Australian Cattle Dog Puppy Training Tips

Like all puppies, Australian cattle dog pups come with their own set of natural instincts. Some of these behaviors are good, whereas others are a bit more worrisome, such as their natural inclination to bite. The Dog Obedience Advice website states that this breed is not recommended for the first-time dog owner, as it requires a firm and dedicated owner that will not tolerate any undesirable behavior in the least. Fortunately, there are a few tips that can help this rambunctious puppy turn into a well-behaved adult.

  1. Become Pack Leader

    • Unless you show your Australian cattle dog that you are the boss, it will never respect or obey you. This strong-willed breed is naturally dominant, as it was originally used to herd dangerous livestock without the use of humans. If you don’t show this dog who is boss, it will likely become the one in charge. Therefore, you must act in certain ways that lets the Australian cattle dog pup know that it listens and answers to you. Do this by eating first, then letting the puppy eat, suggests the Dog Breed Info Center website. If the puppy is in your way, make it move instead of you going around it. When you walk into a room, ignore the Australian cattle dog pup for a few minutes, then let it come to you. Always greet company first, as pack leaders should receive attention before those lower in the pack. Once your Australian cattle dog puppy understands who is the leader, it will start to obey and respect you.

    Exercise

    • Australian cattle dogs were born to be active and assertive. If your pup is not given the chance to be so, it will likely exhibit undesirable behaviors as a result of the pent-up energy. Therefore, go on daily walks and engage in interactive games with your Australian cattle dog pup. The K9 Web website suggests enrolling your pup in tracking, flyball and obedience and agility training. If your puppy doesn’t feel like it belongs or has a purpose in its pack, it will entertain itself as it sees fit, which could include destroying objects in your home. Exercise and spending time doing activities with its owner gives it a sense of purpose and makes the dog happier, which ultimately results in easier training.

    Stop Bad Behaviors When They Start

    • According to the CowDogz website, Australian cattle dogs have a strong natural instinct bite. This is likely due to the fact that they were bred to herd animals, which includes nipping and biting at their heels to get the job done. As soon as your puppy displays that type of behavior, it is essential to teach it that it is not acceptable or tolerable. When your puppy bites you, loudly say “ouch” and turn away from the pup. When the puppy begins to play with you again, praise it when it does so without biting. Repeat this process as needed.

      If the puppy continues to bite, loudly say “ouch” again, then grab its muzzle with your hand, look into its eyes and say “no bite.” Then, push the puppy away from you. If the puppy starts to play without biting, give it a reward. You can also tell the puppy “no,” then walk away from it. This teaches the Australian cattle dog puppy that biting results in the absence of fun. If the puppy continues to bite, consider enlisting the help of an obedience trainer.