ACD behavior

Australian Cattle Dogs, also known as Queensland Heelers, are herders. Below are a few ways he expresses that behavior.

I usually take a ball when I take Marley to the dog run. If Marley is the only dog there, or if the other dogs stay down at the other end, he will fetch the ball. But if the dogs are running together, Marley will let the other dogs get the ball and then he'll chase the dog that has the ball.
Sometimes, another dog will be running and Marley will chase that dog, but only within a set perimeter. He'll try to keep the other dog from exiting that area by running along a boundary line.

Debbie often goes to bed early than I do, but if I'm really tired I'll go in first. If I'm hanging out in the living room watching TV and Marley wants to go to sleep, he'll come over and nudge me with his snout. I may try to pet him or tell him it's alright or tell him to go to Momma. He may nudge me again. If I don't pay attention, he'll start barking. And he won't stop until I go into the bedroom. Once I get into bed, he'll get onto his bed and we all go to sleep together.

This is also related to the "100% rule." Togetherness, love, and ownership/territory are defined by the 100% rule. Marley wants to be with both his masters 100% of the time, or as close as possible. Marley want 100% of the love in the household to be directed at him. He is a jealous dog. If he sees Debbie and me holding hands or rubbing one another, Marley immediately tries to get in the middle of it.

Ownership/territory is the strongest form of the 100% rule. Marley knows which chair is mine, where Debbie usually sits on the couch, and which area of the couch he's allowed on. Marely wants to rule it all, but when I say, "Get out of my chair," he moves. If Debbie sits in my chair, he'll bark at her. It's as if he's saying, "That's his chair, not yours." There is no such thing as sharing in his mind. Either it's yours or it's his. Mostly, it's his.