Quote:
Originally Posted by Mephistopheles Janx
A heeler can be one of the best dogs you will ever have but they need training. I had one in the past and have a Heeler mix now.
First thing to do is decide whether or not you want to put the effort into making the dog work for you guys. If you don't then just find a good home for the dog and wash your hands of the whole thing.
If you decide to keep the dog (this info is based on how hessistant you seem to be around the dog):
* get it up to date on vaccinations and spay/neuter
* find a puppy socialization class which is basically puppy pre-school where they learn to interact with other dogs and people appropriately. from there start looking for an obedience class once they become old enough. after that there are even sports that you. the kids, and the dog can participate in such as flyball... at which heelers tend to be fantastic.
* come to terms that you have a dog specifically bred to nip at the heels (thus Heeler) of livestock (my Louie does a good job and he loves his goats) and it is gonna be a bit of a chore to break them of that when it comes to the kids.
* you are gonna need to have a conversation with the 7 year old and let him know he has to help train the dog. if the dog comes up and nips... whomever is nipped should let out a sharp and loud pain squeak/noise. puppies communicate to one another that play is too rough with those types of noises. Gotta speak their language. Follow up the pain noise with a firm, but gentle, *NO*. heavily praise the dog when it is playing appropriately.
* whomever the dog bonds with the most in the family is going to be the one most likely to have success in training it and should be the person to introduce the dog to the baby. make a big show, especially with a puppy, expressing care and love for the baby. the dog will pick up on the fact that it is important to the person and will likely become very protective of it.
If you aren't willing to do the above listed things... best thing for everyone is for the dog to get a new home.
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Thank you. Not much to reply to because such good info, so / but thank you