How to Train an Older Heeler

Heelers, also known as Australian cattle dogs, are highly intelligent dogs with a strong will that can make training them fun and easy -- as long as it's done the right way. Dealing with an older dog can be more challenging than training a puppy, as an older heeler will already have established habits both good and bad. Using these established habits when working with the dog can make training easier, and understanding the dog's point of view is key. Old dogs can be taught new tricks, however, and patience and understanding will result in a lifelong companion.

Things You'll Need

  • Toys
  • Treats
  • Crate
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Instructions

    • 1

      Establish your dog's behavior patterns, and decide what needs to be worked on. Adult dogs come from a variety of different backgrounds, and understanding the heeler's good and bad habits will make it easier to establish where training should begin. If the dog has not been taught the basics that all puppies should know -- such as housebreaking -- that's a place to start.

    • 2

      Establish a relationship with your heeler. These are dogs that will bond very, very strongly to one individual in the family, and once that bond is created, they can go from an obstinate, headstrong dog to one that is eager to please their chosen person. Spend time with the heeler, pet him and play with him, make being around you a pleasant experience. This will not happen overnight -- and may take weeks with an older dog -- but will be worth the time and effort and is a process that can be done alongside training.

    • 3

      Get the heeler used to a crate. This can be a valuable step; if the dog isn't housebroken, it can make this process easier, as an adult dog will be able to hold his bladder until taken outside and will quickly learn not to soil his bedding, but in the appropriate spot. Even if the dog is housebroken, establishing his crate as his own den will give him a sense of belonging in a new household. For an adult dog that has been adopted, rescued or rehomed, this can go a long way in making him comfortable.

    • 4

      Reinforce any good behavior consistently. Adult heelers are always observing and always learning, so giving positive feedback, praise and petting when they have done good will go a long way in establishing the relationship between you and your dog. Adult dogs aren't like puppies, and intelligent adults like heelers don't miss a thing.

    • 5

      Exercise, and exercise often. Heelers are bred to be hard-working herding dogs, and will need several hours of hard exercise each day in order to wear them out. While puppies will be asleep after short bursts of energy, adults will need long walks, runs or games in the yard. A tired heeler will be a much more obedient one, and will be much more likely to listen to commands if he's not bouncing off the walls with energy. Set him up to be successful.

    • 6

      Make him work for the treats. As working dogs, an adult heeler will thrive when given a job to do. Learning his training is his job, and treat it as such. Within this job, set up a clear reward system. When he succeeds, he gets praise and a treat. When he fails, he gets nothing. This will not only help him learn faster, but will reinforce your status as the alpha who is responsible for giving out rewards and punishments.