About Australian Shepherds
The Australian Shepherd is a highly versatile breed with great energy, intelligence and a desire to please. As such, they are able to excel at any number of different jobs. For example, they are used as search-and-rescue dogs, guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, therapy dogs, drug detecting dogs and show dogs. Originally bred as herding dogs, Aussies are still used to herd cattle and sheep on working ranches. They are marvelously adept in agility, obedience, utility and other performance disciplines. As working dogs, they are happiest when they are given tasks to do. On the other side, Australian Shepherds make wonderful family companions as well — provided the family that they are with has sufficient space and lots of time to spend exercising their loyal friend.
The Best Herding Dogs in the World
Australian Shepherds have a well-deserved reputation as the best herding dogs in the world. As herding dogs- they have a well-developed protective instinct and thus make excellent watch dogs. On the plus side though, whilst Aussies will bark warnings at any suspected danger they are not excessive barkers. Those who grow to love this breed say they are the most loyal, playful and affectionate dogs that love to be cuddled and make wonderful companions. Australian Shepherds are also highly intelligent and as with all herding dogs, are easily trained.
Aussies Need to Work to Be Happy
With all these positive attributes, Australian Shepherds do make wonderful family pets. However, they are not dogs that can be given five minutes of attention a day and then left alone for most of the time. As with many intelligent dogs which were originally bred to be working dogs, Aussies can become bored easily if left alone for long periods. When they aren’t given sufficient activity, they tend to chew up whatever they can get their paws on. Aussies are also notorious hole diggers and clever escape artists. These problems can easily be avoided, however, if you provide your Australian Shepherd with lots of exercise and are able to spend good amounts of time with him. As they were bred as herding dogs originally, Aussies would have exercised extensively as working dogs. They still require some of that energy outlet as family pets. It’s a great idea to give your Aussie “work” as part of his exercise routine, this could include carrying a backpack on walks. Aussies love being given a “job” and they thrive in being part of the action and are willing company on family outings such as hiking or camping trips. Throwing Frisbees and balls in the park is of course always fun for the Aussie!
Start Training from Puppyhood
If you want to provide proper training for your Australian Shepherd, it’s often best to acquire your dog as a puppy rather than an adult. Your new little Aussie can also get completely comfortable with the environment it is to live in and you can start with training straight away. The best way is to give the puppy a sense of boundaries (areas he can’t go in) and to provide him with his own area such as a kennel or crate. Make the crate a very welcoming place for your puppy so that he feels as if it is his safe space. Putting toys and a comfy blanket in the crate will help and give him something to occupy him if he wakes in the night. It’s very important to establish very clear boundaries right in the beginning as Aussies are intelligent dogs and will try to become the “alpha” dog in the family and rule the roost, as it were. However, with time and effort you will be rewarded with the best friend a person can have.
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