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Location: at the foothills of the cascades, washington
234 posts, read 162,850 times
Reputation: 277
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Just got him the other day and so far I couldn't be happier. He's such a sweetheart and is super super mellow for a heeler (at least from all accounts I've read). I thought heelers were supposed to have boundless energy and always go, go, go but this little guy is content to just lay by my side a lot of the time and get loved on. He never barks and doesn't nip at your heels like heelers often do. Since I can't take him out in public much yet (until he's got all his shots) I wanted to show him off on the web Anyone of you guys on here have heelers? What were the first few months like with your heeler puppy?
How old is he? He looks quite young since he is still so light. If it has just been a day or 2, or if he is quite young - things will change. Is he really your first dog ever?
o.m.g. I love heelers above all others, but don't be fooled
What is your lifestyle? I hope you are super super super active, it sounds like you have read, have you met any heelers?
Take this time as a blessing, that will not last! In my family we joke that they start to mellow about about 13 years old, 11 maybe, but by then you are use different to it. But hey, we choose them because we want that active, brilliant, soul in our lives. So, it is a good thing!
Do you have obedience classes set up? Do you know anyone who does agility, Nosework, herding? If not, now is the time, as your vet, groomers, your local shelter, or pound, friends, and your local paper and Craigslist for training classes. The best ones aren't found online ime.
Find a group that has puppy classes, start now, and go continuously, trick classes, anything you can find at least until he is at least 2 years old. By classes I mean not big box store classes.
Take him everywhere with you now, and get him used to everything strange. If you have friends with good dog friendly dogs do introduce them in a disease free yard. Don't wait until he is 4 months. He needs early and consistent training, and socializing. They can be prone to same sex aggression, so be sure he has good experiences, and try to avoid the dog park, and rough, strange dogs.
Since he is (I think) your first, you won't really know his is a lot of work if you keep him busy for hours every single day he will be a treasure. Don't expect that a walk around the block will be enough. If he starts to destroy things in the house you will know you have not given him enough exercise.
Are you crate training?
Keep us posted. He is really precious.
oooh look at the expression-
hes an adorable little baby- but that expression
hes all heeler-
he will have boundless energy and sharp little teething teeth-
think raw marrow bones and lots of exercise !
I think its great he's a great snuggler and is bonding to you- thats what these sweet baby days are for- enjoy them-
you're in a great location for fun outdoor adventures-
my guys usually are good about staying close on hikes- and I definitely second the puppy class idea/ plus its fun to get out and see other peoples puppies too--
(don't worry about crate training too much its not an absolute necessity and only came into fashion the last 20 years or so, really, I personally think its a huge industry the manufacture/ selling/ training classes around crates -
I have had boxers, a Bernese mountain dog, a golden, a treeing walker, an airedale, a giant schnauzer- as house dogs- no crate training - so believe me on that)..
Heelers are great dogs. I've never had one it will be interesting to hear how he grows up- keep us updated!!
Location: at the foothills of the cascades, washington
234 posts, read 162,850 times
Reputation: 277
Quote:
Originally Posted by simplepeace
How old is he? He looks quite young since he is still so light. If it has just been a day or 2, or if he is quite young - things will change. Is he really your first dog ever?
o.m.g. I love heelers above all others, but don't be fooled
What is your lifestyle? I hope you are super super super active, it sounds like you have read, have you met any heelers?
Take this time as a blessing, that will not last! In my family we joke that they start to mellow about about 13 years old, 11 maybe, but by then you are use different to it. But hey, we choose them because we want that active, brilliant, soul in our lives. So, it is a good thing!
Do you have obedience classes set up? Do you know anyone who does agility, Nosework, herding? If not, now is the time, as your vet, groomers, your local shelter, or pound, friends, and your local paper and Craigslist for training classes. The best ones aren't found online ime.
Find a group that has puppy classes, start now, and go continuously, trick classes, anything you can find at least until he is at least 2 years old. By classes I mean not big box store classes.
Take him everywhere with you now, and get him used to everything strange. If you have friends with good dog friendly dogs do introduce them in a disease free yard. Don't wait until he is 4 months. He needs early and consistent training, and socializing. They can be prone to same sex aggression, so be sure he has good experiences, and try to avoid the dog park, and rough, strange dogs.
Since he is (I think) your first, you won't really know his is a lot of work if you keep him busy for hours every single day he will be a treasure. Don't expect that a walk around the block will be enough. If he starts to destroy things in the house you will know you have not given him enough exercise.
Are you crate training?
Keep us posted. He is really precious.
He's 8 weeks old and he does sleep a lot during the day and then at night squirms around alot in his sleep or wakes me up in the middle of the night with kisses. Ive been letting him sleep in my bed with me to help with any separation anxiety he might have from his mom/siblings. I tried letting him sleep next to my bed on the floor, but he woke in the middle of night unbeknownst to me and peed on my room floor. But when he's in bed with me, I can hear him whimpering and let him outside to potty before any accidents happen.
Haven't enrolled him in puppy classes yet as he hasn't had all his vaccination shots yet. If I go into town, I'll keep him in a puppy sling so he can see what's going on, but keep him safe from anything he might catch like parvo. I did try to introduce him to the neighbors 2 dogs but they are bigger dogs, and very hyper and bark loud. He didn't like that at all and cowered and then bolted into the woods to hide lol.
For now, I'll just take him for walks in the woods near my house for the most part and try and socialize him as much I can after his 2nd round of shots.
Location: at the foothills of the cascades, washington
234 posts, read 162,850 times
Reputation: 277
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAjerseychick
oooh look at the expression-
hes an adorable little baby- but that expression
hes all heeler-
he will have boundless energy and sharp little teething teeth-
think raw marrow bones and lots of exercise !
I think its great he's a great snuggler and is bonding to you- thats what these sweet baby days are for- enjoy them-
you're in a great location for fun outdoor adventures-
my guys usually are good about staying close on hikes- and I definitely second the puppy class idea/ plus its fun to get out and see other peoples puppies too--
(don't worry about crate training too much its not an absolute necessity and only came into fashion the last 20 years or so, really, I personally think its a huge industry the manufacture/ selling/ training classes around crates -
I have had boxers, a Bernese mountain dog, a golden, a treeing walker, an airedale, a giant schnauzer- as house dogs- no crate training - so believe me on that)..
Heelers are great dogs. I've never had one it will be interesting to hear how he grows up- keep us updated!!
Thanks! Yea he definitely has some sharp little teeth on him but he's pretty good about not biting hard. He loves chewing on his rawhide bone.
Yea, I don't think I'll do the crate thing....so far I don't think I'll need it.
And yes, we live on 5 acres at the end of a private road surrounded by woods. And LOTS and LOTS of amazing hiking here. I plan to take him on lots of small hikes in the spring and eventually do the PCT through WA with him.
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Anyone of you guys on here have heelers? What were the first few months like with your heeler puppy?
