Anybody have experience with Australian Shepherds?
- Thread starter wbnolefan2
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They are wonderful dogs...very smart. But they also need a LOT of exercise and are typically not as warm and snuggly as, say, a Golden Retriever.
If your kids are grown enough to deal with an active animal, then go for it, but I'd try to find out why a nine month old male is being sold/adopted.
If your kids are grown enough to deal with an active animal, then go for it, but I'd try to find out why a nine month old male is being sold/adopted.
Not quite as insane as a border collie but close. Every one I know who had one loves them. So long as you are willing to spend the time with them. Not a lap dog.
Great dogs, but as others have said they need to have the ability to burn energy daily. After all, they are a working breed.
Our kids were very young when our old boy died so I can’t talk about him with kids, but he was very protective of our household.
My youngest son is 11 and shoots basketball every afternoon for an hour or two, I figure the dog can play defense!
Do they bark much ?
Do they bark much ?
That's nowhere near enough exercise for an Aussie. They need daily training (beyond sit and shake) and lots of actual exercise (not just walking or throwing the ball a few times...try throwing the ball for an hour two times a day, plus the training). This is a working breed and puppies in general have lots of energy.
Yes, they bark. They will also probably try to herd the kids and tend to nip when they herd.
If it's still intact, remedying that is priority number one.
I have a 95 intact 3 year old German Shepherd and physical exercise alone will not "settle/wear" high drive dogs down. They need to be mentally engaged because dogs like that, and the one you are looking at, are not for novice dog owners.
Best dog I ever had was a Border Collie. He used to swim with the dolphins at the Living Seas at Disney. He was constantly trying to herd them. He literally used to position himself at the sidewalk at our house and keep all the visiting neighborhood kids away from the cul de sac. I’d sit in a chair on the driveway, and he’d keep them away from the street. Smartest, most “on duty” dog I ever had.
BTW, Aussie's are notorious for being 'velcro' dogs. They will go follow you everywhere, even into the bathroom.
We have a 5-mo. old Aussie.
It’s the most work I’ve ever done in my life. Holy jeebus does she have a lot of energy. Definitely herds the kids. Definitely nips and play bites constantly. Drives us crazy half the time. We love her, but like I said...a ton of work. And that’s with taking her to puppy classes, 3-4 walks a day, and playing with her in the back yard with a ball and frisbee. She never gets tired. Ever.
I’d also want to know why a 9 mo. is being made available. Something’s possibly not right there.
It’s the most work I’ve ever done in my life. Holy jeebus does she have a lot of energy. Definitely herds the kids. Definitely nips and play bites constantly. Drives us crazy half the time. We love her, but like I said...a ton of work. And that’s with taking her to puppy classes, 3-4 walks a day, and playing with her in the back yard with a ball and frisbee. She never gets tired. Ever.
I’d also want to know why a 9 mo. is being made available. Something’s possibly not right there.
Had one that lived to be 19. Amazing dog. The more you work with the dog the happier you and he will be. I swear I could have taught that dog anything.
The owner is the neighbor of my buddy, he says the guy is having to move off for work and that he is heartbroken having to give up the dog so that's a good sign. I have 18 acres so hopefully we can keep him exercised.
Sounds like the perfect situation. Get a flock of sheep and relax.
That is awesome hopefully you can get your son to work with him; if so it will be the best friend your son ever has. I don't recall mine ever barking much. He did herd everything which was great at the beach when my kids were young. Used play a game with him called little Travis Minor. Would get the dog all riled up and he would just run like crazy making move and jumping over everything.
I have a year old Baussie. It’s a mix between a border collie and Australian Shepherd. He’s of the blue Merle variety, so he has the sky blue eyes, long white/black/grey coat, etc. He’s an incredible dog, but very high strung. He needs to stay engaged. As long as you keep them busy, they’re great, but can annoy the hell out of you if you don’t. Mine was housebroken by the time he was 10-12 weeks old and learned to fetch with zero training. Very smart dogs. He follows me everywhere, but so does my chocolate lab so I’m used to that. With kids, he’d knock over my two year old niece when she’d run away from him when he was younger. Now, he just brings her toys to throw or play with. I haven’t seen a dog that can successfully run away from him and only his brothers/sisters can keep up. When they want to run, they get going! Great dogs, but be ready to stay busy.
My buddy has one. It is an ass hole. WAY too full of energy. Hasn't eaten his kids or anything, but barks like a son of a bitch (technically he is a son of a bitch).
I'm a major animal lover, but I want to kick this dog half the time I'm there.
It hasn't mellowed out in 7 years.
I'm a major animal lover, but I want to kick this dog half the time I'm there.
It hasn't mellowed out in 7 years.
Damn it Free. My daughter has one with the same problems. He is only 1.5yrs old so I thought there was hope that he would mellow out a bit. 7yrs? Thanks for being Debbie Downer.
We've had the dog about 3 weeks now and he is doing great! Only issues I need help with is he won't give the ball back when you throw it, and him pooping in the neighbor's yard!
Don't let it in the neighbor's yard.
Use tiny training treats. When he comes back, hold the treat out, say "drop," then he'll probably drop the ball for the treat. Lots of praise, "good drop!", and work towards randomizing when you give a treat.
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