Happy update about ACD mix puppy

[ams59]

photos and dna results

I made a couple of posts here a few weeks ago after I inadvertently adopted a 3 month old ACD mix puppy from a rescue. In the first post I was pretty much having a meltdown over whether or not this pup would be a good fit for me and if we should consider rehoming. I was so overwhelmed with puppy blues lol.

Now that it's been a month I'm happy to say he's already becoming a wonderful dog. He knows when to settle down, he knows how to keep himself entertained, is doing well with potty training + crate training, eats his meals from a puzzle feeder, walks pretty well on a leash, has been wonderful at the vet + having his nails trimmed, and he knows a bunch of basic commands already. My only real complaints are with demand barking and of course, the puppy velociraptor biting. I know adolescence is coming up in a few months, so I'm trying to prepare for that as well.

He is seriously so smart, but also a complete goofball dingus. We'll be starting puppy classes next week and once his final round of vaccines is complete I'm planning to go on weekly hikes with him (in addition to daily walking, training, and play). I was so worried about having a herding breed in the city, but I see tons of other people with happy and healthy working/herding breeds at our local park and I'm learning that it is manageable under the right circumstances and care. It definitely helps that we have an adult dog for him to play with. One day within his lifetime we'd like to purchase a house with a yard but I think we'll be just fine until then.

As for the mystery that is his breed mix, the results are in. He's approximately 1/3 cattle dog, 1/3 pit bull/amstaff, and 1/3 Heinz 57 including treeing walker coonhound and more! His estimated adult weight according to genetics seems inline with what vets have told me, anywhere from 25 to 40 lbs.

 

[stefana]

@ams59 Good on you for working through things with him, and learning what he needs. Puppy mania is a thing for sure, and can be hard to deal with. I’d recommend looking into teaching bite inhibition. We did this with our little guy, and it really worked wonders. Heelers are mouthy, and finding a way to mitigate that made life a lot easier. You’ve got your hands full, but with the right work put in, you’ve also got the best doggy buddy anyone could ask for. Also extra great that you have another older dog in the house.

 

[jane081624]

@ams59 These dogs can be crazy challenging, but so worth it in the end. It sounds like you are beginning to see that. It also sounds like you are doing all the right things with and for him; he's a very lucky dog to have you.

 

[imagebeastmarkbeast]

@ams59 I’m part way through a dog training and behaviour course. The most helpful thing I’ve learnt is that a lot of the annoying things ACDs do like mouthing and herding is just really really normal. Imagine it like this - we’ve taken these working dogs to a busy & loud city environment where there’s so many more noises, people and dogs to react to. They’re a highly reactive breed anyway as they’re meant to be on alert listening for cues from the farmer all day.
This completely changed my outlook on my ACD’s training and we cut her a lot of slack now.

Don’t wait too long to socialise too - apart from Parvo - most of the diseases they’re vaccinating against aren’t as harmful as an unsocialised dog. Get your puppy meeting healthy vaccinated dogs in a safe way as soon as you can.

 

[ams59]

@imagebeastmarkbeast Thank you! I keep hearing the explanation that "puppies are essentially from a different planet and have no idea what we want them to do" and at first that totally overwhelmed me, but now I'm starting to get it. I feel like I understand how his little brain works a bit better than before.

I am honestly pretty excited to start puppy classes on Monday. They have socialization based classes as well as obedience so I'll be dabbling in both. We've taken him out and about in a dog-carrier sling where his head pokes out just so he can get used to the sights, sounds, and people. I also got the okay from my vet to take him on short walks since I live in a low parvo-area. We avoid grass and places that are heavily trafficked by other dogs (like the park), but he's fine to go around the block. He's honestly doing very well so far, but we'll continue to work on this. Proper socialization is very important to me because my older dog missed out on the critical puppy socialization period and was extremely fearful when we adopted her. She's come a long way but still has anxiety.

 

[patric]

@ams59 Lifetime herding dog guy here and happy partner to an ACD. We are ranchers so we live a different lifestyle than you. First off cudos for puppy class. I would encourage you to go beyond puppy class as well. These guys are pretty wired through 2 years old. There are a ton of things you can do with your dog class wise that will make it an awesome life partner. Agility, obedience, herding, nose work. They love it all. Remember, these guys need a job and if you don't provide one for them they will choose one and you might not like it. Oye the stories ! Good luck with your new pup.

 

[ams59]

@patric Thank you so much! I was just saying we might need to sign him up for beginner agility courses after he jumped over his crate twice this morning and cleared it, haha! I will definitely keep all of this in mind and I do hope to continue classes and try out a few options as far as farm camp/agility etc.

I have heard that they need a job and I'm curious if something like agility in addition to daily exercise/training would be sufficient? Or should I be looking into something he can do as "work" around the house?