Activities For Texas Heelers
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
A Texas Heeler sounds like an ideal dog. Just the word "heeler" makes it seem like your dog is one who will stay right by your side. Well, as a combination of an Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle dog, this dog can be a very intelligent and amicable pet. As a dog with a lot of energy, they enjoy large fields and pastures over small apartments and they absolutely love to play games with you, their favorite person! Get started with one of these perfect activities.
Make Friends
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Treats
Activity description
Texas Heelers are dogs who are very attached to their owners. While you may like a dog who is loyal and protective of you, this is not always a good trait. In fact, Texas Heelers can get a little nippy with strangers and this is a behavior you want to curb when your pup is young. Not only do you want your dog not to nip, but you also do not want them to act defensive in the presence of strangers. Help your dog learn that strangers are okay and that making friends is great by using this easy game.
Step
1
Friend huddle
Grab a few friends and have them come over to help train your pup. It is ideal to have people come over who do not know your dog too well so the quality of being a "stranger" is there. Give all your friends a pocket full of your dog's favorite treats and grab a few for your pockets as well.
Step
2
Shake and treat
Have your friends approach you one by one while you also have your dog at your side. Ask your friend to hug you or just shake your hand but touch is definitely important (this is something that sometimes sends a Texas Heeler off the deep end!). As your friend embraces you, have them also give your dog a treat at the same time.
Step
3
Real world
Once all your friends have said hello and given your pup a treat on several occasions, try this game in the real world. Greet strangers with a nice hello and reward your dog. Make sure your dog is always in control and calm and eventually, your dog will see strangers and new people as just another way to get a treat!
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Flyball
Popular
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Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Tennis Ball
hurdles
Treats
Flyball Box
Activity description
If you haven't heard of flyball by now, it is about time you did! This game has completely changed how dogs play fetch. It is also a very popular dog competition where your super skilled Texas Heeler may win first prize! So, keep practicing until your dog becomes very fast and skilled, then enter them in a contest! The main idea is for your dog to race over hurdles and pounce on a board which releases a tennis ball. Your dog grabs the tennis ball and then races back over the hurdle. How fast can your pup go and with how much accuracy? Let's find out!
Step
1
Hurdles
Set up a row of hurdles for your dog to jump. The Flyball rules require the hurdles to be at the dog's shoulder height so get them adjusted to be the proper size. Next, coax your dog to jump over the hurdle using treats and barriers (so they can't go around or under!). Continue practicing until they are great at running and jumping! Feel free to start with the hurdle at a low height and once your Texas Heeler gets the idea of the task, raise the jump.
Step
2
Ball board
Show your dog the flyball box and encourage them to jump on it in order to release a tennis ball. As your pup's paws land, the ball shoots out. This should be so exciting for your dog that they jump out toward it! Have them catch the ball and run it back to you!
Step
3
Time it
Once your dog is well trained in hurdles and also in how to work a flyball box, it is time to see how quickly your dog can run and jump to complete the course. Once your pup is great at flyball, jumping and catching with ease, enter them in a local flyball competition or join a club for weekly fun in a group.
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Toy Clean Up
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Easy
20 min
Items needed
Treats
Toys
Activity description
Both the Australian Cattle dog and the Australian Shepherd come from herding backgrounds. This trait has certainly carried over to your Texas Heeler who loves anything that may resemble herding. So why not put this characteristic to good use? You can easily show your dog how to help clean up their toys every day - a skill that is not only free of cost and useful but also plays to your dog's herding abilities. Surely your Texas Heeler has a lot of toys laying around your house and you shouldn't be the one picking them up! It is time to teach your dog some responsibility in a fun, playful way!
Step
1
Toy spot
Designate a spot for your dog's toys in your house if you have not done so already. Then show the area to your dog and say, "Toy Spot" or "Bin" - whatever you want to call this place is fine! Every time your dog passes the area, say the command and then give him a treat. Your Texas Heeler will quickly learn the name of the toy bin location.
Step
2
Toy clean up
As you go about cleaning up your Texas Heeler's toys as you typically do, say phrases such as "clean up", "toys" and "toy bin". Show your dog how to put the toys into their location. Have your pup hold a toy and then guide them toward the toy spot and reward them when they put it down.
Step
3
Everyday!
After watching you, receiving encouragement and rewards and knowing exactly where the toys go, your dog will know how to pick up heir toys. When you command your Texas Heeler to clean, they will! Going back and forth, picking up one toy after another and putting it in its place is like herding - a skill your dog loves to use!
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More Fun Ideas...
Treibball
Find a local treibball league for your pup to join. Here they will get to herd and run - two things your Texas Heeler definitely needs! If you find your dog is good at the sport, enter them into some fun competitions!
Running
With herding and stamina in their background, these dogs love to run, chase and just go, go, go! Bring your dog on a jog with you to get out some of that constant energy. Just be sure to match your dog's pace and never push them too hard!
Conclusion
Your Texas Heeler may not be a purebred dog who has a long history of herding but they do come from a long line of herding pups, which means they certainly have that trait too! Set up herding games for your Texas Heeler and they are sure to be the happiest pup on the block! Running games and getting used to strangers are also equally beneficial and things your dog will not only love but also something they need!