Australian Shepherds

Aussies are loyal dogs, and they rarely run away. This characteristic means that they don’t require a dog collar for around the house or yard. It’s a good idea to get your dog chipped, purely for security reasons.

Putting a collar on you Aussie may irritate their skin. They have long hair that can catch under the collar creating irritation and dermatological issues, such as eczema. A collar will also create a separation in the flow of their coat, leaving a bad around the collar area.

If you take your Aussie to the park or public land, make sure they have a flea collar to prevent tick and flea infestation. Being that they have long hair, it’s difficult to spot or feel ticks attached to the surface of their skin. If you walk your dog in an area that requires a dog leash, choose a dog harness and a long, retractable lead. This lead lets your Aussie roam around at a distance from you without pulling.

This breed thrives in cold environments. This fact is good news for owners that live in the North-West, such as Oregon (another favorite state for Aussies.) Their long hair and undercoat insulate them from the wind and snow. Therefore, you don’t need a dog-jersey or heating collar.

Another good option for open spaces is a whistle tracker collar. This collar activates when you whistle for the dog, allowing you to pinpoint their location. However, Aussies are remarkably obedient, and they can hear at far distances, so they’ll come running back to you.

The easy-trainable nature of Aussies means that you should focus on visibility collars rather than restrictive collars. There’s no need for a choke chain or shock collar with this breed. Instead, purchase a reflective or high-visibility collar. These options enable you and other people to spot the dog from a distance. The high-visibility collar is a must for public land frequented by hunters.

Aussies have long hair, and they are active dogs that love to run and jump. In the peak of summer, they prefer the cool of shady areas during peak sun hours. Therefore, purchase a cooling collar for the hot summer days.

Australian shepherds are outdoor dogs. They prefer sleeping in the yard as opposed to inside the house. When they are puppies, they’re remarkably independent animals. For the first 6 to 8-months, you can keep them indoors in a soft bed or basket. Line the bed with pillows or a blanket and their hair will function as an overcoat.

If you have more than one Aussie, they can share the bed without fighting. The Australian Shepherd is a very social breed, and raising two or three Aussies is as easy as one. Aussies don’t require crating. They rarely exhibit any form of separation anxiety, and they are fine being left alone for the night.

When they reach adolescence, you can put them outside for the night. They prefer this sleeping arrangement. Aussies are light sleepers. They enjoy getting out of bed in the middle of the night and roaming around. They won’t howl, bark, or cry at the moon.

If you live in a warm area, an open basket is best. Baskets are more durable than beds, and they are easier to keep clean. A fabric bed isn’t the best option for outdoors. The fabric can become infested with parasites which are challenging to remove.

If you live in a colder part of the country, purchase your Aussie an outdoor dog bed. For areas with extreme cold, you may want to buy a heated dog bed that keeps them warm on winter evenings. As they age, Australian Shepherds may develop hip dysplasia. Therefore, if they have an elevated doghouse, you’ll need to purchase a dog ramp to help them reach the entrance.

Australian shepherds are natural herders. They prefer toys that offer active engagement. While they are perfectly happy chasing sticks and old tennis balls, the more you can do to provide excitement, the better.

Frisbees are an excellent toy for this breed. A Frisbee fly’s far, and it gives the Aussie a chance to reach their full speed. The Aussie is athletic, and they love to jump. A Frisbee offers them the opportunity to launch into the air and grab it. It’s easy to train your Aussie to return the Frisbee. They won’t try and hold onto it or wait for you to come to them to retrieve it.

Kong balls are also an excellent toy for this breed is the KONG KS2. Kong comes in a variety of styles. Our favorite is the multi-bounce toy. This odd-shaped ball bounces in different directions. This ball keeps your Aussie guessing, and they will have to shift direction as they chase it. The Kong makes for an ideal toy that brings out their herding nature as they pursue it and change course with breath-taking agility.

The Australian shepherd is relentless. They will never get tired, and they will keep bringing the ball back no matter how many times you throw it. As a bonus, you can fill the inside of the Kong ball its peanut butter, and they will spend hours licking it out. It’s a great way to keep them occupied and give you a break from throwing the ball.

If you don’t have the strength to throw a ball, purchase an automated ball-launcher like interactive ball launchers. This unit launches rubber balls into the air in different directions. It’s the ideal toy for a ball-hound that doesn’t give up.

Aussie puppies are also full of energy, but its best to avoid using toys that require them to jump. They may injure themselves and exasperate any hereditary joint injuries. Similarly, save their joints and stop throwing the ball and Frisbee when they enter their senior years.

At these stages of their life, purchase them chew toys like plushies or rope bones like benebone wishbone durable aggressive chewers. These toys keep them occupied. The Australian Shepherd isn’t a chewer, so you don’t have to worry about them tearing up your furniture when they are teething.

Grooming your Aussie is easy. They are gentle dogs, and they won’t put up a fight. However, its best to introduce them to water at an early age. Purchase an outdoor bath and dog shampoo like natural pet shampoo that has flea and tick resistance. Since Aussies love to be outdoors, they’re prone to picking up ticks and fleas. If you live in an area with dense tick populations, a tick and flea collar is a must.

Related: Flea and Tick Prevention

Bathe your dog at least once a month. This bathing schedule keeps the coat looking healthy with a lustrous shine. It’s best to use a dog conditioner product afterwards and the dog shampoo to help you untangle any matted hair.

The long hair and undercoat of this breed require reasonably regular maintenance to keep their coat looking top-notch. If you fail to maintain the fur, you can expect it to become matted and tangled. Aussies enjoy brushing. They will sit by your side while you complete the task and they don’t resist at all.

Use a long-bristled brush with stiff nylon bristles. Run the brush through their coat from the back of their neck to the beginning of their tail. After you’ve finished, make them stand and brush their hind legs. Then flip them over and gently take care of their chest and groin. If you strike a sensitive area, they will complain by reaching up to your hand with their mouth.

If you discover matted areas, you may need to cut them out with a pair of scissors. Be careful not to pull their hair as you cut it out. Once done, run over their fur using a brush glove. They will think you’re petting them and enjoy every minute of it.

Be careful brushing the lower back and rear legs of senior dogs. They may be sensitive to stress and pressure in this area due to weak joints.

Due to the sensitivity of Aussies ears, it’s best to let a professional groomer or the vet take care of their wax-build up. You can also use a groomer to trim their nails as dog nail clippers. Unless you know what you’re doing, you could damage the nail root and hurt your dog.