I have a 6 yr old rottweiler who is an outside dog and I can already tell "Chigger" is going to annoy her (very hyper) so I was wondering about making her an inside dog and can tag along with my 3 1/2 yr old.
2006-08-14 07:27:59 · 9 answers · asked by haleydwh 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I used to raise heelers, and I kept a couple of them in the house. They make good house dogs, and can easily be house broken. If she is a puppy, and you leave her alone she will probably chew pretty bad, but they are also easy to crate train. If she is older, she should be past the chewing stage. They are very hyper dogs, and need to run a lot. Every chance that you get, you need to let her run so she can burn off some of that energy. They make very good ball dogs, and love a good game of catch with a tennis ball. I would bounce the ball off of a wall and they would jump up and catch it. heelers are my all time favorite dogs, and I will have another one someday... you take good care of Chigger and have lots of fun with her
2006-08-14 07:37:57 · answer #1 · answered by Just Me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heelers are not the best choice for house dogs. They are very smart, curious, and energetic. If you are talking about a 3 1/2 yr old human child, you might have another problem because while heelers are very affectionate and protective with their family, they can play awfully rough. Heelers are working dogs, and need an activity that will keep them busy and give them a feeling of usefulness and self-esteem. One of my heelers (the older one) has the job of going with me on my chores of going to the compost pit behind the barn, and of filling the wildlife watering devices out beyond the yard. The other heeler has a pulling harness and will pull a utility wagon with tools, drinking water, and materials for fence repairs, brush-clearing, or other tasks required for our maintenance. They may be in the house while the people are home, but they really need a lot of outside time and enjoy physical activity. It might be better to make your Rottie the inside dog and let Chigger have the yard for awhile.
2006-08-14 07:47:31 · answer #2 · answered by dig4words 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely yes. Heelers are very active dogs and when left alone will create there own games that you don't like. Like running away. Digging. Jumping fences. Eating your lawn furniture.
Even if you have the best of intentions, we all know you won't spend any time with the dog when the weather is bad or if your life becomes busy. His brain will go all mushy and he'll be a socially deprived basket case before he's a year old.
Dogs in social family situations are better behaved and less likely to bite. Statistically the vast majority of dog bite cases are from "yard dogs". And the pound is full of dogs that were never socialized and were tossed away after years as yard ornaments.
Besides you will have so much more fun if your dog is part of your family.
While you're at it bring the Rottie in too.
2006-08-14 07:38:45 · answer #3 · answered by Robin D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, be cautious with your new heeler pup & your child. Heelers ARE heelers & they will nip at your heels & the heels of your 3 1/2 yr. old.
These are great dogs though. They are generally very loyal & can be very protective of their people. Be sure to socialize the pup as much as possible to keep the pup from being overly protective though. Remember also that these are VERY ACTIVE dogs, they require mental stimulation or they will become destructive & a bit obcessive. Proper training is essential to help with this. Be sure to provide PLENTY of physical excersise as well. Also be sure to not leave the child alone with the dog until YOU know for sure how you child & the pup will get along together. It makes me crazy to see people who let their kids sit, lay or ride on their dogs. They let the kids practically torture animals & then expect the animals to just sit & take. When the animal does defend itself, the owners FREAK OUT!!!!
Anyway good Luck with your new pup!!!!
2006-08-14 07:42:47 · answer #4 · answered by More Lies & More Smoke Screens 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A blue heeler is a breed that needs a lot to do to keep them occupied (their minds as well as a lot of exercise). If they don't get it they'll become worse than hyper, they'll become destructive. This heeler is going to have to get along with your rottweiler because I'm thinking they'll be outside in the same yard at some point.
Get this dog lots of exercise and do things with her like agility or fly ball or something and she won't be so hyper.
2006-08-14 07:34:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-03-16 22:15:50 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's Very Hyper, and taller than your child, I wouldn't recommend Inside Pet status without an obediance training class for the dog AND YOU... hyper dogs tend to bump, shove into, or Jump-up.... and could knock your child down... training would enable you to call the dog OFF (get DOWN command), if it gets too playful, or your child isn't in the mood to play... and Training makes a MUCH more enjoyable pet.
2006-08-14 07:37:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the point of even owning dogs when you don't actually live with them?
Bring them both in.
2006-08-14 07:39:52 · answer #8 · answered by tenzo0 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you should make her an inside dog. It will protect her from all the outside dangers.
2006-08-14 07:35:35 · answer #9 · answered by Cat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋