(Part 2) Top products from r/AustralianCattleDog

I agree on balls and frisbees. I'm a huge fan of the brand ChuckIt. Especially the balls like these. They seem to hold up very well. They have a lot of give like a tennis ball which my dog loves. But they're pretty much solid rubber so they're not going to crack and break like tennis balls. But still have a lot of bounce and are relatively soft. I like the same brand for frisbees too. They're soft (but still have actual structure to them so they fly) so I don't have to worry about wear and tear on my dog's teeth. And they float so they're good for the beach/lake/river/pool. The frisbees aren't as tough as the balls and a determined dog can wreck one pretty quickly. Like within a few hours. But they hold up very well to normal frisbee use. And you're better off getting them online than at Petsmart. They're usually around $18 there and under $10 online.

Jolly Balls are fun too. The ones with the handles seem to lose the handle pretty quick. And the ones with the rope will have the rope pulled out. But the ones with the rope don't have a gaping hole in one side once the rope comes out and the ball itself doesn't fall apart unless a dog is actively trying to wreck it. I have one that I bought 6 months ago that's still in good shape.

I can totally understand not wanting to leave her in her crate for so many total hours each day. First I would recommend having lots and lots of toys on hand. The idea is to try to keep her engaged as much as possible while she's out there. Dogs can get tired of toys so I suggest investing in some new ones if you can and rotate them every few days. Have lots of chew toys on hand including hooves, horns (mine loves water buffalo horns especially) and antlers. The Busy Buddy Tug-a-jug can be a great toy once they get the hang of it. People who keep dogs in their apartment will actually give them all of their chow in these (start with small sized kibble first - any ACD mix will be smart enough to figure it out quickly) and they work to get it out during the course of the day. This will tire them out not only physically but mentally as well, which is hugely important, especially for ACD's. Along these lines, find new ways to engage her when you are home. Walks and exercise are essential but maybe start some training on new tricks (just 5-8 minutes at a time). ACD's need a job to do and helping to fulfill that in various ways can help to ease anxiety during others times of the day. It will be a process and it may not come without some trouble but it should eventually get better. I hope some of this is useful.

Positive reinforcement training sessions which emphasise fun, play and success. Start with ‘Building Block behaviours’ Your dog will think he is training you! https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/wiki/

Teach your dog to play tug by the rules and use it as a reward for recall (‘come’). http://www.reddit.com/r/dogtraining/wiki/rulesoftug

Look into taking up a dog sport. Even young pups can start play based learning for sports such as Nosework, agility,obedience etc. https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com

Depending on age, go on hikes, to beaches or drives in the car to explore new places together

If you have a puppy, look into puppy schools which focus on opportunities for you to watch your dog interact with other pups and for you to get some training on reading dog body language.

Be kind and patient with your dog and use positive training to teach good manners and reinforce the behaviours you will want in your dog.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/wiki/calm
Your dog will love you for it.

ETA- if you have a puppy, this is a great book. https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Puppy-Days-Start-Right/dp/0964151871

ACDs can be a bit suspicious of other people and dogs which results in difficult behaviour. Make sure you socialise your pup carefully.

I had a clicker for a little while, but then I lost it and never replaced it. She picks up on things so quickly, it doesn't seem to matter how I reward her.

I mostly use these small treats as rewards, you can find them EVERYWHERE. They are a great size, large bag, and high reward value.

http://smile.amazon.com/Cardinal-Laboratories-Botanics-Training-Rewards/dp/B000OUOYH6/ref=pd_bia_nav_i_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0ZT128HDE4RZWZ3YRFNX

I found this book really helpful.

And the ACDRA has some good breed specific information.

Good luck! ACD puppies are intense but super receptive to training. It will be a fun for you and your dog :)

It's not for chewing or inside play, but you could look into getting a Jolly Ball (6" or above). Dakota LOVES his, he herds it around the back yard like a madman.

I have a variety of treat balls that keep my heeler busy and last quite a while. This Starmark ball is one of his favorites. It provides a challenge if you find some chewy treats (anything not hard and crumbly, like dog jerky) to stuff in there.

Bullymake box is a subscription box made for power chewers, there's some good durable stuff in there. Or you can buy their toys individually here.

Feste's the same way with his toys. He had the gopher version of the piggy, and poor Malvolio died within a week :(

There are a couple toys that we've had for a long time, though.

1.) Kong makes a few good toys for "extreme chewers." They're usually black and smell like rubber, but they've held up. We have a ball and a treat dispensing Kong like this.

2.) Rope toys don't last, but one Invincible Chain from JW has lasted us several months (I even wrote a review on it).

Oh, and here's Feste (when he was a puppy) with Malvolio

Be careful with muzzles. They can be very constricting and harmful to the dog.

Patricia McConnell's books are really pretty great (short, to the point, reward-based). Here's one that may be what you're looking for.

Tuffy makes some good stuff. We have a number of them. I just picked up the large sheep, it's almost as big as she is. Great for tug. She will chew the ears off. But in 14 months she's only got through 1. There's bones, bully sticks, balls etc to distract her also.

These are the favorites:

http://www.tuffietoys.com/
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Twist-Treat-Small/dp/B0002I0RLW
https://www.amazon.com/Omega-Paw-Tricky-Treat-Large/dp/B0002DK26M

sorry for the late response, sounds like you've got a good grasp on indie's diet. Here's what we supplement our boys' diet with, plus pumpkin 2x a day, in case you wanted to check it out:

http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Glucosamine-formerly-Liquid-Health/dp/B000VKA93C/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1464040965&sr=8-3&keywords=k9+liquid+vegetarian+glucosamine

http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-All-Natural-Supplement-Pump-Bottle-Dispenser/dp/B0002ABR6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464041095&sr=8-1&keywords=grizzly+salmon+oil

If this is actual anxiety, it isn't just about the right toys and exercise (those things help, however) it's about desensitization. I highly recommend this book.

get some kongs from amazon, and rope toys they freaking love them this is what i have bought for mine, he is currently 5 and so months and finishing the teething cycle, sorry for the links in mexican amazon but we are from mexico :P
https://www.amazon.com.mx/gp/product/B004VBC0SY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com.mx/gp/product/B00KNWVPFO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My oldest hates the Furminator/ShedEnder but tolerates a Shedding Blade

It works extremely well on his coarser coat but doesnt seem to do much on our softer pup

This is the newer version. We have an older model my friend gave me im not sure if this one vibrates but mine gives a loud warning tone. The tone does the trick.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001ZWZ8O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_DPC4sYT1oHfvm

I can get my (big) fingers in the holes to grip and tug, so yes? I have a separate "treatball" though, the Extreme is his tug-o-war ball that takes the worst abuse and keep on going.

Ours was nuts on the leash. She pulled, went nuts if she saw anyone and was so unfocused it was awful. We needed her to learn and learn fast so she wouldn’t be a terror for her doggy sitters. We were advised to get a no lead leash. We got her this one and holy shit it has changed her.
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Harness-Large-BLACK-SILVER/dp/B0009ZBKG4/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?keywords=no+pull+dog+harness&qid=1564444080&s=gateway&sprefix=no+pull&sr=8-11


I am not kidding, she doesn’t pull (because if she does the harness and leash turn and correct her) so she’s able to focus and listen. No more fits. Total Heeler game changer. Delightful, too smart stubborn puppy butts 😂