Off-Leash Hike with My Heeler: Talking E-collars, Breed Temperaments, & Training Styles

I had a blue, his name was willie. He was an amazing trail buddy. One time and one time only he ran off, after that he would not get out of sight from me. Absolutely loved hiking with him. He had to carry the biggest stick he could find. Always felt safe with him, knew he would protect me no matter what. He would herd my horses and bring them in for me. He died March 19, 2020. Miss him with all my heart!! Still cry for him.

i've only ever had heelers. I don't think I would ever have a different companion. SMART, SMART, SMART!!! How some lists have them at #10 kills me! Brave, exhausting, loving. They can swim, too. Not their favorite thing, but more than willing. You'll never have to worry with one of these guys around.

Gus hikes off leash 99.99% of the time. The only time he is leashed is if we are in a high bear or cat activity area and there is lots of sign, a swift river crossing or areas were a fall is very possible. We actually had a USFS ranger compliment us on his manners and command responses. I have Gus trained to stop and sit when I say WAIT! He is also trained to not round corners on the trail and when I say "Off Trail" he moves off the trail and waits for people to pass by.

I had herding dogs all my life. From the time I was born until now, I'm 32. I've had 1 acd and 1 mix that is half acd and half border collie. Cautious is the best word to describe them. Their level of attention and skepticism is not matched by many, if any at all. They are tried and true "supervisors".

My cattle dog was such a challenge for me ( got 1 as my first dog lol) and he turned me into a dog trainer , I start training dogs Monday and I get to take him to work with me every day. So grateful I got a cattle dog

Had a wonderfully behaved blue heeler, Bandit for 4 years. He had perfect heel and recall with me off leash. My boyfriend took him for a walk one day and didnt use the leash like i said to. He went across a street to greet a person he recognized on our front porch and was hit by a truck in front of my house. These are one person dogs, they don't respond to other people telling them the same commands. Wish I had known about e collars back then. Thanks for sharing this information.

My old boy (red heeler) just turned 14 and is battling arthritis (but loves his pain meds) so the days of heavy exercise and hiking are over. He mainly sleeps, eats and farts now - which is ok...he's earned it.

I have 4 cattle dogs and a toy fox terrier

My 1.5yo ACD is a work in progress..lol. He had a huge prey drive. Getting better with leave it when he's not super excited or those darn bunnies dart across the yard. I have used ecollar on occasion. Buzz to strengthen "come" and a quick tap to reinforce leave it. His worst trait currently is the reactivity to other dogs and some people. If only he wouldn't lunge at every bicycle and scooter!!! Love your pup. More vids!

Just rescued(like literally out of a drug house) a Cattle/German shepherd mix. Your videos are super helpful for me in learning to train her. I've had huskies for 25 years, but this one is different for sure.

I have a frisbee loving Texas Cow dog. At least two hours at the park everyday. He works so hard and stays focused the whole time on his frisbees. Also a great trail dog on a hike or Mt biking… never leaves my side. Keep up the great content…

When Mars hit those teen months, he was a nightmare. :) He was into tipping the trashcans. One day I gave up and bolted the plastic cans to the side of the steel toolshed. By the next day he'd ripped them off the bolts. I gave up and bought a fiberglass Navy Surplus missile shipping container and converted it into a dumpster. Then I had to add a latch to the hinged lid I made, because of course Mars was still jumping on it and opening the lid. Somehow we both survived. He's 9 now, so he's mellowed down to the level of a "normal" dog. Asleep at my feet right now. Knows the mail truck when it's a quarter mile away but still in sight. Has one specific type of bark for the one specific carrier who loves to talk to him. All the other carriers get the Fuck You bark. He recognizes mail trucks, UPS trucks, FedEx trucks, orange aprons on the people at Home Depot (they have the treats!), knows if I hug or shake someone's hand that they're "Friend," when I have to drive into NV from AZ, I stop at Goldfield because he has His One Bush that he has to pee on. Also knows the Hidden Treasures store where Brian (passed last year) would give him cookies. Has recall like I've never experienced, it just came naturally. He's my hiking buddy, just like you showed in your video here. And he knew every farmcat who ever lived on the farm where we used to live; strays wandering onto the property got the bum rush. I know he won't live forever, and that's gonna be hard someday.

Charlie, my heeler cross kelpie is the best, I didn't realise heelers were so popular in the US. Give 'em your time, love and a feed and they're yours forever. Next level best friend

I'm on my 5th heeler over the last 35 years. Although they were a little different from each other. They all are so similar. Thanks for the great videos

Never been married but I've had a few heelers! Money in the bank feels good...! Timmy C Arizona

Tried positive reinforcement training with my heeler. It's great for developing foundations but later I discovered that she excelled with e-collar training.

I worked with a trainer to learn the use of the Ecollar and it is a great tool, she listens well now and is very responsive. I’m lucky we have a ranch where she has more freedom. She knows if I hit vibrate she needs to respond so she doesn’t need any stronger unless she doesn’t come or tries to blow me off. She is a small working Aussie and is two now and I see growth in her thinking and reasoning, but when little she challenged me at every opportunity. Always have had this breed and so many different personalities and gifts in each. My last Aussie would alert to rattlesnakes, something you really can’t teach them.

We love your videos and own a wonderful Red Heeler named Maverick. Yes, this breed is so intelligent!!

I have a 15 week old Bluey it's my 6th cattle dog, my aim is to have him as good as cowboy. Good work and love your content mate.

It’s Cowboy! He’s super super cute the content isn’t too bad either. Cheers