My first question is - is your boy neutered? If not, this should be done ASAP. Also, if you are able, an obedience class would give you the skills to establish yourself as pack leader. It would also be a good opportunity for socialization.

An ACD dog would actually not be a good gun dog at all. It has herding instincts, as outlined in the breed specs, and I can say from personal experiance that ACD's will kill the bird and eat it before you even had a chance to save it. Try looking at the retriever and hunting breeds. Some hae been bred for duck and/or quail hunting and to retrieve your catch.

My ACD will grab the leash as soon as we get out the door and will start pulling. I tell him "NO" and pull him back inside and have him sit. I do this every time he grabs the leash until he stops. Then he gets a 'good boy' and a treat. Once he gets the idea you can do away with the treats. My ACD is getting better and does not do it all the time. Ocassionally he forgets and I have to 'remind' him of the correct behavior.

i have 2 cowdogs. tell him to try playing in the yard to tire him out before the walk, with the leash on just dangling on the ground. then when the dog is at its panting point try walking. mine just thought the leash is was a toy. as for the barking and growling, they can be visciously vocal, but in reality they might as well be purring.

I took my dog to a dog training class. He's a typical cattle dog although a mix. Try squirting him with a water bottle. The dog trainer tried this with my dog because he is quite aggressive with other dogs and it works extremely well. When we are out on walks I take the water bottle with me and when we pass other dogs and he starts to get aggressive I just squirt him once or twice and he won't even look at the other dogs after that.

Marge, have you tried walking the dog without a leash or just not holding onto the leash? Heelers are very active, super intelegent and learn things very quickly (good or bad). If he has had a bad experience or has been allowed to learn bad behvior you may need to change the way you start your walks. When you begin the walk, and the dog jumps, give a firm tug on the leash, say "no" and ask him to sit( in a heel position)next to you. Wait 20-30 seconds, take up the slack in the leash, ask him to come, and start walking. If he jumps, give a firm tug, say "no" and ask him to sit. Repeat these steps until the dog will walk 5 or 6 steps without jumping. Then ask the dog to sit and praise him. Gradually extend the length of walking without jumping, then praise. I would bet you'll see alot of progress in a very short time your first time out. Remember a little bit of praise goes a long way and shock collars are never, ever needed. keep it positive!! Good Luck!

i have a training collar i use on all three of my dogs that has two settings. one is a noise control and the other is shock. only time i have ever had to use the shock setting was on my cattle dog because he tried to go after a neighbor child. the shock dropped him in his tracks, but for the leash problem i think a dog whistle, at a smallercost,might do the trick. each time he rears up and tries to take control of the leash, blow the whistle, if he takes a few steps without acting up put him in a sit and praise him alot

my dog, blue wants to be the leader. he herds anything and everything. could be that this dog wants to be in charge (males are more prone to this) when i walk mine i have to also walk my other dog and let blue hold that leash. when the other dog tries to get away, blue just holds on tighter (jaws of steel)

some times u got to put on a shock collar when u go for walks and when he gets mad and jumps on u shock him and if he keeps doin it put it 1 level higher and shock him it works like almost all the timep.s try it

you also try walking the dog in a harness or a muzzle lead as i have more response with these then what i do with a collar and the dog likes it better this way rather than me pulling it by the neck which is not nice

I have owned 5 cattle dogs over the years - I currently have 3 - and sometimes they can be quirky. Your brother's dog may have been dragged roughly or fallen from the back of a truck and had the leash hold him. They are very smart dogs with long memories. He may have tried this without success, but, if not, I suggest that he start with a short leash or light rope and tie it on the dog's collar and let him wear it around the house or yard for a few days. When the dog comes over to be petted, always do so, holding the leash or rope gently and give him a treat - little treats work as well as big treats (like rice krispies, one or two at a time). Gradually, increase the length of rope so you can walk holding it and do so in the house, just briefly, say from couch to chair, then a treat and lead him a brief distance to get his supper if you start having success with this until he can wear his leash in the house for long periods of time and it can be picked up and you can lead him short distances without him reacting. If he backslides, shorten the distances again. Remember to praise him and pet him, don't drag or scold. When he gets the hang of this indoors - which should really only take a few days, start the outside walks slowly and keep the treats in your pocket. Good luck with him. They are awesome dogs. Cindy