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    rebelaurorasmom's Avatar
    rebelaurorasmom Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jun 26, 2011, 11:41 AM
    Blue red heeler
    Hello , my blue red heeler -because it has both blue and red- was found on the side of the road with his sister I adopted him and he is a very good dog inside but outside he barks mean and snaps at my neighbors kids heels.. I worry because we live so close to people and I hate him having to stay on a rope outside how do I fix this violent behavior. Also note that I got him very young 6months and he is now 2 years old so it wasn't lack of training as a younger dog..
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #2

    Jun 26, 2011, 11:59 AM

    Has he had any training since you've owned him, or is he just living mostly outside at the end of a rope, with no socialization or human interaction?

    What happened to his sister? Where did she end up?
    LadySam's Avatar
    LadySam Posts: 1,589, Reputation: 322
    Cats Expert
     
    #3

    Jun 26, 2011, 06:34 PM
    My answer has nothing to do with behavior, that is simply not my thing. I'm a safety freak. Is there any way to fix him a fenced area for his outside time? Being on a rope is just not safe for him. Not sure about where you live but in my area irresponsible people tend to let their dogs have free roam, suppose a neighbors dog decided to challenge him, he can't get away. If not and he is good indoors then let him be a house dog and leash walk him for his exercise. Besides that, being tied up can't be much fun for him. I would imagine it is very frustrating.
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #4

    Jun 26, 2011, 06:53 PM

    Is he neutered? How often is he in the yard tied up? How often do you walk him, run around with him? Does he get enough exercise?

    A dog that barks constantly in the yard is the sign of a dog that's not being fulfilled. A bored or unhappy dog. Blue heelers are working dogs. It's in their breed. If he isn't fulfilled, if his breed isn't fulfilled, then he'll find other ways to do what he's bred to do, which is to herd cattle.

    Guess what? The kids have become his cattle.

    This breed isn't for a novice, and you will have to put in a lot of work every day. He needs daily walks, at least 3 times a day, at least an hour each time, or more, until he's worn out. Running, chasing a ball, that's also good.

    This is not a breed that can just be left in the yard tied up all day.

    If this dog is not fulfilled, isn't worked, the behavior issues will only get worse, not better. The good news is that this is a very intelligent breed, very eager to please their owner, and very eager to work. They do well in agility, and that would be a great activity you two can do together which will also allow him to work. He needs to work.
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
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    #5

    Jun 26, 2011, 06:54 PM

    Here's a link that may help. I only read through some of it, mostly the behavior part, but what I read from that is dead on, and it should help.

    http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source...jbakhQ&cad=rja
    Aurora_Bell's Avatar
    Aurora_Bell Posts: 4,193, Reputation: 822
    Dogs Expert
     
    #6

    Jun 27, 2011, 12:22 PM

    Some dogs naturally are instinctively more aggressive then others. It's usually a by-law that all dogs have to be confined and or tied. It may be different where you live, but in most cases if AC was called and your dog appeared to be vicious or dangerous they have the right to destroy the dog with out warning and on site.

    Human aggression is a scary thing to deal with, if your dog is aggressive to humans, then he can not be trusted to be out while the other children are playing. This is a law suite waiting to happen, and I am surprised you have not been visited by your local dog warden or police.

    The things mentioned above such a neutering and providing a fenced in yard all great helps, but your dog needs professional help before something awful happens. I would suggest seeing a behaviorist and obedience classes. Most times aggression can not be cured, but you can learn the triggers to prevent an occurrence.

    You dog is in protect mode, he considers himself as the alpha and is doing what he thinks his job should be, which is protecting you. You need to take that pressure off him, by teaching him he is not alpha and there is nothing to be afraid/fearful of. How do you punish him when he acts this way? What have you done to prevent this from happening? Like Alty mentioned, this is a working dog, he needs to be worked and he needs a job to do.

    I see the OP has not come back to answer any of the other questions, so before I go into a long winded explanation of what she needs to do for her dog, I am going to end this here. :)

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