Australian Shepherds love active, engaging toys that satisfy their herding instincts, intelligence, and energy, such as Frisbees, herding balls (like Jolly Balls), rope toys for tug-of-war, and puzzle/ treat-dispensing toys (like Kong Wobblers) to challenge their minds, while also enjoying fetch with durable balls and agility obstacles for physical exercise.
Scent & nose work, obedience/rally training, food puzzles, teaching them new tricks, hide & seek, obstacle courses (agility, any one?), taking your dog on a sniff & exploration walk where the object is to let them sniff at everything all they want with no agenda on forward movement.
Frisbees and flying discs are perfect for Australian Shepherds, who love to run, jump, and catch. These toys provide excellent physical exercise and help improve your dog's agility, coordination, and overall fitness.
Many Aussies enjoy playing fetch, either will smaller balls like tennis balls, or bigger ones like soccer or basketballs, or toys made especially for dogs. Some will enjoy playing frisbee. Some may like to play tug or just play with toys that make various noises.
Australian Shepherds excel in obedience, agility, and herding trials, which are excellent outlets for their mental energy. Puzzle games and toys, on the other hand, can keep puppies engaged when they are indoors or during times when physical exercise might not be feasible.
With their sharp minds, endless energy, and unwavering loyalty, Australian Shepherds — affectionately known as Aussies — are more than just stunning dogs. Bred for herding, these intelligent and agile pups thrive on activity, whether it's rounding up livestock or keeping up with an adventure-loving owner.
Puzzle toys: Puzzle toys are entertaining, safe dog toys that can keep your pup occupied for a while. You put kibble and/or treats in the toy, and the dog has to work on the toy to get the food to fall out. Examples of puzzle toys are Buster Cube, Busy Buddy, and Kong Wobble, but there are lots of others.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
The Australian Experience
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
Most puppies start to calm down around six months to a year. It can take up to two years for them to fully mature and settle. Puppy energy levels can sometimes overwhelm pet parents, but it's all about patience and consistency. As they grow and learn, they'll start to balance out that playful energy.
If a person consistently provides positive experiences—like treats, praise, or playtime—the dog will naturally associate them with happiness and security. These positive associations are powerful and help strengthen the bond between a dog and their favourite person.
Despite their working shepherd dog DNA, Aussie dogs love to cuddle up on the sofa and be part of home and family life. In fact, they are incredibly sociable, family-orientated dogs, and so they should live, eat, and sleep indoors with you.
This breed thrives on daily activities, ideally totaling one to two hours each day, which should include vigorous activities like jogging, agility training, and interactive play to keep them engaged. Aussies are natural athletes with high energy levels, making them well-suited for dog sports like flyball and obedience.
I like to do a mix of " parlour tricks " and tricks that have value in real world applications.
The 777 Puppy Rule (or Rule of 7s) is a guideline for puppy socialization, suggesting that by seven weeks old, a puppy should experience seven different Surfaces, seven different Sounds, seven different Objects, seven different People, seven different Locations, seven different Containers, and seven different Challenges, all in positive, short, and safe ways to build confidence and resilience. It helps prevent fear and reactivity by creating positive associations with novel experiences during the critical socialization window (around 4-16 weeks).
Herding breeds (Border Collies, Heelers, Aussies) often show affection by circling, nudging, or “guiding” you. They're not trying to control you, they're trying to keep you safe and close, just like they would with their flock.
There is evidence that there are genetic predispositions to how a dog processes information, and this can extend to televisions. Breeds from herding or sporting backgrounds tend to react to it more. Dog breeds more likely to watch TV include: Australian Shepherds.
Australians have fun by embracing the outdoors (beach, surfing, bushwalking, BBQing), engaging in a passionate sports culture (AFL, cricket, rugby), enjoying social activities like dining out and café culture, and pursuing hobbies such as gaming, gardening, fishing, and attending festivals, all while taking advantage of their great climate and relaxed lifestyle.
The seven second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for seven seconds, it is too hot to walk for your dogs. This rule also applies to dogs riding in the bed of a pickup truck.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
5 Ways to Say Sorry to Your Dog
Here are 10 indoor activity ideas to engage your pet inside both physically and mentally.
To prevent dogs from breaking toys, swallowing parts, or cutting themselves on sharp edges, the safest dog chews are made from durable materials. Rubber and silicone are usually good materials options for safe, non-toxic dog toys. These materials are durable, yet pliable enough not to cause damage to your pet's teeth.