merrylieux
Member
I have a 9 month old male blue heeler from farm stock-- not really a working dog. We have a rooster and two cats that he does not mess with, but he will catch one of the goats and gnaw on her leg, and he will chase the horses, catch their tails and swing from them, shortening all the tails. Not all the tails-- the more dominant horses do not seem to be affected. For now we are keeping the goats stalled, but in the spring we will want them out. I have never seem him on the horse's tails, but the rest of my family has. One day after school, my daughter had let the goats out while the dog was inside. Later the dog went out and at bedtime, I found one of the goats lying near the stall with a bleeding leg.
My husband says shoot him with a BB or paintball gun when he is doing it. Would this work?
He is a very obedient dog when I am present. He loves to chase cars, but will not do so, or will stop at a dead run when I call him. He will obey others who are willing to use the right voice and use common sense. (If my teenager yells "Cut it out" when the dog is getting wild, the dog ignores him, but the boy refuses to use the commands or the voice to enforce it.)
As I write this, I realize that my first answer should be to exercise him more, train him more and work directly with him and the goats, with him and the horses, to teach him that these animals are not to be harassed. I am thinking of getting a second dog to keep him occupied. A friend has a 2 month old male Aussie pup I could have. This would give the heeler an appropriate focus for harassment(!) Or it might give him a partner in crime.
After all this, I am realizing that more effort on my part is the most reasonable option. Still, I would like opinions about whether an Aussie pup would solve the problem or add to it. I have a six year old daughter, so any dog I get, I have to commit to keeping. It would me very easy to find a great home for this pup, but it would break her heart and be an example of laziness and lack of commitment. I am home most days, and he is in the house more often since the problem started. Following me around the house keeps him out of trouble, but it isn't really much of a job for him.
I would appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!
My husband says shoot him with a BB or paintball gun when he is doing it. Would this work?
He is a very obedient dog when I am present. He loves to chase cars, but will not do so, or will stop at a dead run when I call him. He will obey others who are willing to use the right voice and use common sense. (If my teenager yells "Cut it out" when the dog is getting wild, the dog ignores him, but the boy refuses to use the commands or the voice to enforce it.)
As I write this, I realize that my first answer should be to exercise him more, train him more and work directly with him and the goats, with him and the horses, to teach him that these animals are not to be harassed. I am thinking of getting a second dog to keep him occupied. A friend has a 2 month old male Aussie pup I could have. This would give the heeler an appropriate focus for harassment(!) Or it might give him a partner in crime.
After all this, I am realizing that more effort on my part is the most reasonable option. Still, I would like opinions about whether an Aussie pup would solve the problem or add to it. I have a six year old daughter, so any dog I get, I have to commit to keeping. It would me very easy to find a great home for this pup, but it would break her heart and be an example of laziness and lack of commitment. I am home most days, and he is in the house more often since the problem started. Following me around the house keeps him out of trouble, but it isn't really much of a job for him.
I would appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!