My dad owns an Aussie Healer-Collie (or supposivly thats what the dealer told us but were not really sure what mix it is) and liek most Aussies that are bought from uneducated dog owners, he was a mad man. Mad Max actually as Max is his name. Now the problem with him is really with me. Hes about 2 or 3 years old and for the last like 3 months he has suddenly started to like...hate me. He's very attached to my dad, and he likes my brother and grandfather, and he used to be extremely happy when I would come home. (Divorced parents, not always at my dads). I woudl come home and he would lick me and want me to pet him and get all excited. But now he gets real defensive and growls at me, gets all tense. Somtimes he runs to his food, or his bone and guarding it. I have in no way abused him in any shape or form he just all of a sudden decided he doesn't like me. I've tried alot to get him to trust me again but I can't seem to do it. Any one have any suggestions?
Ausssie Healer-Collie crazyness
- Thread starter Egwich
- Start date
How often does he see your brother/grandfather compared to how often he sees you?
Not knowing the specifics of how often he see's you now versus when he was younger, it sounds like to me (and I'm no expert, but I've read up on Blue Heeler's a bit) is he now regards you as an outsider or stranger and Blue Heelers are very weary of strangers and very protective.
What are you doing to gain his trust?
Not knowing the specifics of how often he see's you now versus when he was younger, it sounds like to me (and I'm no expert, but I've read up on Blue Heeler's a bit) is he now regards you as an outsider or stranger and Blue Heelers are very weary of strangers and very protective.
What are you doing to gain his trust?
well I kind of agree with you on that. I think he does see me as n outsider but when I come to the house he greets me like he normally would. But this only lasts for a very few seconds and once he's done greeting me he just becomes tense and nervous and even growls if I try to pet him.
To gain his trust I've played with him (he still is willing to play with me, like keep away with the bone and stuff). When he's lying down I try and lay near him and rub his tummy or something. Sometimes he lets me sometimes he doesn't. He loves it when I take him for walks. I only see him a couple times a week, and probably the least out of everyone in my family. It's just odd because he seems to be constantly guarding something from me. Then when I try and play with him, or take him for a walk all of a sudden were fine. Don't get it.
To gain his trust I've played with him (he still is willing to play with me, like keep away with the bone and stuff). When he's lying down I try and lay near him and rub his tummy or something. Sometimes he lets me sometimes he doesn't. He loves it when I take him for walks. I only see him a couple times a week, and probably the least out of everyone in my family. It's just odd because he seems to be constantly guarding something from me. Then when I try and play with him, or take him for a walk all of a sudden were fine. Don't get it.
Don't try and pet him then. With Jake - my bundle of fur - he can't stand people trying to pet him that he doesn't know or considers a stranger. Let him great you and settle down.
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of experience training dogs (just my own little deviant goof-ball) so I can't really give you any authoritative advice. However, if you have access to the treat-jar, a little bribery mght help your cause...and make him earn it by doing his basic commands. That may just command some respect in his eyes and make you a popular auntie ta'boot. ACD's and collies are very smart breeds - I'm sure he'll catch on to that game quick enough
Other's may have some better suggestions too.
Good luck!
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of experience training dogs (just my own little deviant goof-ball) so I can't really give you any authoritative advice. However, if you have access to the treat-jar, a little bribery mght help your cause...and make him earn it by doing his basic commands. That may just command some respect in his eyes and make you a popular auntie ta'boot. ACD's and collies are very smart breeds - I'm sure he'll catch on to that game quick enough
Other's may have some better suggestions too.
Good luck!
Unfortunatly you can not force an ACD to accept you. He may tolerate you as he has figured out that you are ok with his owner. He is doing what he was bred to do. The only way of gainning his acceptence is by becoming part of the herd so to speak.
Allie, the red heeler we adopted from the shelter accepted me right away but snapped at my husband up till about a week ago. She is just now accepting him.
What I mean by that is she tolorated his presence but did not want to be petted by him or held. She would allow him to walk her but no touching. They have bonded now to where she greets him with a hug ( cattle dog owners know what I mean ) and a quick lick on his hand. He now is part of her herd to guard.
We have to ask all guests to our home not to pet our dogs unless they come up willingly to you. We want to keep them as they were ment to be and work like they should. We have replaced cattle with agility.
Allie, the red heeler we adopted from the shelter accepted me right away but snapped at my husband up till about a week ago. She is just now accepting him.
What I mean by that is she tolorated his presence but did not want to be petted by him or held. She would allow him to walk her but no touching. They have bonded now to where she greets him with a hug ( cattle dog owners know what I mean ) and a quick lick on his hand. He now is part of her herd to guard.
We have to ask all guests to our home not to pet our dogs unless they come up willingly to you. We want to keep them as they were ment to be and work like they should. We have replaced cattle with agility.