What do you suppose is the biggest challenge in owning an Australian Shepherd?
Hands down, it’s keeping the dog mentally stimulated.
During a Purebred of Interest feature on the breed on Facebook, we asked participating owners and breeders this question, and to a person, it came down to making sure that an Aussie has a “job” to do, one that suits them, and that they love. Even during “off hours,” an Aussie will appreciate puzzle toys, hid and seek (for a toy), or anything that involves their owner, from frisbee and hiking to throwing a ball, and, of course, herding
Nancy Brunswick’s young Aussie working a puzzle
Failure to keep one step ahead of the dog can result in “the stare.” Translated, the look means, “Well, what are we going to do next?!”
Tia Guest’s Aussies giving her “the look”
The breed sometimes gets saddled with the unfair label of being “hyper,” but seasoned owners recognize this trait as high energy. It’s one thing that makes them so good at performance sports. Because they learn so quickly, training is generally not a problem, though some Australian Shepherds are highly attuned to their owner, and managing one’s own own stress level is critical so that the dog doesn’t worry, himself. This can be a real challenge.
An Aussie’s dedication to a job also requires an owner’s vigilance. These are physically tough dogs, and will often not reflect the severity of an injury or illness by their behavior. Put another way, an Aussie is a stoic.
If you own an Aussie, what recommendations do you have for dealing with with a high energy, wicked smart breed?
Image: Don’t Make Me Get Down Print by Judy Fischer Walton
This print is available here