Do you sometimes wonder why your Blue Heeler does the things he does? This breed is extremely popular, yet they have the tendency to be very quirky.
Many owners desire insight into the why behind the behaviors they see with their new puppy. Some of these behaviors can be easily explained and traced back to the heritage of your dog’s ancestors.
Blue Heeler quirks can include being wary of strangers, herding the children, digging in the water dish, and having excessively mouthy behaviors.
They get bored easily and have a constant need for attention. Much of this behavior can be traced back to their herding instinct and their loyal nature.
If you have been wondering about your Blue Heeler’s personality and quirks, this breakdown will help explain some of those puzzling behaviors.
Blue Heeler Behavior and Personalities
If you are considering getting a Blue Heeler, you probably want to know what their general temperament is like. This can help you determine whether the breed is going to be the right fit for you and your family.
This breed is extremely intelligent, making them fast learners when you start to work with them in earnest. They are constantly alert and are paying attention to the things you say and the things you do.
Because of their high intelligence, they do need to be constantly engaged in a mentally stimulating activity. Many owners cannot constantly be a companion to their Blue Heeler, which is where stimulating puzzle toys can come in handy.
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Blue Heelers are known for being extremely active dogs. They are a working breed that was bred to herd animals.
This means that you will need to actively seek out exercise for your Blue Heeler if you want to keep some of their herding instinct in check.
They are also well-known for being extremely loyal and protective of their owners. Blue Heelers tend to bond closely with a small group of people and can be protective over them in unfamiliar situations.
Each Blue Heeler will have its own unique personality, but these traits are common to many dogs of this breed.
Be prepared to learn what your own dog likes and dislikes as your puppy comes into adulthood.
Read Next: Why your Blue Heeler Follows you Everywhere
10 Blue Heeler Quirks
While each dog may have their own personality, many Blue Heelers share a few unique quirks. These behaviors are common among the breed, so be prepared to see many of them surface when you bring home your new puppy.
1. Wary of Strangers
One of the reasons so many people love Blue Heelers is because of their fierce loyalty to the people they love. They are loving almost to a fault, but this can make them a little wary of strangers.
Why do strangers tend to set off alarm bells for this particular breed?
It often has to do with the fact that they are a bit too possessive over you.
Blue Heelers do not like sharing their owners with others, especially people they don’t know and aren’t comfortable with.
This is something you can work on with your dog while they are still young. Practice socializing with lots of different people, including both children and adults.
This will teach your Blue Heeler that other people are not to be feared or concerned about. Your canine companion won’t need to worry that strangers might pose a threat.
2. Herding the Children
Have you noticed your Blue Heeler running around with your kids in the backyard? If so, then you probably noticed this common phenomenon.
As your children are running and playing, your Blue Heeler is chasing after them while nipping at their heels.
Herding behavior is instinctual for this breed, and they view the children as just another thing for them to gather into one convenient location.
Stopping this quirky behavior can be a bit of a challenge because it is absolutely instinctual. You can work to minimize herding behavior by teaching basic obedience.
When your dog starts to notice the children playing and roughhousing, you can offer a simple “leave it” command. You could also ask them to lie down or sit.
There are a lot of solutions to this problem, but they all start with the foundations of basic obedience training.
3. Intense Whining
While all puppies are prone to whining from time to time, Blue Heelers are a bit more dedicated to this practice.
They can whine long and loud with no end in sight for owners who just want some peace and quiet. This is particularly true of puppies.
When you first get your puppy home from the breeder or the pet store, they are going to have a hard time adjusting to their new surroundings. As a result, you are going to be in for some intense whining.
In order to curb this behavior, you need to wait it out. Never let your dog out simply because they are whining. They will learn that this behavior gets them attention and the whining will never cease. Be patient. Eventually, this behavior should fade.
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4. Bored with the Same Toys
Many people love Blue Heelers specifically because of their high intelligence. They can be trained to do just about anything with a little dedication and time.
Unfortunately, most people do not realize that high intelligence means they will also need a lot of mental stimulation.
If you present them with the same three toys to play with all the time, they will quickly grow bored and find something else to occupy their time. You may not like what they choose to get into next!
The best thing to do is to keep them happy with a variety of toys. Constantly introduce something new to them or rotate out the toys they have available to play with.
Interest them in puzzle toys that can keep their busy brains active and engaged for longer than simple stuffed animals or chew toys.
For example, you can stuff a Kong with frozen peanut butter which should keep them engaged for a little while.
Read this Related Article: 20 Unique Jobs for your Blue Heeler
5. Blue Heelers Need Attention
Most puppies express a desire to be close to their humans as much as possible. However, Blue Heelers take this desire to a whole new level.
They constantly want to be engaged in an interaction with their owners.
You may find that they follow you around the house as you go about your day, relax by your feet while you work, and whine to be let in the bed with you at night. No matter how much time you spend with them, they always want more.
This is due in part to the loyalty your dog has for you. They love and adore you, so it makes sense that they would want to be close to you as much as possible.
If you need a break from your Blue Heeler, be sure to actively engage their mind with something else like a puzzle toy. Otherwise, you might start to see some destructive behaviors surface.
6. Lack of Exercise Leads to Destruction
If you were hoping to get a dog who was lazy and preferred to spend their days lounging on the couch, then a Blue Heeler is not for you.
They need a lot of rigorous exercise to keep them tired. A Heeler who doesn’t get enough exercise is bound to be destructive. They will chew, nip, and whine until they get what they want.
Be sure to take them for long jogs, play an intense game of fetch, and allow them to activate those muscles. A tired dog is a happy dog!
7. Digging in the Water Dish
This is one quirk that drives Blue Heeler owners crazy! Puppies tend to dive right into their water dish and try to dig, sending water everywhere.
They may do the same thing in the bathtub during their monthly baths. Some people believe this behavior is linked to their dingo ancestors who used to dig to access water located beneath the ground.
To stop this behavior, redirect your dog until the digging behavior eventually stops.
8. Mouthy Behaviors
While it is common for many puppies to exhibit mouthing or nipping, Blue Heelers tend to take it to another level.
They are notorious for mouthing their humans hard and sometimes even breaking the skin in their excitement. This is often linked back to their herding instinct, but it can happen out of the blue as well.
The best thing to do is correct your Blue Heeler with force-free correction and positive reinforcement. Reward them for calm behavior with no nipping.
If you are playing a game and they nip at your hands or ankles, stop the game immediately and put them in a time-out. They will eventually learn that teeth on the skin always stops the fun.
9. Blue Heelers have a Desire to Chase
If someone rides past your yard on a bicycle or a golf cart, chances are that your Blue Heeler will take off running. Movement attracts this breed, and they have a strong instinct to chase after whatever is running in front of them.
This means that you need to keep a close eye on them in the yard.
It may be difficult to train your Blue Heeler to be off-leash in public settings that aren’t secured by a fence such as a dog park might be.
10. High Prey Drive
Because they were bred to herd, Blue Heelers do have a high prey drive. This means that other animals in the home may be chased and tormented by your new Heeler.
In particular, cats can pose a problem for this breed unless they are socialized with them at an early age. If you are just getting a Blue Heeler puppy, it is a good idea to expose them to lots of different things.
You will want your dog to be around other small animals and dogs so they learn not to chase or herd these animals later in life.
If your pup does have a hard time following its prey drive, reinforce basic obedience. Have them sit or lie down when you can tell they are tempted to chase something.
Commands like “watch me” or “focus” are also helpful in this situation.
Check out this article: Can A Blue Heeler Live in an Apartment?
Blue Heeler Habits
Blue Heelers have a number of habits that are highly ingrained in their personality. They are high-energy breeds that require a great deal of exercise.
If you don’t want to take your dog for long walks, engage them in a sport, or spend much time in the yard with them, then this breed is not likely to be for you.
A Blue Heeler that does not have enough exercise has a habit of becoming destructive.
These dogs also have a habit of being very protective and can make excellent guard dogs. Because they bond closely with their owners, it makes sense that they might be a bit stand-offish with others they are unfamiliar with.
Getting Your Blue Heeler to Behave
While these quirky behaviors are second nature to your Blue Heeler, many of them can be resolved through consistent training.
Work on basic obedience with your pup. Force-free training and positive reinforcement can teach your pup new behaviors to replace those that tend to be second nature to them.
Their loyal nature and high energy can make them clingy and get them into trouble. However, you can easily calm your dog down with the right training approach and some exercise!
Related Questions
How do Blue Heelers show affection?
Blue Heelers do not tend to show affection through cuddling or offering up kisses to their owners.
Instead, they quietly insist on being by your side as much as possible.
They may follow you around the house, curl up by your feet while you work, or whine to get your attention. They enjoy a good scratch behind the ears, but they are mostly happy just to be in your presence.
Are Blue Heelers independent?
Blue Heelers do tend to be very independent dogs, but they love the company of their owners.
They tend to bond closely with one person and prefer their company above all others.
However, they can also spend a great deal of time by themselves. Be careful not to leave them unattended for too long or you might find that they become destructive.