Blue Heeler Training Tips

The Blue Heeler is an Australian cattle herding dog extremely popular for their physical activities, high energy, intelligence, cautiousness and willfulness. They are medium in size, weigh not more than 30 pounds and need a skillful owner to handle their high level of activities. Blue Heelers are also commonly referred as Australian cattle dogs. They are blue speckled and some might also have have black, blue or tan markings on the head. So are you eager to train your dog, here are some Blue Heeler training tips.

Blue Heeler Dog Training

While training a Blue Heeler you have to work with his natural instinct of a herding dog. The name 'Heeler' comes from the dog's habit of nipping at cattle's, sometimes even people's heels, while herding them.

Training a Blue Heeler is almost the same job as of training any other dog. Just that, with the enormous energy and willfulness, it might take some more time to puzzle out who is training whom.
Remember that knowing your dog well is the key to successfully train him. Know his requirements like when he needs to go to the bathroom or when he is in a mood to play. Take the charge as a dog trainer confidently, just have a good attitude. Keep in mind, don't start any training while you are in a bad mood.

Start the training with exercise. Physical activity of a Blue Heeler is very important as they have lot of energy and endurance. He should know his name, so that you can always call his name and he'll understand that he is being told something. So, the first step of training your Blue Heeler is that he should know his name. You can do this by calling him, talking to him, patting him and waving hand to call him while taking his name. You can clap or whistle while calling him by his name to help him understand.

If you want him to sit, say 'sit followed by his name' in a bit higher, clear voice and demanding tone. While you say this, hold him by your hand, softly pull up the leash and gently push his booty downwards. If he doesn't sit, again tell him 'sit', if you keep doing this for a few times, your dog is sure to understand it. Now teach him 'down'. Make him sit and hold a treat in your hand, show it to him by calling his name. Now place it in front of him and say 'down'. Guide him downward towards the floor after saying 'down'. They are intelligent and perform very well in obedience rings and agility classes like pointed ears, alert eyes, etc.

One of the most challenging task in Blue Heeler dog training is teaching them not to nip children or even adults. Blue Heeler's herding nip is a pinch more than a nip and though it may not leave any marks on the skin, it can contuse. Remember that 'not to nip', is against the Heeler's inherent aptitude to herd, so you have to be careful while training this. Also, children must be aware of this characteristic of the cattle dog. Once you teach your Heeler the basic dog obedience courses like sit, stand, down, leave it and give me commands these will be useful to you while you curtail his desire to nip. The dog leash training is also important along with the above Blue Heeler training tips.

After your every attempt of training your dog, whenever he does it the right way, you must give him a treat. You should also praise him by clapping and moving your hand on his back softly and patting him. He'll also understand that he has done it right this time. Blue Heeler puppy training is more easier than training a grown up Heeler and you have to follow the same Blue Heeler training tips. Blue Heelers are known for their intelligence and obedience and that's the reason you can train them easily.