Leave them alone to rest and let them see their bed as a place that belongs just to them. Dog beds are not the only option for your Australian Shepherd's sleeping area. You could also buy them a large pillow, a small mattress, or even a small dog sofa.
As medium-sized dogs with big personalities, Australian Shepherds are best suited to living in medium-large sized homes with some kind of outdoor space. That said, smaller homes and apartments aren't necessarily a no-no, just as long as you can get them outside for toilet time and provide sufficient exercise and play.
Aussies are people-oriented dogs who tend to follow their family from room to room just to be near them. 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.
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!
Although Australian Shepherds have the reputation for needing wide-open space, they do just fine in cities if they get enough stimulation and exercise. They're not good apartment dogs, though. You'll want at least a small yard to help them get out some of their high energy.
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.
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.
Give your pet a warm, dry place to relax, either inside or in a shaded outdoor area. Because cold climates cause dogs to drink less, provide plenty of water to prevent dehydration. If your Australian Shepherd will be spending extended periods of time outside in cold weather, consider getting them a coat or sweater.
The Australian Shepherd is a perfect example of a high-maintenance dog. Though they make great companions, their constant health problems and tend to shed make them a difficult breed to own. They also require a lot of exercise and can be high-maintenance when it comes to their health.
This strong work drive can make Aussies too much dog for a sedentary pet owner. Aussies are remarkably intelligent, quite capable of hoodwinking an unsuspecting novice owner. In short, this isn't the pet for everyone.
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.
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety.
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.
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.
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!
Australian Shepherd
Despite their high energy, Aussies are usually quiet. They may bark to alert their owners of a stranger or an unfamiliar situation but other than that, you won't hear much from them. This fits the self-controlled personality that Aussies possess.
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!
Cons! The Australian Shepherd develops a strong bond with its owner that won't easily break. If this breed doesn't have an outlet for its bundled up energy, then it may start destroying objects around the home. This breed will complete any task or job you give it.
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.
As a general guide, above seven degrees is considered safe for most breeds. If the weather drops to below zero, it is beginning to become unsafe for most dogs. Below minus 12 degrees, while unlikely in Australia, is considered life-threatening.
They are not (generally speaking) afraid of it and seem to really enjoy swimming. This breed of dog is actually a very good swimmer. They have strong legs and a muscular body which helps them to stay afloat and move through the water easily. The dog stays cool while exercising, which are both things Aussies Enjoy!
It can be a crime to leave pets outside in extreme temperatures without food and shelter. Cold weather can be deadly for pets.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
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.