How to Train Your Blue Heeler to Herd Cattle

Herding cattle is easy for many blue heelers. Depending upon the dog, no herding training may be necessary. Many blue heelers respond best to whistle commands than verbal, and others prefer a more tasty approach. Choose a high-quality treat for rewards and begin the training as soon as the puppy can walk and eat on its own. Practice a relaxed and positive approach with your blue heeler and you both will enjoy a more rewarding training experience.

Things You'll Need

  • Long leash, 30 inches
  • Reward treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Separate your blue heeler from cattle or other distractions. Teach the dog basic commands including, "sit," "stay" and "down" with the heeler on a leash. Present award treats to the dog after each obedient action and praise the dog verbally. Teach the dog to follow you, to run with you, and to walk beside you. Pet the dog for praise in conjunction with the other rewards.

    • 2

      Practice the commands without the leash attached. Continue the reward system as works for you. If you feel one reward doesn't work, vary it accordingly.

    • 3

      Enter a situation with distractions with your dog, such as a family picnic or a park where other dogs may be present. Keep the dog on the leash and practice the commands. If the dog reacts positively, practice the commands without the leash in another situation with distractions.

    • 4

      Present a sheep or cattle situation experience to your dog. Blue heelers have high herding instincts, so pay attention to your dog's individual behavior. Give your dog a chance to show what it knows. If the herding is going well, call the dog to you and reward. Go over commands and reward accordingly. If the herding doesn't go well instinctively, move the dog back to a situation with less distractions and continue working on commands, adding distractions slowly, taking a more subtle approach.

    • 5

      Look for behaviors including bouncing. Blue heelers often jump or bounce, while waiting on a command to herd. If you see this behavior, use a herding command with your dog.

    • 6

      Vary the herding size of the cattle, if the instinct herding test didn't prove positive. Teach the dog to herd small cattle numbers while on the long leash. Conduct the training process three times a week, adding whistles and herding verbal commands. "Slow down," "away to me" or "get back" are positive commands to train at this stage. "That'll do" is a command to give the dog with a reward for a job well done.