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Poor girl. She looks so disciplined though! If she likes to work for dinner, my boy likes this: treat ball. I fill it with his normal kibble, it's been $6 well spent.
Westpaw makes some amazingly durable toys. My acd/pitty is the most aggressive chewers I've ever been around, and this has survived over a year now https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6YEAQR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0rTACbH6ZX4WJ
I like to think of pet insurance the same way I think of extended warranties. All the money you save by not buying one on every item you purchase more than pays the repair cost on any one of them that actually breaks. As to pet insurance itself, here's what Consumer Reports says: "Overall, we found that the pet policies we analyzed were not worth the cost for a generally healthy animal. In healthy Roxy's case, we found that none of the nine policies would have paid out more than the projected premiums over a 10-year period." http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2010/09/is-pet-insurance-worth-the-cost/index.htm
I got my heeler one on amazon!! They have different sizes as well
A positive interrupting noise when the dog starts to nip will get your dog's attention- anything like "ah ah" or "dogs name, LOOK!" in a positive voice will get them to turn to you. Then reward for ceasing the nipping and redirect to something like a tug toy.
This sums it up http://dogtime.com/dog-herds-people-faq-leigh-siegfried.html
This article is also helpful. http://www.ehow.com/how_5863301_stop-dog-herding.html
Mine is 62lbs at 6 years old. Vet says the same thing, he could lose 5-10 lbs to help with his joints. So I've cut him down to just a cup a day of chow.
pic for upvotes https://www.instagram.com/p/9xajx_yMJ7/
Thank you! We have done a little bit informally, but reading up just now it seems like it could really help. I ordered this book on it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929242727/
I did some basic stuff with her tonight - hiding treats around the living room while she held in the kitchen - and she really enjoyed it.
Hi there! You buy them as a chewable cheese bone which is a rawhide alternative . They will knaw on that for a week or so until it gets a bit too small to work with and then you pop it in the microwave for about a minute and it becomes this massive cheese puff. The cheese puff lasts about an hour! He loves them in both forms! You can buy them anywhere. We got our last batch from Amazon for a slightly better price than PetSmart or chewy.com. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00XWQ7RHI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6TMDFb0SJAHNZ
They’re fantastic. I don’t use them all the time, but they work great. I took him to the obsidian flow in Bend Or. It’s a 1,300 year old lava flow with obsidian everywhere.
The trail is literally littered with glass shards and these boots worked perfectly.
To get him used to them I just put them on, held onto a piece of meat between my palm and thumb and made him walk in a heel position while licking at the treat. It took a matter of seconds for him to walk around and forget about the boots.
We did the essential and it worked great. A little slow on the turn around time but not too bad, about 4 weeks total
We got this root for our ACD mix when she was a puppy to chew on. The tannins inside discourage them from chewing too much and it is great for their teeth.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R6VSVG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_F37W54V6125DVS1H42JQ?psc=1
And here's some info on how/why they work: https://www.smartdogguide.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-root-chews-for-dogs/
Taste of the Wild, usually, but my pup is eating Wag kibble right now, and he's doing just fine.
QUMY dog boots. He's only when then once for about 30 minutes. They slipped a bit but so far no rub spots
Check this out: QUMY Dog Boots Waterproof Shoes for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HTV9JKF/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_imm_MRB5TBBJJ5B0SEM46HX8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I think it’s this one, but I’m not sure. Just get something that straps between their front legs like that. Those are the only ones I’ve had that’ve worked very well.
I got Luna this one...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006G56XY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
It's made of hard plastic so the dog can't actually pick it up (get the 6-inch ball). So they use their body and nose and paws to push and chase it all over the yard.
We have had really good luck with harnesses by truelove. They have lasted 4+ years. Only replaced once when our dogs were growing to full size.
TRUE LOVE Dog Harness No Pull Nylon Reflective Pet Harness Adjustable Comfortable Control Step-in Brilliant Colors Truelove TLH56512 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GKQNWQH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_N2FQ1EMQ8K4R6MD74N60
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0749JRSS9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Size 5: Max Neck 17" Chest 31" :)
When he was a puppy, my mom gave me the seat because her little dog wasn't a fan. I think that it is too small for him now and would prefer him to be in my dog hammock in the backseat for safety purposes. From a quick search, I think that it may be an older version of this one for dogs up to 30 pounds.
My guy is just under 40 pounds, so I don't want to recommend it since I worry about his safety by being over the weight limit. However, he does well staying sitting/laying in it without trying to get in my lap where I would worry more. He gets carsick (hopefully he'll age out of that), so it is helpful for me to keep him comforted while he is nauseous. I'm thankful for the removable seat liner and pillow that I can easily wash and dry (sometimes my comforting, cold air, and quiet transport are not enough to control his motion sickness), but I often keep a towel lining it as back up and to have something extra to clean him up with. I like that the seat can buckle in and since it is a hard plastic base that sits in the seat instead of dangling from a headrest, it works in spite of his size.
Also, when he is not with me, I appreciate having my water bottle accessible in a place that it doesn't roll around.
Nope - but I have some side bags ordered so I’ll be adding rice or some sand to start working up her weight as she continues to grow
ICEFANG Tactical Dog Harness with 2X Metal Buckle, Dog Walking Training MOLLE Vest with Handle,No Pulling Front Leash Clip,Hook and Loop Panel for Dog Patch (M (25"-30" Girth), Coyote Brown) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1YVRC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_17YFJ8WX85JG1NJ5X4N8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This. Our cattle dog mix has severe separation anxiety and a combo of meds and desensitization got us to being able to leave him for hours. This book describes the method well: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Right-Back-Overcome-Separation-ebook/dp/B081Y9XFXF The author was a student of Malena.
Be patient, start slow. If the separation anxiety is bad, you will likely need to start be just desensitizing approaching the door, and you will need to progress in increments of 10-15 seconds, not minutes. And it’ll take months and you will be managing separation anxiety likely for your entire pup’s life. But the method truly works and gets you the freedom you will need.
Amazon? He wears a medium and he's a pretty average sized ACD. The bags are removable so you can take them off and leave the harness part on if you stop for a break. Both pockets have a zippered mesh compartment in them, too.
Yeah he is on the smaller size. He weighs 23-25lbs depending on how much he eats that day haha. I also adopted him. I put kibble sealed with some banana peanut butter mixture in a Kong a freeze it. I also use wet food occasional and freeze it as well. Takes him 15-20 minutes to finish the whole thing. Look into a snuffle mat. I made my own using strips of fleece and a bar mat but you can also buy one on Etsy or Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Wooly-Snuffle-Mat-Encourages-Foraging/dp/B01N1FV55I My dog (surprisingly) does not try and tear or pull the fleece strips. I thought he would to try and get the food faster and because he will tear stuffed animals apart.
Two suggestions:
1) It sounds like at least one of your dogs loves balls and squeeks, like mine. I just bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KNWVPFO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Its rubber so won't pick up the dirt and grime that can wear down teeth, but is pretty tough so far. The dog pops soccer balls like its her job, but this has held up. The squeaker has survived pretty rough play, despite what some of the amazon reviews said, so that was a happy surprise. Its also just a different type of play versus fetch with a tennis ball, so I think its been a fun break for her.
2) Kong frisbee. Soft, but strong kong rubber frisbee. It has some reinforcement around the rim so it can double as a tug toy. My dog hated frisbees before this thing. She does love tug, so giving her a little action of that after fetching it got her going. Maybe that is a way to transition off of the fabric ones?
This toy was suggested to me a while back, it's worked out really well.
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Busy-Buddy-Squirrel-Medium/dp/B000A61GNO
Mine also loves antlers, ropes (he plays tug-of-war with my Boston Terrier), and Chuckit rubber balls that I got off of Amazon for like, $4 for two of them.
No problem! I think it's safe to post here. All ordered from Amazon. The harness is the medium size and just barely fits (almost too big.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725FT5ZW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SQ4YZ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I got them from amazon. They are really good. They have a sizing chart thats super helpful.
My Busy Dog Water Resistant Dog Shoes with Reflective Velcro and Rugged Anti-Slip Sole (Size 4, Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019QRCYJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rtcpBbSFPW55R
Anti-burst exercise/yoga/Pilates balls are typically what's used for Treibball, yeah. The 45 or 55cm sizes are about right for most ACDs. You can of course just let her play free-form with it, but training basic Treibball skills is lots of fun and very mentally satisfying for herding breeds. There aren't any classes in my area, so I used videos (search YouTube with "teach" and "Treibball;" I found this channel particularly helpful), and at a later stage this book, to get us going.
With chew toys, just keep in mind the veterinary dentists' rule: nothing so hard you can't make an impression on it with your fingernail, or that would hurt to slap against your kneecap, because dogs' enamel isn't any harder than ours (plus they've got less of it), and toys like antlers and bully sticks are notorious for causing slab fractures. GoughNuts, Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff, West Paw Zogoflex, and Kong Extreme all have some good durable tooth-safe chews and tugs, if she likes tugging. (Although tugging can also be a good opportunity to get in a plush/fabric fix, for dogs who love fabric but destroy it if allowed to play on their own with it.)
Most ACDs really enjoy flirt poles too, and they're a great way to build impulse control.
Other useful stuff: puzzle toys for feeding, a Chuckit for fetch games, frisbee.
I use these two in combo: Rake and T-brush. Worked wonders with my German Shedders. The puppy's coat is still to sparse and fine to say how well it'll work for her since she seems to be a constant dropper instead of seasonal like the GSDs. She's also a labraheeler so different coat genetics than a full ACD.
Furminators can apparently really mess up a dog's topcoat, also according to the GSD people I know. If you need your pup to be all-weather, it's something to keep in mind.
I use turkey (lunch meat) and cut it into chunks. Really good (simple ingredient low salt, beef) hotdogs. I also use baby food pouches. He likes a lot of flavors, but Bison seems to give him an extra hop in his step. He also loves dehydrated rabbit, beef and probably any other kind of animal. I get Pupford brand. I usually mix the dehydrated stuff with lunch meat or hotdogs so they are extra tasty.
Love this one. You can adjust the opening size so any type of dry kibble/treat will work, and you can adjust the difficulty by making the opening smaller.
We have an indestructible ball and a jolly soccer ball. She loves them both but I prefer the soccer ball because the other ball is HARD. Like if she runs into you with it it hurts, and I worry she'll damage our fence with it or hurt herself. The soccer ball is much more robust than a regular soccer ball, she hasn't been able to get her teeth into it yet. I think she likes them both pretty well. The ideal would be a much larger sized soccer ball that was soft, so maybe this collieball fits the bill!
The shepherding instinct is strong with her. Give her some things to boss around like wooly chew toys and a puzzle cube like this one: Kruuse Buster Food Cube Feeder, Lime https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YK5TNK
I will forever swear by this virtually indestructible ball.. The only issue is we have to take it away and can only give it to her once or twice a day haha Our red heeler has obsessive tendencies and the ball is her favorite thing in the ENTIRE. WORLD. I have some videos of her playing with the ball I linked ^ in my history.
We didn’t have to reach her. The moment the ball was placed she knew what to do. Try kicking it or throwing it and having her herd it back to you. That’s what ours does/we taught.
a couple of months ago i bought a step stool from chewy’s that i take with me when she rides in the car. she uses it to get in and out (she still needs a lift up to get in), it’s been great snd i highly recommend it. this is the one i got.
Dang, I lied ☹️ on accident lol I retract my statement! It was this toy! We took him to Woofgang Bakery for birthday goodies and the woman working there said her GSD couldn’t get through these….. well our gremlin definitely did. On that note, will be checking out fluffandtuff asap! Thank you!
I used this style rake along with this wire brush on my GSDs for shedding and I am very happy with that combo. The wire brush isn't as pokey/sharp as other wire brushes I've used and the handle is really nice. The non-pokey-ness was definitely helpful with my more sensitive dogs. The rake really dug a lot of the undercoat out and the brush got what was missed and smoothed everything down to a glossy finish.
I give edible chews about twice a day. It started as a way to avoid separation anxiety but now it’s routine.
I like to keep lots of things like this around. You have to monitor them for wear and take away any small pieces but they don’t develop sharp edges. I make sure I always have a variety of scents in the dog toy box (to keep things interesting). I would look for the type that are designed for puppies, in your case.
You can also use tiny training treats that help with training sessions, if you want to avoid over feeding. They seem too small but they do the trick.
We got a herding ball off Amazon for our boy but he keeps running it down into our window well area. I saw this earlier this week and thought it was a great idea!
If you are worried about glass, don’t get the rubber kind that look like balloons. I use the ones with thick rubber solos with two straps and my Heeler usually has problems with one of them on a walk.
Maybe something like this.
Two things have helped my girl:
She hates standing on the smooth steel table or on the floor when being handled by the vet, so now I pick her up and hold her (like this: https://youtu.be/wMrwwYbxstI) while the vet gives her shots/does whatever needs being done.
Muzzles make her even more panicky, so instead we started using what i call the Cream Cheese Muzzle: basically one of these flexible silicone measuring cups coated generously inside with cold cream cheese—while i am carrying her in the manner described above, the vet’s assistant positions the “muzzle” so her snout is all the way in (not forced or clamped down, just so it’s all she can really see/smell/taste). If it’s a long procedure I might bring two of these prepared “muzzles”.
https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Squeeze-Silicone-Measuring/dp/B01B7HSHMM
(She’ll also be on trazodone and gabapentin, but they dont seem to have much of an effect on her in these situations, even at max allowable dose.)
I love this for my cattle dog and border collie. Have to keep them focused on active play as they're easy to destroy - but great for obsessive chasing and herding.
Have you tried a Jolly Ball? My ACD needed a larger and hard ball and now he needs like a champ. I highly recommend them. They are rather large and solid.
Jolly Pets Push-n-Play Ball Dog... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P6VA2G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is the ball. Its a hard, rigid plastic so they can’t bite or chew it. She herds it with her chest and shoulders.
I like seeing these sunny updates! It's like my pup in red.
For beach-going, if he likes fetch, I love this Kong Jumbler ball. It floats with the handle up so they don't have to get water in their mouth to grab it. I did get a little water in mine yesterday, so waiting to see if it dries out ok.
these toys were so good for his teething phase. they don't have any filling in them and he loves the sqeeks. he can gnaw and they're soft. i've tried with teething toys and he wasn't really into them nor was he into the kong much. and if you get him stuffed toys, he'll easily rip the shit out of them and now you'll have cotton everywhere constantly. we're at 7 months now and he's in love with antlers.
I recommend this harness lead! Had the same problem with my ACD when she was a pup. It’s one continuous piece so it’s fully customizable for size. Not only did it help with training her to getting used to walking on a leash, I found it prevented irritation she was experiencing from other harnesses. Not an affiliate, nor do I benefit from sharing this link. Just a fellow ACD owner sharing what worked for us!
My ACD’s problem was she always wanted to sit and tug against the pull of the leash. When teaching her to walk, I’d wrap the rope up around my hand until there was just enough to run from her to my hip. This kept her by my side and keeps it so the pup is forced to go with the momentum. She couldn’t sit or resist and with lots of verbal rewards was walking like a pro in no time! Best of luck!
Here's a linkto the Frisbee I buy
I've been trying to train my girl to be a competition disc dog, granted I'm a noob myself... These are the ones I'm using and she likes them.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CM3O6G/
when they do crack they are not hard and rough, somehow they are softish and round off a bit. Drawback is they do not float. I usually have at least 4 of them for her.
Looks like yours gets around your legs too, harness that. I've got mine doing a full back around, going through and around one leg, and then doing a figure 8, each before she runs down the lane to catch it.
My heeler’s life revolves around Chuck-It Flying Squirrels. I have several in my car and in my house. I find it fun to fling, too. https://www.chewy.com/chuckit-flying-squirrel-dog-toy-color/dp/38320
https://www.chewy.com/intellileash-intelli-stayk-soft-soil/dp/395614
This one has no reviews but it worked SO WELL with my dog when we went camping in the desert! The corkscrew and the bigger plate that digs into the sand were super sturdy and Wally wasn’t able to rip it out. But he also didn’t try to pull very hard because once he feels tension he let’s go. He’s also only 29 lbs. My roommate’s 80lb husky/German also didn’t pull it out when they went camping but again he doesn’t pull very hard either.
This is a really hard ball. She automatically knew what to do with it when I unboxed it. She started with trying to bite and when it rolled she just went with if. Try buying a large size one.
No judgement here. Ive never heard of BCC but I have heard of EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse). My best guess on this is heat exhaustion/ overheating. Its happened to my pup. Its scary but can be prevented. Best way to prevent this is helping your dog moderate their heat. These dogs are built for the heat but it doesn't make them invulnerable to it. Summer heat is hard on everyone. Teach them to enjoy a kiddy pool or to take more breaks. I have one like this and my lil dude loves it. We couldnt play in the summer without it. He takes a dip about every 5 throws.
https://www.chewy.com/frisco-outdoor-dog-swimming-pool/dp/220146
I got a professional trainer for Meeko when she was about six months old and she recommended this "training" collar, which I still use today for peace of mind. We first worked on her recall using treats/food. We taught her a recall word, in our case, "let's go." Because these dogs are so damn smart she picked it up incredibly quickly, and she responds to it even when trying to chase a dog, or cat, or anything. But the collar is an extra bit of security because it basically snaps them out of whatever they're focused on that is distracting them from listening. The collar I linked has a vibrate function which I use 99.99% of the time instead of the lower shock setting because 9/10 times that's all Meeko needs.
I was hesitant at first because on its face, a shock collar seems cruel, but it works just like a TENS unit you'd use on yourself, so it does not harm the dog in any way. It is just there as sort of a flick on the ear.
I know everyone has their own idea of how to raise/train their dog, but I'm speaking from experience with Meeko (1.5 years old), and her brother from a different litter who is 2 now and went through the same training steps, and after just a few months of recall training and using the collar as a back up we can let them off leash in public and with other dogs around.
This is the bed I got for my dog and he loves it.
This is the one I got. I've gone through a few and this seems to offer the most features while fitting pretty well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097GV2XSS/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Not dismissing this lil fella as being the Sub Icon but on the topic, I think the pic used for this book cover would be perfect, Ned Kelly is a good reference for this crazy breed.
Ya’ll need this;
I use it with my ACD or else he would be unmanageable. Now at the push of a button he will recall to my side no matter how far he is, no need to be yelling out his name in the middle of the park, and is extremely useful in teaching other things like stay and heel as well
There's a bunch of there but I usually use this one: TropiClean Hypoallergenic Waterless Shampoo for Dogs, 7.4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) - Made in USA, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EUNSD5G/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_EB58XS6RYC7RAMP2Q73A
Great advice from everyone else! I have a few tips to add.
First, my boy is 11 now and still occasionally lunges at dogs. My last dog was a golden retriever. I was very used to off leash dog park outings. We don't do that anymore. We walk at odd times and in places few people visit for the most part, just to make it easier on him. When we do walk in more public places I still carry REALLY GOOD TREATS like actual chicken, hot dog, cheese, freeze dried animal parts. It took a solid year of weekly sessions to get him over the consistent lunging barking and gnashing at everything. And we had an amazing trainer. So be prepared for it to take some time.
To keep people away, I cheated a bit. I bought this vest by OneTigris. Oz is 40lbs and wears a large. It looks sort of like a working dog vest and sort of military, so people are more cautious when approaching, which gives me time to explain his rules. It also has straps and snaps for pouches and velcro for patches. Oz has two ammo bags strapped to his so he can carry his own treats and poop bags. People sell velcro patches that say "caution" or "don't touch" or "I'm shy" and stuff like that, which are awesome to stick on the vest. You can also buy leashes that say "reactive". It's nice to give people a heads-up from a distance. Oh and the upper handle on this vest is STURDY so if you ever do need to grab the dog, the handle is right there.
When I run with my dog, we use a harness like this. The handle slides around the leash between the two clips, and that doesn't let the dog pull. It's not great for normal walks, as it gives you a very short lead and little control, but its great for running.
I recomment this, as my ACD mix learned to unclip the ones that go into the seatbelt holster. It's adjustable as well.
Other people commented rewarding him when he sits still, but use a firm, stern, "No." To get his attention and tell him that's enough, and only when you absolutely need to.
This plus a well fitted chest harness will help a LOT.
I just ordered this one . Hoping he likes it. He hates the grooming rake and the pin/bristle just slicks him down and doesn't help us with shedding. But I do use it for desensitizing!
Everybody loves these grooming gloves. My two heeler hair factories, horse, mules, donkeys, even cats.
Get one of these. Works like a charm. It beeps whenever the dog barks. My red heeler will bark a few times then get the gist and quiet up for hours. The collar itself and the beeps don’t impact him in any harmful way.
We have really gotten our monies worth out of this one
Safari Dual-Sided Shedding Blade Dog Grooming Tool
It’s light and easy to use. And the two sides makes it nice to get the undercoat or the longer furs. You can also un-clasp the handles and use it as a giant flat tool. Our dude loves it!
I’m not OP but my ACD mix destroys everything. Except this, which we’ve had since August 2021. I think the secret is that it’s too big for his mouth, so his molars can’t get into it. It’s a relatively soft rubber but it’s stayed intact much better than his nylon toys. Plus because it’s large it’s hilarious to watch him run around the house with it.
more of a fetch toy, but my dog loves her wubba
We like the Pet Neat brush! Pet Neat Pet Grooming Brush Effectively Reduces Shedding by Up to 95% Professional Deshedding Tool for Dogs and Cats https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M5DS0Z7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_GQ6DXFDVAE0FHNX7QD05
They're really great leashes. My previous one lasted 15 years and it didn't break, I just wanted something new given how hard ACDs pull. Just wanted to make sure there weren't any weak spots. Canine Equipment Technika Beyond Control 1-Inch Dog Leash, Black https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0072BAV6S/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_4JNK8T9B29PKFAY2TDZE
My ACD isn’t a fan of the freezing cold, and he’ll spend shorter periods of time outside. He seems to sleep more and gets tired more quickly this time of the year. I suppose it depends on what your heeler prefers, I usually do once a week play dates with his BFF (a Saint Bernard, her energy level is high this time of the year... snow dog) and they spend half of the time indoors and the other half outdoors. I also do once a week doggie daycare for socialization. He’s usually out like a light after those days. I know that for him he needs that stimulation, spending time with other dogs is his thing. Our walks usually consist of him visiting his dog friends in the neighborhood. If your ACD doesn’t seem restless, then I think what you’re doing is fine. Puzzle toys, playing hide and seek with treats or toys, Kong Jumbler Ball -this has been a great indoor toy
Just a heads up, it’s been mentioned on this sub by others and myself, tennis balls over time can wear down your pups teeth. We didn’t know that, and after a few hundred tennis ball throws over 18-months to a year and ALL of our 6-yo’s canines were worn down a few mm’s.
My vet BIL looked at them one day when we were with family and told me to monitor and possibly stop using tennis balls. We switched to this style ball a few years ago and we noticed the wear all but stopped.
Keep in mind, these balls work for us and our 60-lb heeler, but they could present a choking hazard to larger dogs. We try our best to keep them away from larger dogs if we’re at a dog park or something.
Cheers!
I ended up getting him this one at my local pet store for 50 dollars. I'm still considering ordering this ruffwear one online as well because I really like the colour, and have read some good reviews on it http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00L1JFEN2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2C55DA9D4SKZ
This is the one i recommend based off some customers opinions (i unfortunately dont have a dog) its not suppper cool but ive heard it works well iDig Digging Toy by iFetch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K9CJMG8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_FAQ0YS2WA09EGPDYN5M9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Welcome to owning a puppy! I wholeheartedly recommend /r/puppy101 an absolute plethora of raising puppies
Puppies in general are bitey, very bitey, for at least 6 months, often times a lot longer. In fact, around 4-8 months they are teething and it gets worse. Puppies don't have hands - so they can't interact with the world with hands like we do. Their mouths are their hands!
So when your puppy is bitey, swap your hand out with a toy. Always have a toy nearby. In fact they make wrist bands/bracelets specifically for this (https://www.chewy.com/sweet-paws-wearable-puppy-teether/dp/297782) so you will always have a toy on hand when you need one.
Some people have a zero tolerance policy in regards to biting. They don't want teeth on skin at all. I, however, follow a "three strikes" rule for training because if you do not have other dogs for them to learn from, they need to learn bite inhibition from you. bite inhibition is basically how hard they can bite without hurting you. My oldest dog was raised solo and has terrible bite inhibition - you're likely to lose some fingers if you are offering her a treat.
Anyway, my three strikes rule - they bite me too hard once I yelp, retreat my hand briefly (and offer a toy). They bite me too hard twice, I yelp again, retreat and offer toy again. Third time? I yelp, retreat, give them the toy and disengage. By disengaging you're doing a reverse time out. They want to play with you, so you're removing their opportunity to play with you because they are playing too rough.
I do allow mouthyness though. They are allowed to generally mouth my hands or play with biting as long as it is really soft. I do not and will not have children, but if you do have young children or are planning on having children, you may want to consider if you want to allow that. Once you set up such a basic rule as this it's hard to change it.
She loves these ones also
Here’s the link of the exact one - but it is the hard plastic, unfortunately. I think the pillowy snow in this video makes it look softer than it is.
My heeler has had these for 2 years
Jalousie Dog Squeaky Toys Value Set Non-Toxic Dog Squeaky Balls for Dogs Toss Fetch Toys for Dogs TPR Rubber Puppy Toys Spikey Dog Chew Toys for Small Medium Dogs Pet Toys for Puppy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086T3CR9D/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_C2JGCN3BP1FN2MAC7Y1A
Seconded this info. We used tennis balls for years, and our older Heeler must have caught 300 throws a day for a few years. We thought he chipped his canines on inspection. Talked to a vet in the family and he told us to avoid tennis balls if he’s that obsessed, they are actually pretty bad for their teeth in heavy dosage.
We moved to these a few years back and it’s helped slow that wear down on his teeth. These have caused problems with bigger dogs, but about 5,000 throws (who knows really…) later, and no issues with them.
JW HOL-EE RPLLER Original Treat Dispensing Dog Ball - Hard Natural Rubber - Assorted Colors https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0002DJX58/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_GVB5BR7Z9YBDN5J5VG15
We have had one of these and it has lasted about a year and is still going strong. No signs of fading and she uses it daily. It’s also large enough to use as a tug of war toy. Best toy we have
I'm a big fan of the late Dr. Sophia Yin's book Perfect Puppy in 7 Days for general obedience training and socialization info. But it's perfectly normal for a 9-week-old to have the attention span of a gnat!
ACDs will explore their new home in depth whether you like it or not. I’m sure anyone on here can agree that if you follow your dog around saying “NO” to every single thing, you will wind up frustrated and he will chew increasingly valuable things with a grin on his face. Let him get his excitement out and save the commands for the crucial stuff. And get yourself one of these : Stewart Freeze Dried Dog Treats Made in USA [Single Ingredient, Puppy and Dog Training Treats - Grain Free, Natural Dog Treats], Resealable Tub to Preserve Freshness https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DGRSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_S46YTXB60PZ395RPK4EN?_
Antler/bone makes us nervous so we started giving ours those yak chews after he started tearing through bully sticks super fast. Specifically these ones from Chewy.
He’ll chew them off and on and they’ll last up to a month. Then, when they get short you can soak them in water and then microwave them and they become a puff which can be given as a special treat.
I like these. K9 Connoisseur Single Ingredient Dog Bones Made in USA Natural Marrow Filled Dynamo Bone Chew Treats for Small to Medium Breed Aggressive Chewers Dogs - Best Up to 50 Pounds https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0U75H3/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_N5P6XNFDX7SMER36G4VW
😅 that's a big boy. Glad he's getting in shape. It's bad enough they're prone to being thick doggos. Check this out, this is the one I got. I really like it, it's pretty heavy duty, but Amazon has all kinds: Meieke Flirt Pole Toy for Dogs, Pet Teaser Wand Outdoor Interactive Pet Dog Flirt Pole Training Exercise Rope Toy for Small Medium Large Dogs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QCNS9BG/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_YY6DDD3F9A7ZK90Q10P4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
ChuckIt! Paraflight Flyer Dog... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ESY894?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
He loves this one. I am trying to transition him to competition dog frisbees but he has bitten his tongue twice now.
Our boy is similar size with a fat neck. We’re having good luck with this one and wide martingale collars
2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BGGPNB3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Healers like to control things. It's part of the breed. They're herding dogs. They chase and bark at livestock in order to put them where they want them to be. The nipping at your heels you mentioned is also a herding behavior. His instincts are telling him to get you to move where he wants you.
He needs a "job." These are working dogs that need to be worked hard daily in order to be successful. Walking alone isn't going to do it.
One of the best things we did for our ACD was buy one of these. We give her the command of "Go get your egg" and she goes outside and kicks that thing across the yard for 1-2 hours. She'll kick it, try to nip it, bark at it, you name it. But because of it's shape she can't ever completely control it.
I have to disagree, my girl is BCxHeeler and looks very similar, this is her at roughly 4 weeks.
and again at roughly 8 weeks