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So you want to teach a really good recall to start. Look here for some basics on teaching recall. You want to find whatever motivates your dog best. High value treats, favorite toy, play. I'm going to copy/paste a previous response I did as to how I taught my chaser recall:

> With Syd, the best initial technique was the turn-and-run. I would call Syd to come and turn around and run in the opposite direction so that she ran after and chased me, then I rewarded further either with play or treats. Syd loves chasing! I then varied the rewards, switching between chase, play, and treats. I usually use treats now with only an occasional turn-and-run, and higher value treats for bigger distractions (dogs, squirrels, etc.). Recalling with distractions is still a work in progress. Here is video of her rocket recall just 'cause I like to show it off.

Generally, you want to start easy, reward really well, and gradually build up distractions.

A good leave it and heel would probably be good too, so that you can call the dog off chasing things and have him heel by your side. A flirt pole can also be a useful tool in teaching your dog a good leave it. My dog loves to chase the flirt pole, but I taught her to only chase when I release her and to leave it when I say.

More resources to look at:

Do you want your dog to stay with you off leash?

How to teach ANY dog to Come when called!

Train your Dog to be OFF LEASH: The First Steps

How To Train A Dog To Sit W/ Distance

Safe Off Leash?

Off-leash training is a long process, though it varies by dog. Very generally speaking ACDs do well with off-leash training as they often naturally like to stick close to their people, but every dog is an individual and you're getting a mix, so there's no telling. My ACD mix is not really suitable to be off-leash. She has very high prey drive which we've worked very hard on and she's gotten better with, but it would still worry me to let her off-leash. She's also selective with other dogs, so it's just not going to happen, she's always leashed or in a fenced area.

Since you're getting a puppy, I would focus on the basics first. Have fun training exercises, go to puppy obedience class if you can, good socialization with everything you can think of. Then you can start moving toward more advanced stuff like serious off-leash training. Be patient and know that it can take a long time. And good luck and congrats on the puppy! We're gonna want pictures over here.

Edit: Also, putting in plugs for r/puppy101 and r/dogtraining, some great stuff over there.

HELLO OP! It could be a combo between her not knowing and the snow? Potty training isn't something that is learned over night - It takes a couple months, especially since your pup is only 11 weeks. She can barely hold her little bladder for 2 hours rn.

You should use the bell method. Works wonders and Heelers are so smart that she may even pick up hitting the bell in 2-3 days.
We purchased this one : https://www.amazon.com/Zacro-Doorbells-Training-Housebreaking-Dispenser/dp/B01LXBX7X7/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1518472123&sr=1-6&keywords=dog+training+bells&dpID=411jpOf3otL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Buy a dog bell from amazon. You'll need to train her to hit the bell first. Get her acclimated to being around the bell, let her lay on it, play with it, eat around it etc. Rewarding with her favorite treats when she successfully hits the bell with nose/paw when its in your hand, then slowly move it to the door. After that, connect the bell to every time she has to go to potty break. Use a phrase that will be easy for her to remember like "bell" so that she can hit it on command. Also, while walking her to go potty you should associate "let'S go potty". Repeating that so that its a familiar phrase and when she finally does go potty YOU PRAISE THAT LITTLE PUPPERS LIKE CRAZY. IM TALKING FULL ON DANCE PARTY PARADE WITH CONFETI, HOLLERING, BALLOONS AND TREATS.

I'm in Chicago so i understand your snow issue. I would shovel a good portion of snow to where she can go potty comfortably as she is so young. Take her to that spot or walk around for a good amount of time. Its not easy potty training but the reward is the best!

Our heeler is 6 months and we've only had accidents in the beginning of training her and in the middle of the night to where we're passed out and don't hear the bell. Only has happens a handful of times. Other than that, we have 0 issues. She will be snotty and hit the bell numerous of times tho to just go play outside after being taken already but that's her being a brat lol. I can tell when she really needs to go because she will look at me dead in the face and make a loud breathe followed by a bark lol. Shes the cutest.

Any ways, if you need any more tips, feel free to PM me!

I agree on balls and frisbees. I'm a huge fan of the brand ChuckIt. Especially the balls like these. They seem to hold up very well. They have a lot of give like a tennis ball which my dog loves. But they're pretty much solid rubber so they're not going to crack and break like tennis balls. But still have a lot of bounce and are relatively soft. I like the same brand for frisbees too. They're soft (but still have actual structure to them so they fly) so I don't have to worry about wear and tear on my dog's teeth. And they float so they're good for the beach/lake/river/pool. The frisbees aren't as tough as the balls and a determined dog can wreck one pretty quickly. Like within a few hours. But they hold up very well to normal frisbee use. And you're better off getting them online than at Petsmart. They're usually around $18 there and under $10 online.

Jolly Balls are fun too. The ones with the handles seem to lose the handle pretty quick. And the ones with the rope will have the rope pulled out. But the ones with the rope don't have a gaping hole in one side once the rope comes out and the ball itself doesn't fall apart unless a dog is actively trying to wreck it. I have one that I bought 6 months ago that's still in good shape.

I can totally understand not wanting to leave her in her crate for so many total hours each day. First I would recommend having lots and lots of toys on hand. The idea is to try to keep her engaged as much as possible while she's out there. Dogs can get tired of toys so I suggest investing in some new ones if you can and rotate them every few days. Have lots of chew toys on hand including hooves, horns (mine loves water buffalo horns especially) and antlers. The Busy Buddy Tug-a-jug can be a great toy once they get the hang of it. People who keep dogs in their apartment will actually give them all of their chow in these (start with small sized kibble first - any ACD mix will be smart enough to figure it out quickly) and they work to get it out during the course of the day. This will tire them out not only physically but mentally as well, which is hugely important, especially for ACD's. Along these lines, find new ways to engage her when you are home. Walks and exercise are essential but maybe start some training on new tricks (just 5-8 minutes at a time). ACD's need a job to do and helping to fulfill that in various ways can help to ease anxiety during others times of the day. It will be a process and it may not come without some trouble but it should eventually get better. I hope some of this is useful.

As long as you tire her out every day you will not be disappointed! Welcome to the club.

It took me a few months of pushing myself to get more comfortable trusting our adult adopted ACD (adopted in Feb this year) but after I realized he's not going to take off sprinting when he's off his leash, the bond really solidified.

They are very smart and have a lot of personality. I've only been able to find one toy that mine wont destroy within a half an hour.

Above all other advice make sure you get pet insurance (I think we have healthy paws). Within a couple of months we had to have a few teeth extracted from ours before we enrolled. $700. They are hearty pure breeds, but they're still pure breeds and have genetic issues sometimes, or they just play hard and tear their ACLs often (my vet recommended fetch with a ball rather than a frisbee).

I also highly recommend agility training. My ACD loves it and can do a full hour before getting brain drain. I've been tempted to try taking him to a dog friendly sheep ranch but I don't want to unlock his heeling instincts, I'm fortunate to have an ACD that is more of a retriever than a nipper.

Have you considered getting a larger play pen as opposed to a kennel, like this or something? I know people do kennel dogs for that long regularly, but I didn't like to with mine at least once they were old enough to trust through the night.

Also, are you looking at a puppy, or potentially an adult rescue? With your schedule, an adult would be a better fit I think.

Edit - Also, every dog is different. My ACD is more than happy to be lazy and nap through ~80% of the daytime, as long as she gets some good solid play for the other 20%. My Border Collie is another story... I think he would play until he was no longer physically able to move if I let him

Positive reinforcement training sessions which emphasise fun, play and success. Start with ‘Building Block behaviours’ Your dog will think he is training you! https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/wiki/

Teach your dog to play tug by the rules and use it as a reward for recall (‘come’). http://www.reddit.com/r/dogtraining/wiki/rulesoftug

Look into taking up a dog sport. Even young pups can start play based learning for sports such as Nosework, agility,obedience etc. https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com

Depending on age, go on hikes, to beaches or drives in the car to explore new places together

If you have a puppy, look into puppy schools which focus on opportunities for you to watch your dog interact with other pups and for you to get some training on reading dog body language.

Be kind and patient with your dog and use positive training to teach good manners and reinforce the behaviours you will want in your dog.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/wiki/calm
Your dog will love you for it.

ETA- if you have a puppy, this is a great book. https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Puppy-Days-Start-Right/dp/0964151871

ACDs can be a bit suspicious of other people and dogs which results in difficult behaviour. Make sure you socialise your pup carefully.

Thank you! My boy loves the tunnel, if I leave it out he will lay in there and just go back and forth on his own. He's a year and a half old and has always been pretty brave about things. I did throw a treat in there originally, and for his first time I used the stakes and attached it to the grass, that way it wouldn't move a lot on its own when he went through or if there was a big gust of wind 🤗 Same here he just loves games, and totally thrives on this stuff.

Here is the tunnel I bought, seems really durable and comes with the stakes 😁 Good luck!

HDP 18 Ft Dog Agility Training Open Tunnel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046HWA4W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_ZUDaaQrTImZkF

My ACD goes absolutely nuts for the chuckit frisbees. She likes plastic ones but they are so sharp. Hates rubber ones because they fly too fast and she can't catch them as easily. Loves loves loves the chuckit ones, they fly well and are pretty durable.


Chuckit Paraflight Flyer Dog Toy Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ESY894/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hp1ODb8AH756C

When it comes to heelers, it's important to keep their minds busy as well as their bodies! When you go for your walks, try not to take the same route, as this can keep smells fun!

Kongs are very good too, but try and get another puzzle toy. These work GREAT for ours: https://www.amazon.com/Starmark-Treat-Ringer-Orb-Dog/dp/B01KV0G94O/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=53524640342&gclid=CjwKCAjwqNnqBRATEiwAkHm2BKK3w1YtfCqlvdce24bBln99i3d8NwBJkC2g6tKznPf66CipDAtwbhoCaX0QAvD_BwE&hvadid=274683640023&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9029718&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11537067208755255443&hvtargid=aud-646118600766%3Akwd-375935521173&hydadcr=14557_9765731&keywords=starmark+treat+rings&qid=1565974031&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A3I07C5PD33KVE&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSEs3UUJQMjk4NjhRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjAyNDA2VllGOE5DSkFIQjImZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDEzMDM0NjMxVkpJOVc2RDRHTzUmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Try and do a longer walk at night, or when you have time, 20 minutes is great, but if you can walk your dog until they can't keep up, they'll burn off a lot of excess energy

This purple squirrel treat puzzle toy was suggested to me on this subforum a while back, and has been very good for my ACD. He and his older Boston Terrier brother love it to death, and yet haven’t come close to tearing it apart like they do with almost any other toy.

As for chews, antlers are great. My ACD loves them. It’s just a matter of being able to find them for cheap.

We stay inside at -30C
We play until I make him stop at -20C (~10-15 min)
Anything warmer than that and I watch his body language. Any sign of loss of interest in playing or holding a paw up away from the snow and we'll stop. If he gets snow stuck in his pads I'll stop him and melt it.

We dont do much leash walking in the winter. We'll go to a dog park where I can throw a ball along a trampled path where we might not lose it. If we can't do that sometimes we'll go to an open area where he can chase around some larger toys like his egg or ball.

I have a lot of fun when there's a crust layer on top of the snow that a ball will roll on forever, but the dog is too heavy and has to fight through it.

To specifically address your question, at -10C for 30 min I wouldn't be too worried as long as he's moderately active. If you are doing most of your walks on city streets/sidewalks I would consider boots to help protect his paws from the salt.

Also check his paws nightly to be sure that the pads aren't split or cracking, there are balms/moisturizers you can use if they are. My pup usually ends up cutting his pads on icy snow at least a couple times a year.

I picked it up off of amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/ICEFANG-Harness-Medium-Tactical-Pulling/dp/B01N1YVRC8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=tactical+dog+harness&qid=1569679940&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUjdES1c2Rk9RMEpEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTQzMjY3MTZTTzhWSUhVUEo5MSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzc0OTEyMVVTTlJVOFZPRVlVSCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

This is actually her second one, we got her a smaller one as a puppy. Both have held up super well and she loves them!

The harnesses dont fit properly if theyre slipping out, not to mention both of them. You need to get proper fitting ones and train like the other commenter recommended. Even if theyre not usually aggressive if theyre off leash and run up to another leashed dog and end up in a scuffle youre the one liable.

Ive seen this brand recommended on this sub quite a bit. This style should be good and the neck is adjustable, which should be helpful, if they cant get it over their head youre good to go.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MZ9E1LX/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519888084&sr=8-3&keywords=ruffwear+dog+harness&dpPl=1&dpID=61VwIom-HhL&ref=plSrch

Feste's the same way with his toys. He had the gopher version of the piggy, and poor Malvolio died within a week :(

There are a couple toys that we've had for a long time, though.

1.) Kong makes a few good toys for "extreme chewers." They're usually black and smell like rubber, but they've held up. We have a ball and a treat dispensing Kong like this.

2.) Rope toys don't last, but one Invincible Chain from JW has lasted us several months (I even wrote a review on it).

Oh, and here's Feste (when he was a puppy) with Malvolio

We have this one which is AWESOME:

http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Paw-Tricky-Treat-Large/dp/B0002DK26M/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1419201598&sr=1-1&keywords=roll+treat+ball

Use it for breakfast and dinner on rainy days when he doesn't get in his usual hike. Takes about... 8 minutes? But he has a lot of fun with it!

my remotes 🤣

but my heeler also loves her benebone and nylabone

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HWD8LC/ref=sxr_rr_xsim_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=9ddc66f6-9fc0-49ff-b2fa-06a39d9859e6&pd_rd_wg=SOte8&pf_rd_r=S0WB7MF4RF3HQGJNJZVT&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B076HWD8LC&pd_rd_w=MREa7&pf_rd_i=dog+chew&pd_rd_r=77c78d8c-a004-4930-8e62-ff33c21513ae&ie=UTF8&qid=1537657266&sr=3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01725U0QE/ref=sxr_rr_xsim_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=9ddc66f6-9fc0-49ff-b2fa-06a39d9859e6&pd_rd_wg=SOte8&pf_rd_r=S0WB7MF4RF3HQGJNJZVT&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B01725U0QE&pd_rd_w=MREa7&pf_rd_i=dog+chew&pd_rd_r=77c78d8c-a004-4930-8e62-ff33c21513ae&ie=UTF8&qid=1537657266&sr=1

also himalayan yak chews https://www.amazon.com/Kathmandus-Natural-4-Count-XLarge-Chews/dp/B07BZZJ487/ref=sr_1_11?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1537657383&sr=1-11&keywords=himalayan+dog+chew+large

We have one of these for dinner time The large fits about a cup of food. Its cheap, durable, dishwasher safe, all that stuff. Dog figured it out pretty quick.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DK26M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tuffy makes some good stuff. We have a number of them. I just picked up the large sheep, it's almost as big as she is. Great for tug. She will chew the ears off. But in 14 months she's only got through 1. There's bones, bully sticks, balls etc to distract her also.

These are the favorites:

http://www.tuffietoys.com/
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Twist-Treat-Small/dp/B0002I0RLW
https://www.amazon.com/Omega-Paw-Tricky-Treat-Large/dp/B0002DK26M

I use these every day for both meals
bob a lot

Kong wobble

I got the bob a lot when I left the other one at my parents house. It allows you to adjust the kibble flow in two places (inside, and the opening size).
The wobble is much easier to fill. I ended up drilling a few small holes near the main hole, and stringing some zip ties across the dispenser hole, so that food comes out slower, rather than Neko being able to empty it in a few pushes.

They are pretty similar, so you probably only need one.

I've had my ACD for nearly a year, and while many Kongo have fallen in the valiant battle against his chewing tendencies, one particular toy has not.

And it is a bright purple squirrel.
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Busy-Buddy-Squirrel-Medium/dp/B000A61GNO