Australian Cattle Dog
Tough, smart and tireless, the Australian Cattle Dog was developed to drive cattle across rough country. It bonds closely and needs work to do.
Photo: Zingpix · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Bred for
- Driving cattle across long distances in Australia
- Typical energy
- Very high
- Size
- Medium
Where to start
Usually motivated by having a job, play and food. Use that in training and keep sessions short and rewarded.
First focus
Teach "leave it" and "stay" early, because chasing and heel nipping come naturally.
Next
Give daily mental work, such as trick training, scent games and puzzle toys.
Daily habit
Practice settling on a mat, so a dog who loves to work also learns to switch off.
Breed notes describe tendencies in a group of dogs, not your dog. Every dog is an individual, and Dogify does not assess your dog. This is general training information and not a substitute for a qualified professional.
Chosen for the Australian Cattle Dog
How to teach "leave it"
Teach your dog to ignore what is on the floor, on the sidewalk or on your plate, in five stages that build real self-control.
Teach your dog to settle on a mat
A calm default behavior you can use at the cafe, at meals and when guests arrive: how to teach "go to your mat" in short sessions.
Puppy biting and mouthing: what to do instead
Why puppies use their teeth, what to do in the moment, and a simple plan that teaches a gentle mouth without scaring your dog.
