They require plenty of attention. Being left alone for too long may cause the intelligent, energetic Australian Shepherd to create her own fun—often through destructive behaviors or barking. While an Aussie may be left home alone for four to six hours at a time, crate training may be necessary for the dog's safety.
Aussies can be very clingy. They crave human companionship and love being included in pretty much everything you do, including being involved in all family activity. Since they require an active lifestyle, they will want to join in everything and anything that is going on around them.
The bottom line. Australian Shepherds are bundles of fun, but they are also highly sensitive dogs. You should never leave an Aussie alone for more than four hours at a time, and try to make the most out of every day to prevent boredom and loneliness when they're left to their own devices.
Australian Shepherds are extremely active dogs that require more than 2 hours of exercise a day. They require committed owners who are willing to give them lots of exercise if they are not going to be used as a working dog.
Aside from cuddling, Aussies show affection by bringing you toys, nudging you with their noses, sitting on you, and showing their bellies to you. By putting himself in a vulnerable position, he's showing that he trusts you.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone.
The Australian Shepherd will choose one person in the family and then want to spend lots of their time around that person, including sitting on them. Their loyalty is unwavering, so your Shepherd might become your new shadow by your side.
Aussies that have adequate mental stimulation can be very satisfied with regular leash walks every day and a few free runs or active retrieval games per week. Examples of mentally stimulating activities: Food dissection (stuffed Kongs instead of food bowl) Delectable but difficult-to-slaughter chew bones.
No. These dogs are not naturally aggressive and make excellent family pets in many homes — they're active, loyal, and loving dogs. So if you're looking for a new canine best friend, an Australian shepherd could be one of the best dogs for you and your family.
Yes! Like most dogs, Aussies (and Mini Aussies) are active and outdoorsy, but still best suited to indoor living. Medium-large-sized homes with gardens are best, but they can do well in smaller homes, too. Just so long as they get everything they need to be happy and healthy!
Most Australian Shepherds should begin calming down at two years of age. At this point, they're considered mature dogs who can better regulate their energy. That said, not all Aussies will tone it down at this age. It may take them reaching seniority for their energy to drop off.
Although we often think of purebred dogs for having the propensity for anxiety, any mixed breed can run the same risk. Always look at the parent breeds in your pup to determine if he will have a greater risk of anxiety. Some breeds that have a predisposition for anxiety are: Australian Shepherd.
Splooting is a great stretch for the animals' hips. Splooting also allows the animal to cool themselves by pressing their belly into the ground or against tile floors. Owners may notice that their pets sploot more often when they are younger.
Australian shepherds are friendly animals, but they often reserve their outright affection in human interaction for their owners and other family members. Once they become attached, they are incredibly loyal animals.
Aussies are active, protective, friendly dogs that love to please and be loyal to their owners. They also have territorial instincts that can make them naturally possessive of their owners and home.
Energy Levels
Without enough exercise and mental stimulation, an Aussie may become bored which may lead to destructive or snippy behavior. The tireless Aussie is a herding dog that was bred to work—if they're not given a job to do they will find one. A bored Aussie may dig, bark, or pace.
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
Keep in mind the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot, making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the 'speak' command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.
“Some dogs do it when they are excited or anxious: The physical contact may be comforting to them,” Dr. Sung says. “It can also be a form of attention-seeking behavior. Who would not pay attention to a dog walking between their legs?”
Their cute little bobtail butts wag their whole body when they greet you.
Many dog owners view dogs' licking as a sign of affection similar to kissing. Obsessive licking may be a sign of underlying issues, including anxiety, boredom, or fear. Trick training is an effective way to redirect problem licking in a positive way.