If you’re a parent or intending parent to a blue heeler, one question that will always be on your mind is:
” When will my blue heeler calm down?”
Yes, they’re adorable and fun to be around but their energy level can be exhausting sometimes (if not most of the time).
In this article, we’ll be looking at whether or not this rambunctious breed has any hope of calming down.
However, before we discuss factors that might influence their energy level, let’s understand why Blue Heelers are so energetic.
Why are Blue Heelers Extremely Energetic?
Blue heelers, also known as ‘Australian cattle dogs’ or ‘Cattle dogs’, were initially bred to work on the field. They were used to transport livestock over long distances.
This job description required them to be energetic and alert. C’mon, you don’t expect dogs saddled with such responsibility to be dull?
So we can say they were made for the wild!
Let’s agree that their rambunctious nature is a valuable asset for the wild, it isn’t a valuable asset for an indoor setting.
No one enjoys a dog that’s always restless. Looking after such a dog can be overwhelming, no matter how much you love them.
Even though they’re restless, Blue heelers are fun to be around and are very loyal dogs. But you can’t help but ask:
“Is there hope that one day my Blue heeler will calm down?”
The answer is yes, there is hope. If you keep reading, you’ll learn when they’ll calm down and how to make them calm down.
At What Age Do Australian Cattle Dogs (Blue Heelers) Calm Down?
At the initial stages of their lives, Blue heelers are adventurous and curious about their surroundings. As they mature they begin to calm down.
They’re generally seen to calm down between the ages of 2-6 years.
However, it’s important to note that even though they’re seen to calm down, their energy level remains the same.
They’re naturally high-spirited and enthusiastic. These are traits that can’t be erased from their nature but can be tamed.
Although these dogs are believed to calm down at a certain age, there are determining factors involved in achieving this goal ( i.e calming them down).
The good thing about these factors is that you can control them. Ready to know what these factors are?
Keep reading.
Here are 4 Easy and Effective Ways of Calming a Cattle Dog (Blue Heelers) Down
Early Socialization
Socialization is crucial for this breed of dog. The earlier they’re integrated into society the better.
Early socialization helps them deal with anxiety caused by new environments. When Cattle dogs are anxious, they become restless, and given their energetic nature this isn’t good.
Apart from dealing with anxiety, early socialization helps them develop adjustment mechanisms, so they can easily blend into any social setting.
Regular Exercising
Blue heelers are very energetic dogs that need to exert themselves. When they’re conditioned to exercise at a particular time for a given period, it helps them calm down after the exercise.
Dog Training
They should be trained as early as possible. It’s generally recommended that their training starts 6 months after they’ve been brought home.
Within this training period, they’re expected to learn some basic commands. It’s also expected that this is the period you learn how to communicate with your dog.
This is a very important step that shouldn’t be overlooked. They’re training will determine how fast they’ll learn to calm down. It’s also during this phase they learn to obey you.
Mental Stimulation
Blue heelers are very intelligent. Mental stimulation in the form of dog games helps to keep them mentally engaged. The more mentally engaged they are, the less active they become and the more rest you can have.
It’s a simple trick!
Conclusion
Blue heelers will always be active and there is nothing you can do about it. However, if you follow the simple steps outlined above, you’ll be able to condition them to behave in a certain way.
Did you find this article helpful? We’ll love to hear what you have to say in the comment section.