnessed with training and patience. Mental and physical exercise is especially important for owners of this intelligent breed, which can get bored easily. Training should start at puppyhood and continue for the life of the dog. Keep in mind that blue heelers like to have a job, whether it be working with livestock on a farm or corralling toys. Teaching a puppy not to bite will not happen in a day. Just like with any other dog training, it takes a lot of work and patience.

Things You'll Need

  • Training aids
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Instructions

    • 1

      Leave a new puppy with the mother and rest of the litter for at least two months. Interaction with other dogs helps a puppy learn naturally how much bite is too much at a young age.

    • 2

      Begin teaching your puppy basic commands such as "sit," "stay," "down" and ̶0;no̶1; as soon as you bring it home. Work with the puppy on basic training each day. Consider enrolling in a puppy kindergarten or beginner's obedience class with your puppy. The group environment will help socialize the puppy and help you learn how to communicate effectively with your dog.

    • 3

      Use a stern ̶0;no̶1; with the puppy if it nips at your hands or fingers. Avoid striking the dog because that can scare a puppy and make it afraid of human contact.

    • 4

      Reward good behavior in your puppy. Provide treats or click, if you are using the clicker method of training, when play does not involve nipping. Pet the puppy and use kind words in a happy voice.

    • 5

      Yelp or whine if the puppy continues to nip to help discourage biting. Make a noise that is loud and almost mimics the sound another dog would make if bitten to signal to the puppy that nipping is bad.

    • 6

      Give the blue heeler puppy plenty of chew toys and to teach it what is acceptable to put in its mouth. Reward and praise the puppy for chewing on the appropriate toys.

    • 7

      Enroll in an obedience class if nipping does not stop. By the time a puppy is 10 weeks old, it should understand that biting is unacceptable, according to Australian Cattle Dogs Info.