Q&A for How to Train an Australian Shepherd

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How do I teach my puppy commands?

Ty Brown
Dog Trainer
Ty Brown is a Dog Behaviorist and Trainer and the Owner of Ty the Dog Guy, a business that provides dog training through digital resources (podcasts, web series, and online courses) along with in-person dog training. Ty has over 17 years of experience in dog training and specializes in both mitigating unruly pet behavior and service dog training. Ty has been awarded the "Best of State Award" for dog training in Utah ten times and his work has been featured in ABC, NBC, CBS, Spike TV, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

Ty Brown

Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

You'll be most successful if you keep a pack of treats on you at all times. That way, as soon as your puppy does something good, you can reward that behavior. It's also helpful to keep your puppy on a leash while you're training it so you can guide it to the behaviors you want it to do.

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Question

Are Australian Shepherds loyal?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes, Australian Shepherds are loyal dogs. Their working origins mean they automatically look to their owner for guidance. This makes for a bonded dog that is extremely loyal to a person they know and trust.

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Question

Are Australian Shepherds easy to train?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent dog. Reward-based training methods are ideal as the breed thrives on encouragement and praise for a job well done. This makes them highly rewarding to train as they love learning.

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Question

Do Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Australian Shepherds are descended from working dogs and at their happiest when active. Not only do they need plenty of exercise, but they also need space to roam and spend time off lead. If an Australian Shepherd doesn't get sufficient exercise, they are prone to weight gain and may develop bad habits such as barking or chewing.

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Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The Australian Shepherd is a delightful blend of enthusiasm, loyalty, and gentleness that makes for a great family dog. However, they do need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, so are best suited to active families that like spending time outdoors.

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Question

How do I stop my Australian shepherd from biting?

Community Answer

Correct the dog in a deep, strong, confident voice. Say it strongly, so they know you are the alpha.

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What if my dog is a psychopath?

Sarrah Souza

Community Answer

If your dog is acting in a way that can be dangerous, then you might want to consider professional help. If your dog got bitten by anything that is wild, look up how to spot rabies in animals, as it can be deadly to both animals and humans. Do not let children around the dog, and definitely do not leave it alone with other creatures. If you are in doubt, go to a professional. Try considering the breed, age, and treatment of the animal beforehand. Try a muzzle if needed. If all else fails, or if your dog has rabies, you may want to consider euthanasia. If you get bitten by a rabid animal, see a doctor IMMEDIATELY.

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Question

My 11-month-old Aussie will not come when outside. Any advice?

Community Answer

You may find some helpful tips in Train a Dog to Come .

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Question

How can I train my dog to come?

Linnie

Top Answerer

Feel free to check out our wikiHow on How to Train a Dog to Come . Australian Shepherds are an intelligent breed, so your dog should catch on quickly.

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Question

Can I train my Aussie to only herd sheep and not herd any other time?

Linnie

Top Answerer

If you teach your dog to herd , use commands, such as verbal or whistle commands, when you want them to herd. This way, they should only herd when they hear your commands.

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