The Australian Shepherd was initially bred as a working dog, so if you have one as a pet, they are probably not getting as much as they need. The minimum amount of time during exercise should be one to two hours daily. You can exercise your dog by walking them, purposeful activity and mental stimulation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Australian Shepherds need to vent their energy on a regular basis and to utilize their active and brilliant minds, otherwise they will become out of control and bored stiff -- which they usually express by barking and destroying. A bored Aussie will trash your house and yard.
The Aussie's desire to cuddle
Dogs in general are known for being happy, cuddly, sweet, and soothing for a human to pet. Some breeds are, by nature, more affectionate than others. While the Aussie will typically reserve cuddling for one person or a group of trusted people, sometimes he won't want to cuddle at all.
Their high energy can be a blessing and a curse. An inactive Australian Shepherd can become bored and even destructive when not exercised. This fun-loving breed requires a lot of exercise and needs to stay active; whether it's playing fetch or taking a long walk every day, make sure to keep your Aussie moving!
Attention Seekers
Aussies can be very clingy.
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.
Loyal. Aussies are very smart, loyal, and love having someone to be with at all times. Loyalty is a necessary trait for any service dog. Besides being extremely friendly and energetic, Aussies are usually very easy to train and can make great emotional support animals or service dogs.
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. This is when dogs feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety over being apart from their owners.
An active yet easy-going dog, the Australian shepherd loves to romp with children and tends to get along well with other pets. Australian shepherds are great family pets, herding animals, police dogs and competitors in obedience trials.
Australian Shepherds are demanding of time and attention and want to be with you constantly. They are polite to aloof with strangers. There is timidity in some lines, and early socialization is important to avoid shyness or sharpness.
As a result, they love to learn tricks and skills. They are very responsive to positive reinforcement, making toilet training and other training relatively easy to master. They're very active and energetic, and love to run and play with both kids and adults. Australian Shepherds love the attention that playtime brings.
Australian Shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty with one person, that doesn't mean every Shepherd will act like that. Some Shepherds might not build a particularly strong bond with any one family member. Others might like one of you more than another, but they don't sit on you to show it.
If your Aussie frequently initiates games that require problem-solving, brings toys to engage in play, or loves agility activities with you, it's a sign of their bond and love for you. They see you not just as their owner, but as their playmate and teammate.
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!
They worked with livestock and provided companionship for families while protecting them. Australian shepherds love working and being with their families. They're a very devoted breed and highly intelligent. Australian shepherds bond with their owners and family and take their role as guardians seriously.
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.
Showing submission.
Your dog may show its teeth when smiling at you while letting you know it accepts that you're the leader. It's a sign of respect, not of aggression. You can typically tell the difference by looking at your dog's posture. If it is relaxed, then there's nothing for you to worry about.
Herding dogs, especially the Australian Shepherd, have an instinct to herd and are more prone to anxiety if they cannot corral those in their care. As your shepherd cares so much about you, she may feel severe separation anxiety when you leave the house, and they are completely alone.