Training the Australian Shepherd Dog

Owning an Australian Shepherd dog can be a source of pride and joy. This breed is meant for an active lifestyle so be prepared to live one yourself. To be able to maximize the breed’s potential, it is essential to learn some vital facts about training Australian Shepherds. Commonly called Aussies, they originated from the U.S. working as a herding dog in ranches. A medium sized, stout, well-balanced country dog characterized by its triangular shaped ears set high on the side of the head and slightly rounded at the tip. These animals have a strong, deep chest and squarely stand on all fours. Its docked bobtail is one identifying character. Masculinity or femininity is clearly defined in Australian Shepherd dogs. Height: Male 20-23 inches.Female 18-21 inches. Weight: Male 50-65 lbs Female 40-55 lbs.Personality Aussies are high spirited and sociable animals. They love to play around. The rougher the play is the more they enjoy it. Though they are generally playful, they have a tendency to be quiet and reserved around strangers. Dedicated, caring and always ready to please their masters. This animal is known to posses a great instinct when it comes to knowing what their master wants. They do their tasks that are expected of them with a lot of enthusiasm. Kinds would love having this animal to play with but they display a guarded behavior around strangers. it is essential to get them exposed to people and other dogs at an early stage to hone their social skills and learn to discern between a friend and foe. Because herding is inherent with this breed, it is important for them to undergo obedience training to have control over their exuberance around children. Australian Shepherd dog training should involve plenty of brisk activities to enhance their well being. It is recommended to get them into an obedience training school to properly channel and control their liveliness. The energetic nature of Australian Shepherd needs to be channeled to productive tasks, lots of play and active training otherwise their pent up energy will result to destructive chewing and digging. Aussies are happier when they are busy and active instead of just lazing around. Rough and tumble play are part of being a normal Aussie. Australian Shepherd dogs can live up to 12 years or more. Aussie's have generally bigger appetite compared with other dogs of similar size so it is important to give them hefty quality meal. Owning this kind of breed requires a lot of preparation and commitment to get the best out of them. Known to be loyal and hardworking, life with a well-trained Australian Shepherd dogs can be enjoyable and rewarding.