What is an Aussie? (shepherd that is....)
Australian Shepherds (Aussies) are described by DogBreedInfo.com as, "... a medium-sized, robust, well-balanced, rustic dog." To paraphrase their definition of temperament, 'They are easy-going, courageous and protective. Good with kids, agile, attentive, and eager to please, devoted, and affectionate. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent, and without enough training, mental and physical exercise, they can become nervous and destructive. They require socialization. and are not normally dog aggressive.'
Of the many trainers and styles available, I have had the best success with Force Free methods. It may take a little longer, but the results will last a lifetime, helping your dog to retain their character and zest for life. Within the Info & Links menu are pages for topics that I ; Favorite Trainers, Responsible Breeding, Socialization, Vaccinations, Raw Feeding,
The following are sites that I frequent, or articles I've found interesting and helpful.
- Dogs Naturally Magazine (I HIGHLY recommend subscription to the magazine and site.)
- Realistic time management for trainers
- Are There Behavior Changes When Dogs Are Spayed or Neutered?
- Suddenly spooked - Secondary fear phase in adolescent dogs
- Why I won't microchip :: Chips gone wrong
....But they are also much more....
Aussies are truly companions, who require understanding and guidance to help them through all of their new experiences. They will challenge you, and make you think about things differently. They will make you laugh with their antics, and melt your heart with the tilt of their head, and a look that says, "I think I get it!". Without knowing when, they will fill gaps in your life, that you didn't know existed. Intelligent and goofy, and always looking for good scratch or run. When fed a biologically appropriate diet, and have been bred responsibly, they are one of the most resilient and healthy dogs around.
They are so very versatile, they've been used as therapy and service dogs, for a multitude of sports, search and rescue, and the list could go on and on. But how do you train an intelligent dog? It's not nearly as easy as you might think! All they really want to do, is make you happy, but the translation between owner and dog is often misconstrued. Aussies are very sensitive and observant, and can catch a mood swing, before you've completed the process. If you're frustrated or upset, what you think may be positive reinforcement, they may see as aversive.