Instructions
Establish a relationship with your red heeler. These dogs bond very strongly to one person, and this bond will make training much easier as they will be not only eager to learn but eager to please the person they have chosen as their own. Spend quality time with the dog from day one -- this means hanging out in the backyard, cuddling on the couch, playing with toys and teaching the basics.
Teach him when it is appropriate to bite and chew. Red heelers get their name from the herding methods they were bred to do -- these dogs nip at the heels of cattle in order to get them to move. While this might work well in the field, this inherited behavior can be highly undesirable in the home. Never use your fingers or hands as chew toys, and when the dog bites give him a verbal scolding and redirect that biting to something appropriate, like a chew toy.
Socialize the heeler with all kinds of shapes and sizes of people and animals. Another trait bred into these dogs is a protectiveness of their herd -- which is you. Unsocialized dogs can be unfriendly, wary of strangers and unfamiliar animals, and have a tendency to bite. One of the basics of training is to get the dog accepting of strangers with no hostility; this will avoid a number of problems when the dog is an adult.
Establish yourself as the alpha. Heelers are extremely headstrong dogs, and if they feel their human owners aren't up to the challenge of being the boss they will gladly take over that role themselves. Getting them to obey commands given by someone they feel they outrank is next to impossible. Feed them after you, give regular belly rubs to put them in a submissive position, groom and touch the dog all over to establish yourself as the boss.
Start small and build upwards. Hold a treat above the dog's head to get him into a sitting position, and couple this with the word "Sit!" -- or whatever key word you wish to use. Calling his name when he is walking toward you to teach him to come, pushing him down when he jumps are also important steps in training, as well as establishing the boundaries of where in the house he is allowed and where he is not allowed. Setting up these guidelines will ensure that you always have control of his movements and will make further training much easier.
How to Train a Red Heeler
Red heelers, also known as Australian cattle dogs or Queensland heelers, are incredibly intelligent dogs who are eager to learn. While this means they learn new things quickly and easily, this is true for both good and bad habits. Successfully training a red heeler means creating a strong foundation on which to build and establishing a relationship with the dog in the process. Red heelers are very attached to their owners, so beginning with a relationship is an important way to start.