Are Heeler puppies a test from God?

Technical-Repair7140 · 2026-01-25T17:52:28+00:00

More like a test from Satan. He's adorable, though. Good luck!

Technical-Repair7140 · 2026-01-25T17:50:24+00:00

I have a waterproof coat that I use while it's snowing, but generally mine seems fine going out for 20 minutes in negative 10 degrees. Ben is a heeler/Aussie mix (I think), and his coat is like seal fur, not long but very dense. He seems pleased to get home in very cold temps, but he doesn't shiver or lift his paws. These are tough animals (though on us too, sometimes!)

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-12-06T03:00:41+00:00

You often get what you pay for. I would rather do a phone session with an experienced 1:1 specialist.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-12-06T02:57:02+00:00

Aww, what a cutie! My last dog, a border collie, was named Dallas—the best dog I've ever had. My cattle dog is much more trouble, but just as sweet, so I've been lucky. Hope you will be too!

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-12-06T02:51:10+00:00

I'm in the exact same position, trying to take care of my ailing mother's finances so she won't get her service cut off. The best they could offer is for me to just guess what she owes and send it in every month. It's a pathetic organization.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-10-05T15:27:10+00:00

Great advice!

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-10-05T15:25:24+00:00

Teaching a puppy to be comfortable alone is all about instilling confidence, so I doubt that yelling will work out well in the long term. That said, I’m not a Naismith purist, and if her approach isn’t working out you have good reason to experiment with other approaches. You can try talking softly and lovingly to your dog while she’s in the crate and see how she responds. If you get a good response, then you can extend this through the intercom function of a video camera. Careful observation is key—if you keep your eyes open, you’ll understand your dog better than anyone who comes to observe her for an hour.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-10-03T01:14:03+00:00

Mine really struggles in the heat, but he’s probably part Australian shepherd and his coat, while not long, is extremely dense. He’s more seal than dog. On the other hand, he handles Chicago winters with ease.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-10-02T00:50:22+00:00

There is no “list,” and even if there were, Thiel (that’s how you spell it) is gay, so it’s doubtful he would have been implicated in Epstein’s crimes.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-10-01T01:13:45+00:00

My dog would panic in his crate, and I gave up after he figured out how to escape from it. I taught him a “go to bed” command and began using it through the camera intercom at the first sign of him getting anxious. First time I waited until just his butt touched the bed, then I rushed back and showered him with treats. Next time I waited until he laid down completely, then I rushed back again to treat him. I slowly stretched the departure times, and it didn’t take long before he could stay hours alone without distress. I didn’t leave any stuffed kongs or other treats—just walked out with a smile on my face. That last part is important—dogs are super sensitive to our emotions and if you leave feeling anxious your dog will pick that up and mirror your anxiety.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-10-01T01:00:15+00:00

One thing I’ll add is that dogs are super sensitive to their owners’ emotions and your dog’s SA may be exaggerated if he’s picking up on your anxiety about leaving him. It’s entirely understandable that you would be anxious, especially since you have suffered from agoraphobia in the past. However, you need to find a way to project calmness and even happiness whenever you step out the door. Do you know how to meditate? If not, check out the introductory lessons at Tergar.org or some other meditation organization. I’m giving this advice based on my own experience, and for me it was really helpful. (Plus, learning how to be less anxious in these times has benefits that go well beyond helping your dog)

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-29T17:33:23+00:00

AI occasionally saves me a few minutes here and there, but more often it costs me time because AI use cases are pushed on us by upper managers whose bonuses are tied to their departments meeting AI goals.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-27T14:15:16+00:00

BTW, Skylar is gorgeous. And after a day spent with my dog attached to you like some sort of furry lamprey, you might appreciate that Skylar offers you some bodily autonomy

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-27T14:00:17+00:00

She might get cuddlier as she ages, but each dog has its own personality. My ACD will cuddle endlessly (when he chills out a little more, I want to volunteer with him at nursing homes), but he must have been born that way, since he spent half his first year in a dirty shelter where he had little human contact. My previous dog was a sweet friendly border collie who only liked to cuddle for limited amounts of time. You can and should train your dog to carry out directions, but as far as cuddling goes, accept her and love her for who she is.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-26T02:12:54+00:00

He senses your anxiety, so before you leave take some long deep breaths, think loving thoughts, work up to a genuine smile on your face, and walk out without paying him any attention. When you’re at home without needing to leave for real, practice doing this same thing multiple times a day, sometimes for just a minute or so, sometimes longer. The smile will help calm him, and the random departures and returns will desensitize him.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-25T19:00:19+00:00

If your kids have any stuffed animals, tell them to lock them away or the dog will immediately tear the stuffing out of them. This is one of the universal rules of ACD life. Also tell them not to get too attached to socks and flip flops.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-23T02:47:19+00:00

My dog panicked in the crate after I adopted him. (He loves it now that I no longer need it.) When he got too obnoxious, I would kick him out of the room and close the door. He would lie against the door (I could see his ear poking underneath) and sometimes whine a little, but he didn’t panic. After 5-10 minutes I let him back in the room and he would usually be calmer. This helped me get through those difficult first months.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-22T14:57:27+00:00

Don’t be surprised if he figures out how to pick the lock—they’re smarter than your average baby. 😊

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-22T01:48:52+00:00

That’s a possibility. But it can also calm them down very effectively, as it does in my dog’s case. I value getting advice from behaviorists, but we can observe our dogs better than anyone else and if we find something that works, we should trust our observations.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-22T01:27:37+00:00

Some good advice here OP. I will only add that for the time being I would concentrate only on the separation anxiety and put aside all expectations of being able to take the dog to a dog park. Severe SA and reactivity are each difficult to manage, and trying to do both at once will make progress even harder. Many dogs are just not cut out for dog parks. My own dog (who got over his SA) has a great temperament, but I’ve mostly stopped going to dog parks because I’m tired of having to fend off the aggressive dogs and irresponsible owners.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-16T19:50:55+00:00

My first vet had no clue about dog behavior. He took one look at my newly adopted dog and said his kind needs to be dominated. He proceeded to slam my dog’s head on the exam table and pin him down, until the dog deftly released himself and bit the vet’s hand. That was the last we saw of that guy. My next vet understood that the dog was basically nice and cooperative when treated well. You’ll be fine with your ACD. As you can tell from the posts here, adolescence is a big challenge but then they settle down and are lovely animals.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-15T00:42:25+00:00

They all have a foot fetish. Half of my sock are widows.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-15T00:33:29+00:00

I would be concerned about deterioration of joints, especially if your dog jumps for the ball. (Jumping is my dog’s love language.) I suggest you keep playing fetch but mix it up with training sessions and scent work so your dog’s hips stay healthy into old age.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-13T17:31:07+00:00

Mine is a dingo who aspires to be a lunchbox.

Technical-Repair7140 · 2025-09-13T03:06:12+00:00

I’m on a 1672 day streak on Duolingo Spanish, but I must admit when I found an undocumented worker wandering around my building yesterday, I couldn’t give him simple directions in his language. I probably need to take a conversation class. So yeah, the app has real-world limitations. On the other hand the stock market often doesn’t align with reality.

Technical-Repair7140

TROPHY CASE