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.
A Miniature Australian Shepherd requires a moderate amount of exercise—at least one hour per day. Luckily, these pups aren't particular with how they receive their workout, so a walk, run, jog, or hike can all do the job. These pups also enjoy off-leash running outside (in a fenced-in area) and some indoor playtime.
Australian Shepherd puppy exercise
Overly strenuous walks are not necessary and in fact, could possibly cause harm. An activity that is a high impact on the joints should also be avoided. The best exercise for a young puppy is free play with age-appropriate toys.
Your Australian Shepherd will need a minimum of two hours exercise every day, but the more you can give them the better. This should be split into two fairly long walks, with plenty of time to stop and have a sniff, along with the chance to run around off-lead in a secure area.
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.
Dogs that have double or water-repellant coats, like Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Akitas, Labrador Retrievers, and Newfoundlands, may only need baths every few months. Bathing them more often than necessary can cause dry skin.
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.
They, like some other animals, have their one chosen person, which is probably you if your dog sits on you all the time. When the Australian Shepherd chooses their person, they begin to exhibit loyalty towards you, even to an extreme degree.
Some dogs are simply more nervous or anxious and will use pacing as a way to relieve their anxiety. Others will pace when they are agitated about something or someone in or just outside the home. Some dogs may pace because they simply want your attention.
Australian Shepherds have energy that goes for miles. Their energy levels may calm down some at around two years old, but this isn't guaranteed. Ensuring your Aussie gets two to three hours of exercise each day is the best means of regulating their energy and preventing destructive habits.
Even though Mini and Toy Australian Shepherds are smaller, they energy level is just as high as that of a standard-sized Aussie!
Height: Ideally, males should be 14 to 18 inches tall at the withers; females, 14 to 17 inches. Weight: Approximately 20 to 40 pounds.
Your puppy should be taken outside at least every two hours. Once they hit 20 weeks, they may be able to hold it for four hours. Don't plan on leaving them home for much of the day when you first adopt them. It simply won't work.
The affectionate, clever Australian Shepherd makes a loving family dog for experienced dog owners. They are friendly and loving with their family, but have an extremely high energy level and require vigorous exercise every day to wear them out.
When your dog licks you, he may be showing his affection, or simply because your lotion or skin tastes good. A compulsive licker may have unintentionally been taught this behavior by his owner: He learns that licking gets him attention, even if it's negative.
The behavior is a good sign that your dog is happy at home, happy with you, and happy with any other pets or friends that he might encounter throughout the day. As a general rule, Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation in order to feel happy.
Attention Seekers
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.
Australian Shepherds are active dogs, so they need a lot of food. The general rule of thumb is to feed your Aussie twice a day. However, some Aussies may do better on three small meals a day. If you're not sure how often to feed your Aussie, talk to your vet.
Working dogs who actually have jobs to do, such as an Australian shepherd working on a farm, probably won't have time to snooze for the average 14 hours a day and might sleep less.
Yes, they can get cold easily if they are not used to it.
Despite being from warmer climates, they can tolerate cold temperatures thanks to their thick double fur coat. They can't stay outside in the freezing cold for long, though. If they exceed their tolerances, Australian shepherds can freeze to death.
Typical causes of anxiety in australian shepherd's might be: Separation anxiety – Fear of being separated from their owner. This often manifests itself by your australian shepherd pacing, drooling, biting, or being destructive while you're away.
Herding, agility, flyball and disk catching can provide both mental and physical exercise. Australian Shepherds enjoy cold weather, but cannot live outside in it.
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.