About Wendy Grudin Expertise I will answer any general or specific questions regarding Australian Cattle Dogs(conformation, behavior, showing in either obedience or conformation). I cannot give any comments or recommendations re:AKC judges,as that would be considered a conflict of interest.
Experience I have owned, bred and shown ACDs for the past 13 years, and I am a licensed conformation judge (AKC) for the breed. I have owned and operated an all breed training center for the past 22 years.
Publications Dog World magazine(cover article on the Australian Cattle Dog, March, 1995)
Question I recently adopted a 3 year old Australian cattle dog. Along with the dog came many strange habits. The car ride home he growled at passing semi trucks and then attempted to attack any overpasses that we drove under. I have tried everything that I can think of to stop this behavior but nothing seems to work. It makes our rides dangerous and trips very difficult.
Also, he doesn't seem to understand the concept of multiple stories in a home, and chases and barks at footsteps above him.
I was hoping you might have some insight into either of these problems.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
Answer Hi Jeremiah,When evaluating canine behavior it is important to establish what type of work the breed was developed to do. In the reference to Cattle Dogs, they were developed to drive cattle across the barren plains of Australia...a hard task indeed! Your dog has some exaggerated behaviors tracing back to the origins of his breed. He needs a job to do.....and structured obedience training. He desperately wants to herd something.But herding alone will not help...he needs direction and dominance from you too.Try to get involved with an activity fun for both of you...maybe Rally...or herding...let this dog do what he was bred to do(in some shape or form) and don't forget about the obedience...as it is half the solution.Hope this helps!
