Violet is a young Cattle Dog so she's going to need to be with an active family with older children so she doesn't get bored and get into any trouble. She came to us from one of our wonderful trainers who had an accident and needed our help finding a home for Violet.  She is spayed, up to date on shots, heartworm negative and ready to be part of a new family.

 

Foster Update 02/08/10:  Things are going great here with Violet!  She is such a puppy at heart -- lots and lots of energy.  And she's soooo smart.  She responds immediately to you when you correct her behavior (we don't allow jumping up on furniture, on guests, etc. and she sits on our back porch when we eat, just to keep her out of trouble).  She's my little shadow right now -- can't go anywhere without her right behind me.

 

Foster Update 02/10/10:  Violet is calming down as she gets used to being here.  She's sleeping more, sitting nicely next to me while I work, and learning to respond correctly to my prompts (sit, lay down, come, get the ball, etc.).   She's really a smart one.  She's great at night.  She goes into our bedroom and sleeps on a blanket we have put on the floor for her in front of the bed.  She stays there all night and gets up with us in the morning.  She is still working on not jumping up on us when we come home.  She does NOT like to go into her cage, but we make her go in when we leave the house.  We've put some toys in there for her to play with, so hopefully that makes her happier when we are gone.  We only leave her for an hour or two at this point.  I know its stressful for her to go there so we're taking that one slowly. She's chewing things, but we're keeping as much as we can AWAY from her and taking her for a walk when she gets really rambunctious.  She chewed the plastic off my son's glasses (ear piece) after she pulled them off his dresser -- and she loves tissues, toilet paper, etc.  Classic puppy behavior.  I worry more that she'll pick up something outside when we're walking to chomp on that could hurt her, but I guess that is true for all puppies.  We just have to watch her carefully and keep her away from dangerous situations.  And we clearly discourage her from putting paws up on counters, getting on the furniture, etc.  It will just take her some time to get used to the new rules, hopefully!  She's beginning to relax a little more, but I expect that will take more time.  She's very hungry, so we're feeding her Blue Sweet Potato and Fish twice a day, about 4 cups total.  That is helping her feel a little less frantic, I think.  She's really underweight.  She's fun to play with in the backyard -- she's very good at fetch with the tennis ball and comes back when you call her.  She's great on the leash too.  We got her a special harness leash so that she's more comfortable.  She has adjusted well with our family routine.  She's also doing well with our dog, Zeppo (who is 13).  She tries to play with him in the backyard, is submissive to him, and has gotten him to be a little more outgoing and active.  She has also even taught him how to dig holes in the ground (not good -- but that's ok -- we're correcting her and she listens well).  I think she's has great adoption potential for a family that wants a young dog who is already house trained.  We need to work with her more on the crate, because it causes her great distress to be put there -- understandably -- we'll take that one slowly.  She needs more time with us to get herself ready for a new family, but I'm really confident she'll get there.

 

Foster Update 03/11/10:  Violet is doing great.  She's settling down and learning more everyday.  I think she is the kind of pup that just gets bored easily so whoever adopts her will need to be ready to keep her busy.  I taught her how to lay down and roll over in one session -- I wonder if she could even be a service dog some day?  Honestly, she is a smart one and is so tuned in to the people around her.  She got out of her cage one evening last week when we were away (we accidentally didn't latch the bottom latch on the cage) and did some damage - She's probably just the kind of dog you need to cage every time you leave the house until she grows out of it.

 

Foster update 3/17/10:

She enjoyed her camping expedition this weekend.  We probably walked her 10 miles on Saturday -- she completely zonked Saturday night.  She loved it and she was really a good girl the whole time.  We were with friends who had two kids and two dogs.  Everyone got along very, very well.

Here are the things I would say to anyone who wanted to know more:

1)  She's completely housebroken and crate-trained
2)  Keep her in the crate whenever you go away because she does have separation anxiety
3)  Still a puppy, so she needs supervision and continued training on manners
4)  Very smart and trains easily, especially if food is involved; we've trained her to sit before we pet her and to sit before we put her food down.  She is consistent in this.
5)  Very good with other dogs and older children, but she is pretty big, so could inadvertently scratch or knock over a small child because she's also very exuberant when she sees you after you've been away
6)  She still jumps on you when you come in from the outside, and will need continued training on this
7)  Sleeps all night long without interruption; loves a soft blanket on the floor or dog bed to sleep in; we let her sleep on a large ottoman we have in the living room -- not allowed on any other furniture
8)  Loves to run -- she's a very fast runner -- and will come when called because she loves to be with her people
9)  She would love to go to a dog park -- perfect opportunity for her to interact with other dogs and to run, run, run
10) She still is in a chewing phase, so loves nylabones and ropes.  She will pick up shoes and socks from the floor, but only to get your attention.
11)  She walks well on a leash, but it still learning to heel, so will need continued training on this.  I'm using a choker-chain to walk her in order to be more comfortable.  She is still pretty energetic -- she very well could run the whole time she's outside -- she could be one of those dogs that you leash and rollerblade or ride bike with because of her energy level.

 

 

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com the Australian Cattle Dog was developed by pioneer settlers in the 19th century to herd cattle on large ranches. Dogs the settlers brought with them from Europe, called Smithfield and the Old Smooth Collie (not the smooth collie known today),  were not able to handle the long distances and inhospitable climate of the new continent. So ranchers began experimenting with new crosses. The Australian Cattle Dog primarily derived from a mix of smooth, blue speckled Collie imports from Scotland and wild Australian Dingoes. Australian Kelpie, Dalmatian, and Bull Terrier were also added. The result was an excellent herding dog, with few equals, who worked the stock quietly yet forcefully, willing and able to drive cattle across vast distances under harsh, hot dusty conditions. With superior stamina, it was well suited to Queensland. Both its guarding and herding instincts are very strong and may extend to people and other animals. Robert Kaleski drew up a standard for the breed in 1893, which was finally approved in Australia in 1903. The Australian Cattle Dog was fully recognized by the AKC in 1980. The Australian Cattle Dog has also been known as the Australian Heeler, Hall's Heeler, Queensland Heeler or Blue Heeler. "Heeler" refers to its herding skill of snapping and biting cattle's heels. Its talents are retrieving, herding, guarding, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.

A working, herding breed, the Australian Cattle Dog is not suited to life alone in the backyard. One of the most intelligent breeds, it can become easily bored, leading to serious behavior problems. These dogs need to be part of the action! They are loyal, protective and alert. An excellent guard dog. Brave and trustworthy. Very good in the obedience ring and in herding and agility. Can be obedience trained to a very high level. Firm training from the start and a lot of daily leadership, along with daily mental and physical exercisewill produce a fine and happy pet. It is absolutely loyal and obedient to its master, but it is something of a one-person dog. They are sometimes suspicious of people and dogs they don't know. It can be very dog aggressive, for its dominance level is high. Best with children in the family it has known since puppyhood. Some tend to nip at people's heels in an attempt to herd them. If you are buying a pet, avoid strictly working lines, as these dogs may be too active and intense for home life.