How to Train Blue Heelers

The Blue Heeler, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog, was originally bred in Australia to help ranchers herd their cattle. They are intelligent and independent and thrive when they are given a job to perform. Blue Heelers require strenuous daily exercise, such as jogging or swimming. Bored Blue Heelers may create jobs of their own, which may result in damage to your house, yard or belongings. Because of their headstrong nature, Blue Heelers require careful obedience training. Their intelligence, however, makes them very responsive to training.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Establish the rules of your home as soon as you bring your Blue Heeler into the house. Decide what your Blue Heeler is allowed to do and what it is not allowed to do. Don't waiver from these rules. If you allow your Blue Heeler to break a rule once, such as cuddling on the bed with you, this independent dog will believe it has the right to do it again.

    • 2

      Purchase or make training treats for your Blue Heeler. Take your dog's tastes into consideration. Training treats must be desirable for your Blue Heeler, to entice it to follow your commands. Treats should be bite-sized and easy to chew so that your dog can eat it quickly and refocus on the training. Hot dogs and cheese are favorites with dogs. To keep your Blue Heeler healthy, consider purchasing low-fat all natural treats from your local pet store.

    • 3

      Create a training schedule. Blue Heelers crave a job, and training on a schedule will help your dog feel as if it has one. Hold two or three training sessions a day. They should be no more than 5 to 10 minutes long so that your Blue Heeler doesn't get bored. Choose one or two commands to focus on during each session.

    • 4

      Use treats to entice your Blue Heeler to follow your commands. Your dog doesn't know what you expect of it, and the treats can help show what you mean. The treat can lure the dog into a sitting position, for example, if you hold the treat above its head, just out of reach. As your Heeler stretches its nose up to follow the treat, its rear end will lower to the ground.

    • 5

      Reward your Blue Heeler immediately when it moves in the right direction. Don't wait for it to finish the command. Do this several times until your dog starts to make a connection between your verbal command and the motion that earns it a treat. Emphasize the reward with lots of praise. Your Blue Heeler loves to please you.

    • 6

      Stop using treats as your Blue Heeler gets better and better at following commands. Reward your Heeler for moving in the right direction at first. Eventually you should reward it only for sitting all the way. After that, reward it every three or four times you give the command. Your goal is to reach the point where your Blue Heeler listens to your commands when you don't have a treat. Never stop using praise as a reward.