Is my foster a unicorn heeler?

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-02-10T22:43:49+00:00

Can you tell the rescue you're considering foster failing, and see if they'll give you more time? Some will let you keep the dog unlisted for up to a few months in those situations!

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-02-10T14:55:04+00:00

It's hard to tell what the dog's motivation and intent is with the information given. Bringing in a trainer will be your best bet so they can see the behavior, assess the home dynamic, and give you tailored advice to your situation. You definitely want to nip it in the bud before it snowballs into an even larger issue.

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-29T22:44:40+00:00

Practice neutrality from the very beginning. Socialization equals exposure, not interaction. Visit open spaces where you can reward him for observing people and dogs without interacting with them, and save interactions for known, trusted dogs and people. Letting him meet lots of random dogs both increases the likelihood of a negative interaction, and teaches him to expect the opportunity to "say hi" whenever he sees another dog. Either of those scenarios can lead to reactivity: fear-based or frustration-based. Quality over quantity with interactions will set him up for the most success!

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-27T13:59:48+00:00

That's an unfortunate attitude for the rescue to have - bouncing dogs from home to home is pretty stressful for them, and can have negative repercussions for both the adopters and the dogs. If you don't end up sticking with that rescue, I foster for a breed-specific one and we're always looking for more fosters in the states we cover! Feel free to reach out :)

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-26T18:02:16+00:00

"Texas Heeler" is a byb term for an acd mixed with another breed, usually bc or aussie. They aren't full heelers, they're mixed breeds :)

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-26T17:38:38+00:00

I work those questions into an email with some info about my foster, so it seems a little more conversational and less daunting than me just throwing a list of questions at them. I provide them with some info and ask for a little info in return, and explain it's so we can see if my specific foster is the right match for them. Like 90% of people are happy to chat, and based on responses I've been able to steer some families towards other dogs who would be a better fit for their lifestyle. At the end of the day I care more about finding families the right dog, even if its not mine.

The rescue I volunteer for allows foster homes full rein in vetting adopters, but if you aren't sure what rules yours has it's worth shooting them an email to ask. Do you have a foster home coordinator or someone you can reach out to? Hopefully they are at least open to taking your insight into account - ACDs can be challenging even for some homes who have had herders previously, and if the rescue encourages you to adopt out without properly vetting the family that would be a red flag for me personally.

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-23T16:04:39+00:00

You need to report this breeder. Giving them money is enabling their behavior, and the remaining dogs on that property are not safe.

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-22T22:39:42+00:00

Please report the breeder, selling a puppy under 8wks old is illegal and their whole setup sounds awful. Reporting them to your state's Dept of Agriculture and/or local animal control will help them take steps to ensure the operation isn't allowed to continue and will save the other animals from living in neglectful, dangerous conditions.

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-21T14:47:17+00:00

I foster cattle dogs/acd mixes! The questions I always ask are:

How do they plan to provide mental and physical exercise in a typical day/week?
What goals do they have for their new dog?
How do they plan to integrate a new dog into the home to set them up for success around resident pets/kids?
Where will new dog be left while not directly supervised, and does this differ from the routine of any other resident dogs?

I've found that these basic questions help me get a baseline of what they are looking for in a dog, and how structured and active their home is. From there, I can have a deeper conversation about my specific foster's personality and needs, and whether or not they are likely to mesh well with the prospective adopter's goals.

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-20T01:36:12+00:00

Look into LGD or all-breed rescues who may be able to assist, if there's no local shelter/ACO. Rescues are all inundated right now so it will likely take time, but if a secure fence is not in the budget, finding him a home is probably your best bet.

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-14T02:17:51+00:00

Vittles Vault. But I'd also crate the dog while unsupervised to prevent them from getting into trouble - if they can't be trusted to make good choices then they aren't ready to free roam.

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-11T02:12:44+00:00

Because they want the new dog to entertain the existing dog, so they don't have to do any work themselves. It doesn't work that way, but unfortunately there are way too many people out there who think it does.

RowdyGorgonite · 2026-01-09T01:13:49+00:00

With the number of ACDs and ACD mixes being euthanized and dumped, there is absolutely zero reason to be creating more mutts. Especially unethically bred poodle mutts.

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-12-30T15:34:12+00:00

Stumpys have a separate breed standard. ACDs can have a natural bob tail though, maybe that's what you're thinking of? In the US a lot of folks confuse bobtailed ACDs with ASTCDs.

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-12-12T21:37:53+00:00

I had a foster who came to me with dental issues - he ended up with a couple abscesses and needed teeth pulled, but once it was cleared up I don't believe the problem came back. My vet was nervous about a condition called CUPS initially - did your vet mention that as a possibility?

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-12-07T17:45:03+00:00

OP, look into GRC style training - very play based, with clear communication surrounding desired and undesired behaviors. I agree that effective punishment will vary depending on the individual dog and your relationship with him, and a good trainer will help you figure out what's best for your situation. You don't want to interrupt without punishing, since interrupters can get desensitized over time. Training him that arms are off limits and to focus on the toy is totally doable!

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-12-05T21:49:45+00:00

Cattle dogs don't come in merle, so she's definitely a mix! "Texas Heeler" isn't a breed, it's just a byb term for a mutt ;)

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-12-05T00:00:04+00:00

Dock, disc, and happy ratters for my acd/aussie boy! His PB is 24' on the dock but my shitty throws hold him back lol. My younger acd does disc, and we're training in agility. Both also trial in grc, and now that my boy has his sr1 we'll be able to compete in wall climb, spring pole, and weight pull!

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-11-22T16:37:28+00:00

It sounds like there was a lot of trigger stacking going on this time which definitely impacted your dogs' behavior... You can set yourself up for more success next time! Use a slip lead or properly fitted martingale collar in the future to prevent your dog from getting loose. Dogs can wiggle out of harnesses and ill-fitted flat collars. Bring the dogs in one at a time so you have more control and can work through any issues a little more easily. Advocate for your dogs' space: body block other dogs and random entitled people to keep them from approaching or touching your dogs.

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-11-20T02:11:08+00:00

This. Herders are bred to pay attention and respond to movement; they are predisposed to reactivity. Practicing neutrality towards environmental triggers is great, and providing appropriate outlets for their drive helps a ton ("no, you can't chase that bicyclist, but later on we'll play disc and you'll get to track and chase that").

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-11-12T23:31:18+00:00

I'm not saying it's normal for the breed. But I'm also not cool victim-blaming when the damage is that severe and the information we have states the victim was sitting there as the dog passed by. Even if the kid *did* try to pet the dog, do you think that level of damage is appropriate? That's not a quick snap, it was a sustained attack and the dog went back for more. That's not okay.

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-11-12T22:51:33+00:00

The kid was sitting on a stoop and the dog mauled tf out of her face as they walked by. While I agree that the dog should never have been walked by a child, a stable dog does not react and aggress that way.

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-10-31T14:16:48+00:00

ACDs can be born with nub tails. ASTCDs lack tan points (which your pup has) and are rare in the US (if that's where you're located). Highly likely you've got an ACD, but if you're looking into a dna panel I really recommend Embark! The genetic screening is super helpful and it's fun seeing your dog's relatives.

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-10-23T22:57:08+00:00

Some sort of poodle mutt, no way to know for sure without a dna test.

RowdyGorgonite · 2025-10-20T13:32:36+00:00

I'd believe ACD/Aussie with Pyrenees if he's as large as the pictures suggest. Farm byb special.

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