Some Bad News

[CattleDogMom]

This should probably go in the dog house. I have been crying all day. I just don't know what I'm going to do.

I have been talking to the Vet, and my aunt who is a zoologist/vet, and the Blue Heeler Refuge. It looks as though Casey has to go there.

Blue Heelers are very smart. They are herders and need something to do at all times. If they don't have this...ie. cattle to herd on a huge ranch, then they become unhappy...which leads to destruction.

Casey has been tearing the house apart. He thrashed the kitchen and knocked over 3 glass jars all across the kitchen. He has also torn the yard apart. He has been terrorizing the kids latey, too. Not agressive, but just niping and not leaving them alone. He refuses to respond to any kind of obediance. He will sit and lay down, and pee outside....but anything beyond that is a no go.

According to everyone I've talked to, he's unhappy with the living space, and this is his way of telling us. I read it's normal for the breed. They need a ranch with jobs to do.

I am just torn to shreds over this. I love him so much. But I can't keep him here if he's going to be like this....and it's not healthy for him

I feel like a mother abandoning her child, but I can't keep him here if it's not the best possible envoirnment for him.

In sadness,
Crystal

[binka_nugget]

Oh I'm so sorry...it must be really hard on you. Don't feel guilty, you're only doing what's best for him. Your intentions are to ensure his happiness. But, have you tried everything? Maybe hobby herding will balance him out? Or maybe agility or flyball? Anyways, whatever you do, good luck.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Im so sorry.....do you know anyone that could give Casey a good home? . If you really dont think hes happy....the destructiveness could be because hes still a puppy. Why dont you wait awhile and see if that clears up?

[CattleDogMom]

I have found a Blue Heeler Refuge Farm. They take heelers so they can be with their kind, and worked, and placed with other ranchers.

The vet's I have talked to and the research I have done all points to him not being stimulated enough. I have to take him to the Bark Park every day for at least 2 hours before he will even begin to calm down. If I miss a day the house is a shambles.

[CathyBogart]

Oh NO, I am so sorry! It does sound as you say....He's not getting enough stimulation. I don't know your home situation so I don't know if this would be feasible, but...my friend breeds a high-drive herding dog and she keeps a hoarde of six under control by doing agility with them. I would hate to see you lose your beloved baby...

[CattleDogMom]

*sigh*

I am just so upset I don't know what to say.

[tikeyas_mom]

I am so sorry that you feel it nessisary to do this, but if it is best, then it is best. I have a friend who owns a heeler a bluish colored one but I think it is a mix with border collie, this dog doesnt act like a heeler at all or a border collie but looks just like them. I think that he just has the herding instinct, some pups dont and that makes them not working or show quality! I hope that he finds a good home.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Psst....TM, i like your "Adopt a husky, and make a husky smile" icon, its really cute!

[lovemyshiba]

Oh what terrible news!!!

My friend has an ACD, an he is tireless--he runs and runs and runs and runs--I'm sure just like your Casey!!

I know you have talked to the refuge farm and the vet, but maybe speak with a trainer. Has Casey had basic obedience?? Maybe he just needs a tune up on his manners, and you could look into doing agility or something with him??
Is there any way he could go to a farm every day or so to get his "work" done, and still come home with you??

This is heartbreaking news, I can only imagine how you feel. I do understand that you are trying to do what is best for him though, good luck.

[Airedalekisses]

You're not a bad mother-heaven forbid!! Casey is just a free spirit-he'll be happier-and I bet you can visit-before you know it he'll be smiling and romping having a fabulous time!
Good luck

[micki76]

Oh, I understand the pain of having to do what’s right. We recently rescued a Pit/Lab mix named Bruce from some people who were going to fight him. We tried to keep him but Millie was so terrified and stressed out that she chewed her hind end raw from mid back down. We finally got a call from the SPCA saying that they had room and were willing to take Bruce. It killed me to let him go there and await the potentially awful things that could be in his future, but I had to do it. I was in a fairly deep depression for some time and still am to an extent. I still have bad dreams about him.

Our neighbors had an unusual heeler in that Rambo was a lazy brat who never left the couch. He was let out of the front door one day by their young son and was hit by a car. They soon replaced him with another heeler, Brandy. She’s very destructive and disobedient. They can’t have her in the house due to destructiveness and she’s now in a smallish pen. I don’t think it’s fair to her and I’d much rather that they re home her to a more appropriate environment.

So try not to feel bad about your decision. We all have to do things that suck from time to time.

[anna_66]

How sad for you But I totally understand that you are doing what is best for Casey & for you and your family. It's just not easy though is it?
I'm here if you need to talk.
Anna

[cali]

have you tried dogsports??? casey is just bored thats all, give him a job and he will be happy, try flyball or agility with him, take him to playgrounds and get him to do different things on the play structures, all he needs is a job, they are the same as border collies that way, without a job they will make one themselves, casey is bored with no job, so destroying the house is what he has come up with on his own for a job.

[Karen]

This is not an easy decision, I know. A Cattle Dog is a breed, as you've mentioned, that needs to be busy. If, after serious reflection, you know you don't have the time and capability to harness his energy, the time to work with him every day, to reinforce socialization every day, and keep him busy and happy, the heeler ranch might be a better place for him to be.

Would you be allowed to visit him? How far from you is it? Maybe as someone mentioned, he could "work" there and come home, tired and happy, to be with you afterwards? Or, is there a good "doggie daycare" near you where he could spend time running and playing and getting worn out while you work each day?

[CattleDogMom]

Ok...

Here is am example of what he is doing. I woke up to a horrible sound last night. I saw him chewing on the walls! He was literally chewing on the door frame!

I take him to the dog park every day. We have to stay for at least a couple of hours. Then when a lot of dogs are there, none of the other dogs want to play with him because he get's dominate and tries to herd them.

I have tried obedience training...nothing. Eric has a freind who trains border collies for his sisters cattle ranch...even he says we have our hands full. But he's no help to me becuase he just sits and watches me struggle with Casey (and he's no friend of mine, but that's another story)

It's getting to where I have to put him out back if I even want a moment's peace just to drink my coffee.
He chews everything in site...shoes, clothes, toys, ect. He goes thorugh about 5 rawhyde and pig bones a week, and has already shredded a BLACK Kong!