Austrailian cattle dogs AKA blue heelers

[Hugo Hartman <hartmanh@acronet.net>]

Many of us horse owners own these strangely desireable dogs who are so
faithful, loyal, stay with us type animals.

Does anyone know why they rub their ruff (neck hair) in coyote poop on the
trail? And in manure in the yard?  It is such a bad social habit.  Totally
disgusting when they come in the house. Otherwise, I adore him. He is five
years old and still does it.  

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Weeellll, be prepared for the long war.  We own a dog who is half blue
heeler, and he is constantly "perfuming" himself.  I think heelers are
closer to a wild dog, the way they behave is less "civilized" than most dogs.
Dogs as predator animals, roll in manure to cover their scent, and make
themselves less recognizable to prey animals. In heelers, this instinct (or
in-stink)is very strong.  Sorry, it is a part of the whole heeler package.
It helps to watch him in the yard, and you can instill some guilt by
catching him in the act.  It does no good at all to punish after the fact.
However, after years of working on this, he still loves a nice fresh pile.
He gets lots of baths, which he hates!  


Linda