Do Australian Cattle Dogs ever calm down
Blue Heelers typically begin to mature more and become more settled from around 4 to 6 years old. Just because they are younger dogs doesn’t mean they can’t be calm and mature with consistent training and regular exercise, both physical and mental.
If your Blue Heeler is older than 6 years and still is constantly on the go and hyper they are lacking the outlet they need such as the physical and mental release of energy and correct training.
Why Blue Heelers Are So Hyper
Blue Heelers are a naturally energetic and active breed. They are bred to herd and protect livestock and must be quick on their feet and alert at all times.
With proper training and mental stimulation, they can use their energy in a healthy way and are more likely to calm down when the situation calls for it.
Blue Heeler Energy and Behavior Year By Year
To give you a clear idea of what to expect as your dog matures, let’s break it down a bit.
Up until the age of one, you can expect your Blue Heeler puppy to be very energetic and curious but also shy.
They will want to play constantly and will need to spend time outdoors where they can get plenty of exercise.
You should begin training within the first six months of bringing your puppy home, and they should know basic commands by age one.
Between the ages of two to four, Blue Heelers start to calm down. Their energy levels will stay high, but if they have had proper training, they should have learned to control themselves and be better behaved.
They should understand when it’s acceptable to run, play and be rambunctious and when they are expected to be calm.
If they are working on a farm or ranch, they will have adapted to this routine.
By this age, most Blue Heelers are well trained and out of their puppy stage. They have adapted to their work and play routines and should be well socialized with both people and other dogs.
They are more likely to be calm at home and indoors but will still need plenty of exercise.
Blue Heelers can live to be between 12 and 14 years old. As they age, they do become calmer, and their energy levels will drop.
Healthy Blue Heelers should still enjoy running, playing, and staying active. They will require less exercise than they did in their younger days and may spend more time napping or resting.
7 Blue Heeler Puppy Training Tips – Australian Cattle Dog Training
Most Australian Cattle Dogs will begin to calm down on their own around 2 years of age, and will be on their way to emotional maturity at about 3 or 4.
How much you can teach each of these depends on their age, very young puppies just cannot take or understand as much as when they get a little older.
Without proper training and socialization, it may actually take a lot longer for an Australian Cattle Dog to calm down.
Don’t rely totally on age to help your Australian Cattle Dog calm down. It is very important that you play an active roll through training and setting boundaries.
This training not only helps you gain physical and mental control, but also is designed to help the dog develop self control.
Australian Cattle Dog puppies are perhaps the most energetic, the most lovable, and at the same time, can be the most aggravating little demons on earth.
Bringing that cute little bundle of fur home for the first time might be one of the happiest days in your life. Blue Heeler puppies are the most adorable things ever.
However, expectations of a loving, cuddly lap dog may soon vanish. Soon he will outgrow that sweet, sleepy puppy stage, and behold, the Raptor!
In all honesty and fairness, not all Australian Cattle Dog puppies become Raptors. There are some that remain calm and well behaved their entire life and never enter the crazy, destructive phase.
In a way it’s funny that so many owners joke about their Australian Cattle Dog puppies acting like velociraptors, yet in another way it is also sad that if an owner is unprepared to handle this behavior the puppy may pay the price.
That study points out a huge number of Australian Cattle Dogs are turned over to shelters. These owners are just not prepared to handle such an extreme personality.
For this reason it is so important to learn all we can about helping that puppy.