Triggered? Or Just Protective? ~ Dog Reactivity & Social Skills ~

Discussing if Sully's reactivity is triggers and fear or protection. It's most likely both, it's a heeler. 😆😊
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[@loriroush1873]

Thank you so much for sharing!! We are not alone in this Heeler world. Oh gosh Sully and my Harley are so similar in the Heeler breed. I can associate so well with a lot you are describing. She is protective of me in the vet office but let them take the leash and go in the back she is just fine. She definitely thinks she needs to protect me always. And the surprise bubble intrusion...ooo boy that is definitely not good for Harley. Its always the worst because I don't see it coming to prepare. She actually has an auto sit happening taught by me when a car drives by-- but we are still working on her lunging once the car gets right next to us. They are a work in progress. They notice EVERYTHING. They are a work of love. And the pandemic did not help her puppy days with socialization. AND you are so correct with people not respecting your space. They always want to come too close without permission.

[@erinmuetz8771]

The best dogs ever.

[@bethcunningham4346]

Yep, they are crazy, reactive, protective, all the things. And loving. It takes lots of patience to have one! Thanks for all of your wise advice!! 🙏🏻❤

[@jasonpotts4279]

Lulu loves everybody i mean she is so bloody friendly lol anyone comes near our yard tho thats when ya see a different lulu

[@irishcubs01]

Cattle dogs can move LIGHTING fast when they want too. That's the tricky thing to catch sometimes with strangers, etc.

[@michaelbrady181]

I have a sign, has Heelers on it, says we can make it to the gate in 2.1 seconds, can you?? Lol

[@TheHeelerMama]

Exactly that's why I tell them to keep their distance. Especially with Sully. Man he is spring loaded with those kangaroo jumps. He is literally the flying raptor lol

[@jjsolly5039]

Hi Alek, Love "He doesn't have to be perfect for the world, he's perfect for Me"! 💜 Progress! I see it! Do you take him to the Vet's just for a cookie in the lobby & leave? Do you notice if he is more friendly with female dogs than male? Usually m+f get along better, and, goodness, Sully is surrounded by "sisters"! Even at Miss Ruthie's advancing age, we train daily, I believe, as you do, in daily doggie enrichment: hidden kongs, a quick set of tricks, fetch, teaching new tricks to keep her mind sharp! Sully has come A Long Way! Protect vs Aggression? Protect more likely, and Keep building Sully's confidence. What a Good Boy! Joyful Palm Sunday blessings to you, Alek!🙏💕✝️🐕‍🦺😊 Much Love, JJ & Miss Ruthie

[@TheHeelerMama]

Thank you JJ! He's so terrified of the vet office he will actually stop dead in his tracks and I have to talk him through it just to go through the door and reassure him I'm coming with him. As soon as we hit the lobby he wants out and won't even take cookies from me. Not sure if they would be cool with me going there all the time just for training but if I ever have to pick something up from there I think I will take him just so he knows it's not always a bad visit. And yes, he usually reacts worse on male dogs. He just has to make sure no other man is stealing his ladies lol Many blessings to you and Ruthie!

[@darrinquigley6919]

My Siamese cat is very protective she will run to the door and do The cougar growl if someone knocks on my door or if she hears someone walking through the backyard

[@tiffanykorb6704]

My friend just dropped off an 8 month unspayed red heeler who is totally untrained just luckily good around kids cause I have 2 young boys. Do you have any tips on where to start? She is at least potty trained and understands sit? But this girl is sweet yet WILD

[@TheHeelerMama]

Give her some time to adjust to things but start setting up a routine with her. Work your life schedule into hers. Make sure she has designated times for play and exercise in her routine. Giving her proper play and exercise will help a bit (notice I said a bit) of the crazy to calm down. She's at an age where they can be totally nuts and since she's not spayed I'm sure her hormones are helping contribute a bit to the crazy as well. That's really good she's good with your boys. Work daily with her and make a plan of what you plan on teaching weekly. You can do more than one thing but having a plan helps. Don't throw everything at them at once.

[@eannicole205]

Teach your boys how to respect her. Make sure they understand basic dog socializing. There is a new book by Louise Glazebrook.

[@tanyarichards7862]

Sully is my Benjamin in a nut shell ❤ keep out of our bubble. Amen

[@erinmuetz8771]

We also have to protect the bubble.

[@03500]

I really love your videos, thank you so much but your choice of leash, Flexileash is terrible, you can never have full control of a dog with flexi leash, my two cents

[@TheHeelerMama]

Glad you enjoy them! Flexis are not the only leash I use with the crew, which I'm pretty sure this vid shows he's not always on one but I would disagree about not having control. Never had an issue using them except for the newer version they came out with didn't lock like the classic, and never has that version unlocked on me which he was usually locked when I felt it was needed. He's doing 10x better since this vid. But it's okay if you don't like them, we all can have our own opinions on things. 😊❤

[@gloriamccarchey1355]

Oh I have this same situation coming up this week to vet.and she hates it. I hate it worse because I hate that she thinks I'm taking her somewhere to be hurt with shots, blood draw ,etc. I am totally overprotective of her and it's just a dreadful experience at vet. I hope it gets better as I am too old for that!! Ha ha.

[@TheHeelerMama]

I hope it gets better too!! ❤

[@lucylemonte8780]

Yep they are very protective. He’s doing pretty good with me having people in my house. He doesn’t get along with all dogs . N he has his certain people that he loves .

[@darrinquigley6919]

I don’t blame you you cannot trust anyone this day in age I don’t trust anyone 😎👍

[@kellysauerhage8898]

❤ mine is definitely protective.... with a little reactive

[@christinesipes4173]

I have a heeler who is attacking my cats. I have no idea why he is doing it. I’m at a loss to know what to do.

[@edwardwilcox6712]

Woo Woo some sweet pup

[@brandillysmom]

My daughter just brought home a 7 week old female Pembroke Corgi-Australian Shepard-Blue Heeler puppy…… Blue Heeler is STRONG with this one❤️🐶✨

[@TheHeelerMama]

Wishing you all the luck and strength to get through it! lol 💙corgis and shepards can have some tude too, a different tude but throw that in with heeler attitude man lol

[@carlamartinez4728]

Thank you! I really need to hear this. My Donnie has all these traits as much as Sully. It's a lot of work! I need this encouragement. Thank you again!!!😅🎉😂

[@TheHeelerMama]

You got this!

[@terryheasley7027]

Oh, Alex. I just discovered you today in my desperation of trying to figure out my dog. I have had many dogs in my life, but none as difficult as this four month old puppy who I got as a rescue. I learned that he is a mix of blue heeler, black lab, and husky. My last dog was also a heeler mix rescue, and she was the perfect dog. (Evidently that isn’t how most ACDs behave.) I hope that learning things from you will help me understand this pup and give me the patience not to give him up because he’s totally crazy, and I’m a senior citizen now .

[@TheHeelerMama]

I'm glad you found us too. Hope some of the videos help and there are many people on here too willing to help as well. It's like you need a village or support group to raise these babies 😆❤ Husky and heeler whew that's a lot. My best advice is really stick to a routine as strictly as possible with feeding, nap and play and really make those play exercise sessions count. I always say train and do enrichment multiple times a day with them if they don't have work. If you have questions just ask. Email is the best way to get a hold of me these days.

[@CodedBookworm]

My Willow, as I've talked to you about a little bit in the past, had a very bad reactivity problem for the first couple years of her life. It is under a lot more control now, but it was something I had to work with absolutely every single day for a long period. You hit the nail on the head when you said Heelers are just naturally more suspicious than many other breeds. I've just learned that Willow, in particular, needs me to be very firm about what is and isn't acceptable behavior. I want to clarify that firm doesn't mean mean or abusive in any way, shape, or form. But yes, we are their everything. On the other end of the spectrum, I have my 8-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer puppy who has never met a stranger in dog or person form 😂

[@TheHeelerMama]

I totally understood what you meant! ❤

[@michaelbrady181]

I think Mr Man is doing great!! I have just come to accept my Ryah Cole just don't like other dogs!! She is great with meeting people and protects kids like you wouldn't believe, I tell her to watch out for the neighbor kids and the other night she was loosing it, I look out the window and their Mom was out there, I said that's their Momma baby, she wasn't ok with this lady around them kids lol so cute!! You train your dogs better than anyone I know, mine listen to me but are also not in dog military so if you don't want them to jump on you, don't come over 😂. I love dogs to jump up and give hugs and stuff, anyways, y'all take care and much love to all the animals!! Oh and my dogs would definitely have bit that cat!! They don't know cats at all so they are the enemy!!

[@TheHeelerMama]

Aww Ryah!! Such a good mama instinct in her! She was probably thinking "dad you sure that lady is safe?" lol I the same with the pups jump hugs. I love them. They know to wait and then do it except Gypsy. Since she was a baby she always shot up for hugs for everyone. She was thinking about that cat for sure, but I kept telling her that is the one you made friends with. Not all other kitties are safe on our walks. And thank you. ❤ Not just for Mr. Man but for thinking I know what I'm doing lol Much love to you all!

[@eannicole205]

What about basket muzzle? Have you heard of box training? If not I can send info 💙

[@TheHeelerMama]

He's been trained to use his muzzle. He gets a bit pissy wearing it but if I ever do one on one with someone he will have to wear it. Haven't heard of box training. Just googled it but it seems similar to building confidence type training? I've used a box and stool before with the girls for some tricks but haven't done that in awhile. Not sure if that is exactly the same or not.

[@bigbearfive5]

I've come to the conclusion... cattle dogs are bipolar

[@TheHeelerMama]

😆 Yeah some seem to have that, and they all 100% seem to be OCD.

[@bennyhill3642]

I feel your doing a gr8 job with your BH'S

[@TheHeelerMama]

Thank you.

[@AriomSilie]

What causes reactivity? Is it lack of socialization as a puppy?

[@TheHeelerMama]

Yes it's usually lack of practice when they are pups. I said this in the other response but I will say it again practice as much as possible getting them into positive situations with people and dogs when they are young. And hopefully it sticks when they are older.

[@cable54-guy15]

A cattle dog afraid of a person in a cowboy hat? Ironic 😂

[@TheHeelerMama]

😆 Right? I was like seriously? This is what we are upset about now?

[@Figmentius]

lol he keeps looking at you as if to say "MAAAA i wanna go up there lemme goooo "

[@TheHeelerMama]

lol someday lol Funny thing is he's unlocked most of the time and still stays there.

[@busywithdogs]

He is doing great! I really think people have unrealistic expectations of dogs and what a friendly dog looks like. Dogs should be allowed their personal space, and "wave" from afar. Polite dogs that are at peace with their surroundings is good enough, and should be the norm. Good job understanding, advocating and training your babies.

[@TheHeelerMama]

Thank you. ❤ Hope you are your crew are doing well. I caught a glimpse of the crate training vid but had to leave for work.

[@busywithdogs]

We are doing good, last week all the dogs decided to have housebreaking regressions at the same time, so that was fun. Oh, and our human toddler decided that playing in his poop was fun those same few days. It was a crap show here for a few days.😅 But, they have settled down on those fronts. @@TheHeelerMama

[@TheHeelerMama]

@@busywithdogs sounds like you all know how to party 🥳 😆 ❤️

[@busywithdogs]

@@TheHeelerMama 🤣 Oh yeah, we get wild. 😝

[@IAmJeka]

0:21 omg I CANNOT walk mine without her reacting to other dogs or people approaching or talking to me. BUT if I take her to a dog park she could care less for me. I DO NOT GET IT. Blue heeler safe just so different. But I adore mine. She’s my life. She’s my baby.

[@IAmJeka]

By the way he looks so much like my blue heeler. The spots in the face and the percentage of brown and black and the beautiful white spot on top of the head which you could see more on some than others.

[@TheHeelerMama]

Sometimes the hardest thing is figuring out what is going on upstairs with them lol. ❤

[@DW-oj6yu]

These dogs are the best, wouldn't trade my rescue heeler/pit in for the world. Thanks for the video!

[@IAmJeka]

8:33 btw have you tried special training to be able to have people over and him be out? Not trying to tell you to do it just asking if maybe you did and didn’t work? We did a special training after I had her for a year and a LOT of things got better. My main issues are still children (she will go after them anywhere) and leash walks. Also the first 10 mins of strangers being introduced. Other dogs as I had mentioned in another comment are major issues UNLESS she meets them at the dog park. Occasionally she’ll be ok with a dog that is not her pug sister in our house.

[@TheHeelerMama]

Oh you are totally fine. We did have some in person training at my house when he was a baby and it started off well but it wasn't enough. People were either too busy or too freaked out still to visit so by the time we got people to come over again he just took it as intruder and had a freak out moment where he though my mother n law was going after his ladies and got her in the leg and it's never been the same since with the house. And now nobody I know wants to work with him because they are terrified of him. My bff says she will but both of us back to work we can't seem to get the same day off to try to work with him. And what he went through after that surgery I think in his head he's terrified of someone causing him pain again like that or taking him away from mama. I have a few old friends I might reach out to that work with dogs and see if they are willing.

[@IAmJeka]

@@TheHeelerMama oh wow I’m so so sorry to hear that. It’s so hard to feel like this wonderful soul that you adore and that adores you back scares others to the point of people not being able to come around. If you don’t mind me asking how severe was the injury to your mother in law? Is she ok? Also did he bite and let go or he held? Mine went after the fence one day cause the neighbors dog (may her dog now rest in peace) was there. It’s a tall wooden fence so they can’t see each other but Pepper went crazy and she redirected the aggression towards our pug for like a second and my fiance freaked out and intervene and Pepper did a strong nip on her hand. It didn’t require stitches but it affected us all for a while. My partner was terrified of her for a while but man you could tell after the fact how guilty pepper felt she ran in the house and got in her crate and then tried to walk around my partner. Our vet started talking to us about those redirected aggressions and the anxiety these type of dogs can feel and how they react. I’m also looking for a trainer that isn’t scared and that would work in payment plans cause it just breaks my heart

[@TheHeelerMama]

@@IAmJeka Oh I don't mind answering. She's okay. The bite required stitches. His K9 went in and sliced her. I shared the story in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2a7n6yujJKJicUsi=Ir8TfYDGxXQtJaUF It's at the 3:38 mark. She actually blames herself but I blame me for not having him. He was on a leash but she wouldn't listen to us to sit which started his reaction and then it escalated with my older girl at the time coming in and all dogs went into protect mode and Sully went to far. She totally gets that he was just being protective and the sad thing he was actually developing a really good relationship with her when she came over and then he had that surgery to remove a squeaker and he wasn't the same. I blame a lot of how he is with people on that surgery and also lack of practice. We got him at the end of the cofloofy so it was hard to socialize him when people didn't want to come around cuz of that. But I know what you mean. I feel guilty he did that but I also know how protective this breed can be. We were completely shook by the whole thing. What kills me is how much I see him want to try and then his fear enters and then I see the body language of some people. He senses too when people get cautious of him and that seems to make him anxious as well. I have a few more things I'm going to try but for him to go to that level of protect the mother for me I will always have to watch him even if I can get him better at his skills. I can say one thing I feel completely safe with my boy around lol. I have no fear hiking or camping with him by my side. I wish you luck in finding a trainer. My last boy had some issues too and it took us forever to find a trainer that understood how this breed is and what to do for them. A lot of what she taught me I share on this channel.

[@myrnahermann7000]

Hi from Australia. We have our 3rd cattle dog now. There was a big hiatus between our first two and now Ruby. Lots of other breeds in between in our 45 years of marriage. Rottweilers, Ridgeback, Staffies, Doberman, all absolutely beautiful. We had to say goodbye to our two gorgeous girls Rottie and Ridgie last year and our hearts ache. And then along comes Ruby, our little Firecracker. She's 18 months old now. Was guarding at 3 months. We live on acreage and everything in a 20 mile radius is apparently hers. That includes air space :) . She is so unlike our other 2 cattle dogs. Mate (our blue) was only grumpy after he came home from the vet. Apart from that he was fine with people we had visit. As was Coedie (our red). He guarded me but not like Ruby. She went to puppy preschool and was great there. But as she 's gotten older she's become more protective of everything she feels is part of her family. Loyal beyond compare. Learning to use radio buttons as she needs to learn new things. I think she gravitates more to my husband as he is the discipline roll model, where as I'm her play thing. I totally get what you say abpit your bubble as Ruby has created one of her own. She is also our first dog to have us home after we retired from work. The others all waved us goodbye and had each other until we got home. We will get another dog when she's around 2 years old, not another cattle dog, but an adult from our local rescue (breed a surprise). She will need to learn to play well with others. Loves our cat and they play chasie. We need to get her out more and out of her comfort zone. I do feel however that the Ruby we have now, will be the Ruby we have forever. Love your channel and all the best with Mr Man.

[@MrRolloBaggins]

I have an 8 month old Blue, her name is Ruby ❤. She's my first acd. What a wild ride it has been

[@myrnahermann7000]

@@MrRolloBaggins and trust me every day will be a wild ride. Has she gotten you into her routine yet? Our Ruby certainly has. Must go outside to play ball every other hour, must play with squeaky toys in the house at many random times throughout the day. She tells us when she's ready for bed and woe betide us if we don't notice. She gave the cat a heart attack tonight. Quietly walked up behind him and did one huge squeak of her toy. He jumped about 4 feet in the air. Your Ruby will be the most loyal and loving companion, enjoy her everyday.

[@TheHeelerMama]

Thank you and I hope you can get Ruby a bit out of it too and I hope she will accept a new pup in the future. Cracks me up you say her bubble includes the sky. My Silver thought that too. Sky and more than half the neighborhood was hers lol. Wishing you strength in your healing over your girls. ❤

[@TheHeelerMama]

Love that you say their routine. I sometimes question if the routine is mine or theirs lol especially with Sully. He gets so mad if we do not go to bed on time.

[@carlamartinez4728]

Donnie likes to go to bed at 8:30, if not 8 pm. He just looks at me and stomps off to the bedroom. Then he wakes up full of joy and enthusiasm in the morning, somewhere between 5 and 6. I tell people he has rules he lives by, because he's got an opinion on just about everything