Like many doggies, Australian Shepherds love to sleep. In fact, sleep takes up a good portion of an Australian Shepherd's life. In adulthood, they sleep about twelve hours a day! This is an energetic dog who needs to recharge as often as possible to stay in top form.
Adult Australian Shepherds need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily, depending on how much energy they burn during the day. And although puppies are little bundles of energy, they need 18 to 20 hours to support their growth and development.
The average Aussie goes to bed just after 10:45pm, which is more than an hour earlier than the late night Spaniards, the University of Michigan's global sleep pattern research found. As well as the early nights, Australians are the first to rise along with Americans who both get up just after 6:45am.
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.
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.
All puppies and young dogs experience a period of extreme activity. In Aussies, it should stop at around 2-3 years of age. But don't worry!
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety.
Giving an Aussie the stimulation they need
Of course, Aussies need plenty of physical exercise: no less than one hour per day, and preferably upwards of two hours. This goes for both standard and mini Aussies. Beyond the physical however, Aussies need to work out their brains.
There are many forms of anxiety that your australian shepherd may be suffering from. Typical causes of anxiety in australian shepherd's might be: Separation anxiety – Fear of being separated from their owner.
While Australian Shepherds can be very affectionate, loving, and cuddly dogs with their family members, they may not act the same way at all with someone they don't know. This dog will enjoy snuggling with the people he trusts.
Among a list of 13 factors, 30 per cent of Australian respondents said financial or economic issues kept them up at night, with a further 23 per cent saying work caused the most sleepless nights. Only 18 per cent said technology, such as smartphones or tablets, was the biggest reason they couldn't get to sleep.
Letting Your Dog on the Bed is YOUR Choice!
There may be a rare exception, but I can't think of any reason why a dog should have to sleep on your bed. Of course, if he's accustomed to sleeping on his human's bed and you abruptly evict him, he's likely to tell you how he feels about it in no uncertain terms.
Being a medium-sized dog, Australian Shepherds, on average, weigh between 40-65 pounds and stand 18-23 inches in height. Their expected lifespan is 12-15 years. These dogs have a medium to long length coat that can be both straight and have a slight wave.
Adult dogs
You can feed Adult Australian Shepherds typically eat 1.5 to 3.5 cups of high-quality dry dog food daily, divided into two meals. However, highly active adults may require more food to meet their energy needs.
For a typical female, the weight ranges from 18.2kg to 23.8kg and for a male from 20.4kg to 27.5kg. That is, 40.1 lbs to 50.5 lbs for females and 45 lbs to 60.8 lbs for males. The chart presents the percentage of the population that falls in a specific range.
Firstly, Australian Shepherds require regular brushing. You should brush their coat once or twice a week to help remove any dead hair and dirt. In addition, brushing their coat will help keep their coat looking healthy and shiny.
Australian Shepherds tend to whine for all sorts of reasons, such as to get your attention or if they're sick or injured. If you can rule out a medical condition, then the next step to quiet your Aussie is to train them not to whine. Failing to indulge in their bad behavior will clue them in to stop. Good luck!
Attention Seekers
Aussies can be very clingy.
Female Aussie shepherds are said to be more sensitive and laid back than males, making them easier to handle. They can make great companions for those looking for an intelligent and loyal pet.
Hopefully this helps you understand the mystifying question “why does my dog sit on me.” If your Australian Shepherd likes to plop down on you, you should be flattered. This is a sign they love you and are loyal to you. They found their spot.
Your dog might sit in your lap to show affection.
It could also be your pup's way of initiating playtime, especially if you're parked on the ground or on the floor. They might think you're inviting them to play. Sitting on you could also make them feel safe, since they look at you as their protector.