Taylor and his bother Zip were captured by animal control after someone called and said she was being attacked by two wild coyotes. The animal control pulled up and found two very scared heeler puppies huddled against the fence. They didn't snap, growl or even move when approched. These two are far from wild coyotes and are looking for a caring loving home that will be patient with them while they find the confidence to be wonderful companion animals!

Foster Update:  TAYLOR enjoys playing with other dogs and running in the yard.  He has not learned to trust people yet but likes to be in the house.  He pokes his head in the door several times and looks around when the dogs are inside with us or sometimes watches the door from behind the pool screen.  He enters the house on his own through our bedroom patio door and usually hangs out in there or in the bathroom to nap in the afternoon and to sleep at night.  He likes the bed I made for him behind a chair in the corner and laying on the bathroom rug. We leave the doors open as much as possible so he can come and go as he wants.  He leaves the room when we enter but usually goes to another part of the house.  He has chose to sleep in the room with us the last two nights and the only accident he had was the first night when the door was shut so he couldn't go out.   We put a harness on him twice and are trying to teach him to walk with us but he stands his ground and doesn't want to budge.  We're approaching this slowly since he's so new to us but I think when we're able to walk him in the neighborhood, he will really enjoy it and it will help him trust us.  He is too nervous around us at this time to play but we are rolling balls towards him and tossing him toys inside and throwing balls and a Frisbee outside. 

Foster Update:  Taylor enjoys playing with other dogs and chasing toys in the yard.  He enjoys taking toys from the toy box, tossing them around and carrying them outside.  He is timid with people but quickly learned to trust me since I feed him.  He takes a treat gently from my hand.  He is treat-motivated but is not food aggressive.  He loves his bed and is completely housetrained and learned to use the dog door.  Taylor walks well on a leash with our dogs and loves going to dog parks. He stays close to me as we go through the park.  He sits calmly while we’re getting the dogs ready to go for a walk.  I believe he will make a wonderful companion for someone who will be patient as he learns to trust them and adjust to his new home.  He would probably do best with another playful dog in the home since he trusts dogs more than people for now.

Foster Update:  Taylor is more comfortable playing at the park and being near people there.  He is very energetic and loves playing with other dogs.  He walks well on a leash and patiently waits to have his leash hooked.  He catches treats and takes treats gently while waiting his turn with the other dogs.  He enjoys having his chest rubbed and being petted.  He is fairly comfortable with people he sees routinely and is very comfortable with me - rolls over and lets me rub his belly.  I think he will adjust well to a home where people are patient as he learns to trust them.  He is food motivated and likes to sleep inside near us.  He loves running and playing in the yard with my dogs and chasing balls or toys, and will do best in a home with another active dog.  He is being fostered with Andy and they play very well together.

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 speckledCollie 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 exercise will 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. Teach your Australian Cattle Dog that you are alpha and you will not tolerate him fighting with other dogs. 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. Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train. Puppies are born white (inherited from the early Dalmatian crosses), but the adult color can be seen in the paw pads. Problems can and WILL arise with meek owners, and or owners who do not provide the proper amount and type of exercise. This breed does best with a job to do. If you do not have time to extensively work with and exercise your dog, or do not fully understand canine instincts and their need to have leadership, this is not the breed for you.