Why is my Blue Heeler puppy so aggressive? Essential Tips

What’s It Like to Own Blue and Red Heelers?

If you have ever seen a Blue Heeler work, you would know they throw their whole heart and soul into everything they do. They would die trying to do the job their master asks of them before giving up.

Their pace is either flat-out or not at all; they dont know the words “steady” or “slow.” They have a heart of gold. Even in play, it is full on, and you need to use caution as their teeth are sharp. They do not mean to hurt anyone; they are just so quick.

Blue heelers are very faithful and doting dogs for their masters. I sometimes believe they know more than we do. They are so smart; I believe that our Titan is one step ahead of us all the time and knows how to get around us mere humans.

The early settlers coming to Australia brought both livestock and their dogs. Their dogs had no stamina to cope with the extreme conditions in Australias outback; it was too harsh for them. Therefore, settlers tried breeding a tougher, more resilient type of dog.

They tried many breeds in this experiment:

  • First, they crossed the Smithfield with the Dingo. This was not completely successful.
  • Then someone imported Blue Smooth Highland Collies and crossed these with the Dingo. They crossed the young again with a Dingo; these pups were born with speckled bluish or reddish fur.
  • The next idea was to cross black and red Kelpies with these dogs.
  • After years of trial and error, the Australian Cattle Dog, otherwise known as the Blue or Red Heeler, evolved.

    Titan had an operation to remove a lump on the jugular vein in his neck. We nearly lost him.

    Aggression Usually Means the Dog Has Been Poorly Treated

    At the same time, I do not believe a dog is born aggressive. If a dog turns on you, it is usually because the dog has been ill-treated at some time in their life. It may have been either kicked or repeatedly hit. Something triggers a memory causing this aggression in a dog. Something as simple as you accidentally treading on its tail could set him off. Be honest, you would retaliate if someone jumped on you, or knocked you over.

    A few other points about heelers:

  • Noise is something else that will irritate a dog. Their hearing is so much better than mans. An ambulance or fire engine siren will cause them anxiety.
  • Never ever trust any dog to behave, especially if you do not know the dog or its history.
  • But if treated right by their owners, these beautiful dogs will give you many years of faithful love and protection. They also love to play with toys, go for walks, and play in the parks.

    Blue Heeler Temperament

    Blue Heelers are full of energy and are best behaved when they kept active and have a job to do. They need to be kept both physically and mentally stimulated throughout the day to remain happy, or otherwise, they will become bored and act out.

    So when owning a Blue Heeler, you need to think creatively about some outlets for their high natural energy.

    Being bred to herd means that they will instinctively try to do so. It could be humans, animals or even cars!

    They, therefore, need to be watched around smaller children.

    Blue Heelers, therefore, do best with owners who are active or for those who can provide them with a daily job.

    They love to work for their owners and please them; so it comes as no surprise to learn they still are kept as working dogs to this day.

    Blue Heelers are great in herding as well as agility, tricks, and obedience.

    They are also known for being very independent dogs and will try to rule the house if allowed.

    Discipline is therefore required to ensure that they do not attempt to rule the household.

    Thankfully, Blue Heelers are one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs.

    While this can also get them into trouble, it also means that they take to training more easily, and are quicker to learn than some other breeds.

    People who have owned, or at least known Blue Heelers, know that they are also affectionate dogs with their owners, as well as other members of the family.

    They are generally very good and well-behaved with kids and other pets in the house. Especially if raised alongside them from a young age.

    The breed tends to be wary of strangers and you may find your Blue Heeler even nipping at the heels of strangers.

    They can become impartial to strangers once they feel safe around them, especially when their people are comfortable around the ‘strangers’.

    5 Tips for Reactive / Aggressive Dogs (Blue Heeler)

    It is unfair and inaccurate to say that a Blue Heeler is an aggressive breed of dog. The breed is supposed to be suspicious towards strangers, but they should not be aggressive towards them. What is often perceived as aggression is their natural protective and controlling herding instinct. This can still be a behavior issue but should be dealt with differently.

    Every dog is an individual and some Australian Cattle Dogs are aggressive which is true of any breed of dog. The reason for the aggressive behavior of an individual Blue Heeler is not so much a trait of the breed but likely the result of their past. In some cases, it may be the result of bad breeding. It is the old nature vs nurture debate.