We groom ours to a shorter hair every 3 months, shedding goes down by 95%. I LOVE their beautiful lushly coat, but I love not having to clean hair all over the house all the time. She actually loves shorter hair, specially in the summer and acts more energetic.
lol my 14 week aussie is watching this video with me and when you told Aspen to sit she thought you were talking to her and she walked up to my laptop and sat
One other interesting trait that many Aussies have is that they follow you everywhere in the house. We have two of them. If I get up to go up stairs they will follow me upstairs, I am currently sitting on a couch in a back room and one of my dogs is seated on a chair five feet from me and the other is sitting on the couch next to me. If I get up to go the kitchen, they will both get up and follow me into into the kitchen. I am never alone, which is fine. I enjoy being with them.
I have noticed this too. I have an 8 month old blue merle aussie and he is definitely a needy puppy. He follows me everywhere all of the time. When I'm doing work at my desk, he'll be napping at my feet. When I'm watching tv, he'll sit next to me and beg for him to be petted
I love the herding instinct. When gathered with friends outside, e.g. at a picnic, or barbecue, my old Sheltie used to walk around the perimeter nudging us gently and we'd unconsciously step in the direction she was pushing us until we stopped talking and realized that she'd once again herded us into a tight clump of people-sheep. Too funny.
I had a Red Merle. He was my buddy and bodyguard. He was hell on wheels when squirrels were in the yard. He was passed away because of thyroid cancer. I still miss him.
Great video! I have a 9 yo mini Aussie and he is the sweetest boy. I suspect the more intense herding behaviors are less notable in my pup - Wally - which perhaps is the case for most minis? Maybe they’re bred more for companionship than herding? But oh they are loyal. And so intuitive. Wally can’t stand any conflict or sadness in the family - most of all from me. If I cry he is there with concern. If anyone is rough housing too convincingly he puts himself in the middle and barks. My very most favorite thing is that he is always always making meaningful, intuitive eye contact with me. My sister has the most well behaved and friendly golden doodle - but I realized - I so crave that eye contact and the golden doodle just doesn’t have it! My Aussie/Wally can grow to love any good person, but he is only completely content if he’s got access to me. We got Wally 1 year before having our 1st of 3 kids, and while he has bonded with them, it’s nothing near the bond and joy he gets from time with me, and 2nd with my husband. I feel a different breed would naturally engage the kids more. But I couldn’t choose playfulness over the intuitive sensitivity and loyalty. Wally is 9 now and (finally) doesn’t wander quite so much, so he is allowed off leash (our back yard is fenced. We had leashed Wally when we were out front. Our street is not busy). . We spend countless hours out front with all the neighbors & their kids and Wally is my shadow. He follows at my heels everywhere I go. Always looking right into my eyes trying to read my mind every time I glance at him. And Wally has never nipped. Again I’d estimate Wally’s herding instincts are less pronounced. I grew up with a border collie and she was quite nippy! If Wally were younger I might consider getting 2 dogs - and Aussie for me. And maybe a golden doodle for everyone else! Ha! The Aussies can be very friendly with people they’ve had ample exposure to. But their heart really is only for one person, and maybe a distant second (hubby). One thing I would add to this video is that Aussies attach so so strongly to their person - it is vital to be certain of your commitment to the dog before adopting. Rehoming an Aussie would break their sweet doggy heart. I also wouldn’t recommend an Aussie to someone who is out of the home 8+ hours per day. This dog is not meant to be alone. It’s hard on them to be without their people for too long - and you will certainly have behavior problems if they are separated from you for too much of the day, consistently. Eg: getting into trash, eating carpets, running off at every opportunity. These dogs are max social. They need 1) a best friend 2) mental and physical stimulation 3) good naps - maybe that’s just Wally. Haha! He gets red eyes and is such an old man if he doesn’t get a good nights sleep and 2 naps a day. Sigh. Has anyone read this novel? Haha. Maybe I’m writing it for myself - to vent my Wally love. 😹
“To vent my Wally love.” Omg you are a women after my own heart. My Gemma girl is my best friend. I not only read your ‘novel’ but I relate profoundly. 💞
I just got a Miniature Aussie and I've been binge watching your videos and they have really helped me a lot, in terms of understanding the breed, characteristics, & etc. You are such an amazing person and I think people need to take time and understand what you were saying instead of lashing out, but unfortunately that's social media for you. Anyways, thank you again, your videos are very informative keep up the great work, new subbie.
My family is getting an Aussie in a couple of days and i am getting kind of scared of watching these videos and i keep hearing nipping. I am getting a mini. Any tips?
I got roped into a rescue situation for 2 6 week olds. They are 10 weeks old now. I have lost weight lost hair, shoes, won't house break, driving me crazy. And I couldn't be happier😍
je suis entièrement d'accord avec ce commentaire. Enfin une description intelligente, complète et sans concession de ce que représente la vie avec cette race de chiens, leurs extraordinaires compétences et capacités, mais aussi les exigences spécifiques de cette race. Un grand merci pour cette vidéo qui est vraiment la plus intelligente que j'aie vu. Si tous les gens qui souhaitent acquérir un berger australien avaient connaissance de ces réalités avant de devenir propriétaires, beaucoup moins de chiens seraient abandonnés, je pense. THANK YOU pour cette description exemplaire :-)))
People who want an Aussie should also know that standard size Australian Shepherds also vary in size! Some are a bit leaner while others are a bit bigger and can easily reach 65-70 lbs at a healthy weight.
Never , ever physically discipline an Australian Shepherd. You will lose any and all trust the dog has in you. You might as well give up if you lose their trust. I'm 65 yrs old and have owned 6 since the 1970s. They do wonderfully with hand signals. NEVER HIT. Or threaten with physical punishment. Best dogs ever.
My Aussie was awesome with hand signals never had a dog like that before her you could also tell her speak and she would bark loud then you tell her quiet whisper speak and she would bark real quiet cutest thing ever
Thats interesting . I had one once . He bit me so i bit him back . I got down to his level and we fought for 5min till we worked out who was the leader of the pack .After that we were best mates, we looked after each other. A kangaroo nearly drowned him i had to swim out to save him ,he prepaid me by alerting me to a tiger snake i was about to step on.
Aussies (spayed & neutered) actually blow coat in spring & fall. They shed less in the summer & winter months but do require daily brushing, if you can't handle any shedding at all. They need their coat blown (shedded out) twice a year.
I have owned six Australian Shepherd‘s and I am a couch potato. My Aussies (not Ozzie ‘s) have all adapted to my life style though. They sleep more than I do as in they nap all day. But when I’m ready to take them out for a walk it’s like flipping a switch and they are ready to rock ‘n’ roll. I can potty train my dogs in a day. The key to remember is because they are so smart once they get the hang of a task you need to move onto the next one. Keep their minds occupied when you are training. I had an Aussie female and enrolled her in the beginning obedience class. This class was taught by the obedience club in the next town. I was working full-time and did not have an hour to spend training every day as the trainer recommended. I would take her out 10 minutes before the class and by the time the class started she was good to go. I agree with you regarding vocalization. My current dog makes a growling sound. Three levels of growling. Either he is growling because he’s enjoying what he’s doing or what you’re doing to him, there is the growling that means he’s not happy, and then there’s the growling for back the heck off. I had one Australian Shepherd who would always snort like a pig when I would get home from work and he saw me.
My mini Australian was super easy to train. She was potty trained and crate trained within 1 to 3 months She learned so fast things like get some water, go to green garbage bin, going to mail box, etc... She knows how to go home. She knows her name. She was super super easy to train basic obedience and go to CGC. The one thing that I can’t get her to do right, is outside of our home, to heel. At home she does wonderful. But outside it’s a different game! I completely agree with you about stubborn. She is so stubborn. She wants to run the show, she is a princess, or a diva, or so! But, truly, she is very obedient, and so smart, it’s scary. I can teach her chemistry!!!! We are nuts about her.
Thank you for this. My Aussie is smart, stubborn and very loving. He was abused/neglected in his first home, I got him at 4 months old, and he has responded beautifully to a different home and care. He’s very skittish with people initially, but is becoming better socialized each day. He has some dog friends, likes men now if they approach him gently, and the house training is coming along well. I’ve learned to listen to him, and respond with walks, or picking him up when he’s afraid, or merely taking him outside for awhile. He is a lovely soul.
I watched your video two years ago and got my Mini Aussie 6 month ago. He brings me joy every day (I even posted videos of him). Thanks to your video i made this decision and I really dont regret it. Thank you! :)
l laughed when you said an Aussie was very smart but can find a way around your training. My "Baby Girl" loved to do tricks. She loved to roll over but she decided that the motion of spinning was the same movement as rolling over just standing up. It was so funny seeing her rollover some times and spin other times. After both forms of rolling over she was always so happy that she had done the trick I asked for. Love and miss her so much.
The two year thing -- AMEN! It's so funny you mention that...I have had three Aussies and have told many people about the first two years, that if you can get through that you're golden!
The 2 year thing is definitely true! Mine is 3 now, but those first couple of years were pretty intense. She's still a spazz, but overall she's calmed down a lot. I can't even remember the last time she's torn up anything.
Aussies are great but can be challenging as they’re so smart. I’ve had 2. Louis is more complicated than Doc was. I keep his mind occupied by teaching him tricks. I taught him to keep “his” cats from scratching the sofa. It’s now his job and he’s actually teaching the cats not to do it. He now herds (gently) cats. I taped him trying to teach our Dusty cat to play tug of war, smart, so smart. My sister’s Aussie came to her with aggression issues, he’s on prozac now and soo much better. Louis is now 4, he’s still in puppy phase but it’s okay. He’s a happy pup who loves everyone. He had an excited peeing issue but it’s very rare now. Your assessment is spot on, anyone who considers an Aussie needs to see it. Thank you for what you do to honestly promote this great breed.
Can’t believe people got upset/ offended before. You did a great job being honest and not too “breed snob” like others I’ve seen. Thank you for sharing 💜
Hoping to take the Aussie leap before the end of the year or early next year... I’m a dog person, whose owned all kids of breeds but the more videos I see and the more comments I read the more the Aussie reminds me of my German shepherd... Both are highly intelligent, both will always have the underlying herder instincts, both have to be challenged both physically and mentally to get the best version of the breed they can be.. Looking forward to getting one of these beautiful dogs! Great video!!
Love this video :) your old vid helped us figure out whether an aussie would be the right dog for us. That's about a year and a half ago now. And I'm so glad we got an Aussie. She can definitely still be a handful sometimes and is very vocal (but we love our little conversations). The training bit you talk about is soo true. They're way too smart! We always had a good laugh in puppyclass as she would always find ways around things. Even now with agility training she will just pretend to be a bit scared of the dogwalk (her eyes give it away tho), expecting me to come and lure her over it with some treats 🙈 Yeah, she's a great dog ♥️
I've had mine for almost 4 years and I feel like I've been really blessed. I never had pee problems, or skittish issues. We did socialize him from day one so that he wouldn't have that issue. I found him pretty easy to train, but I have to agree he is stubborn... I will say that getting a Aussie was and still is one of the best decisions I've ever made. He has brought me more joy in life than I ever thought possible. Thank you for making this video for those who are thinking of getting this AMAZING breed... I can't imagine ever having another breed again, yes my sweet has impacted me that much!
After losing our 12 year old last month heading out this week to pick up a 6 year old....our 4th in 48 years....Looking forward to training and getting him to be the best he can be
I’ve had Obi, my Aussie, and you couldn’t explained it any better. Mine is also very vocal, extremely attached and protective of the people he has attached him self too. I took 6 months to get him trained to except guests he didn’t know or readily see. Best video ever !
Thank you for this video! Your disclaimers are clearly out of love. As someone who is considering the breed, I appreciate being informed, this will ensure I make the right decision for my future dog and my family.
Our baby girl is almost one year old! I was so happy to hear the 2 year mark. One year to go. She is absolutely awesome. Definitely worth it if this does settle at the 2 year.
This is one of the best descriptions of an Aussie I have heard. No one else talks about how stubborn they can be or how vocal. I have had three and you describe them so well. They are a wonderful breed and each is different, but they are quite unique and not for everyone.
Having owned 2 Aussies over a 25 yr span, I can relate to some of your advice and I’m for informing future dog owners about this breed. What makes Aussies so interesting is that each dog is very intelligent and has its own personality. It’s almost like raising a child. You have to figure out what makes them tick and direct the training to the inherent personality of the dog. Some are alpha dogs, some are submissive. Some are laid back; others are ADD! It takes time and experience to be able to fully know this breed because of its complexity in personality. And I would love to know iof a shelter who has these dogs. I would be there in a New York second! Please let me know if any Aussies in a shelter. Thank you. Keep up the good work. Your dog is beautiful!
I’m looking to get an Aussie soon to train to be my mental health service dog. My last one pasted away 2 years ago. Thank you for the advice on what to consider before getting a new dog. To me, they’re more then just a pet.
I've enjoyed several of your videos. We adopted a 5 yo Aussie about a month ago. I find many of your comments to be true. If Robin is interested in doing something, she learns it immediately. Using the dog door has been an issue. If you hold the door up 0.01 inches, she'll come through the door. She seems to be reluctant to push the door with her nose. She's really stubborn. However, she's getting attached to me, and is likely to follow me wherever I go. Thanks for your videos. They have been very helpful. And, you are easy to look at too!
Youre spot on! We have a 1 year old Aussie. He is the BIGGEST cuddler in the world. This dog wants to merge with your soul. Hes the cutest thing ever. Crazy energy, but not in a bad way, just fun!
Thank you for the last few bits of advice. My Aussie is 9 months old now and she has been A LOT of work. Even though we have an amazing trainer, lots of support, plenty of attention, time and money she's still been very full on. It's only now that she's starting to mellow out (a tiny bit). She has taught me so much about patience and being persistent and consistent. I'm glad all our hard work is starting to pay off. I can see us having many wonderful years with her
I truly appreciate your video. My son picked up one at a flea market and I’m sure it’s not full blooded but it’s amazing. Seven weeks old and I see the stubbornness in himAnd he does make whining noise very much when he has to go outside or I get out of his eyesight. He loves laying in the tall grass and we definitely have to get him some toys. But now I know what to look forward to and I appreciate it so very much.
I'm so sorry that you have to explain yourself like this. I think that you do a wonderful job. Starting tomorrow I will be a new mini owner and I appreciate your knowledge, understanding, experience, and voice. Thanks.
this is one of the best honest videos about aussie's, i think the thing people forget about is that aussie's and collies where originaly working and herding dogs even tho show lines can effect their behavior so they don't always have the same urge to work most still want to herd things and if you don't farm u need to find ways to keep them entertained like agility tricks and hiking
My two year mark really was about 4 years for my Rafa! He was a tough customer and I really thing that added to our incomparable relationship! I lost my boy on November 13th and I know I'll never be the same!
Thank you for your video, we have a 7 month old female Aussie and I found your description and information very helpful and reassuring. She is everything you have described and has a very loving and adorable nature. I am happy to hear that with the right approach she will be an even better dog after the 2 year period. Thanks again for your honest and informative video.
Yes omg he is so stubborn when we ask him to do something. He barks all the time at every little thing. We got him bc his first owner wanted to get rid of him. He def had trauma’s. It was heartbreaking to watch. He never got any pets or didn’t wag his tail in the beginning. But after a while we saw him changing and it felt so good to know he was getting happier every day. I couldn’t miss him anymore. In september he has been here for one year already and he changed so much. ❤️
Aussies are AMAZING dogs. But yes, a disclaimer is needed with this breed. My girl is 1 1/2 years old and we’re just getting to the point where I think we’re going to have an incredible dog. I love her SO much but gosh how much energy has been needed to train her! Constant energy, the previous comments about their stamina are correct! Thank you for your videos which have been a godsend.
I have a 13 yr old Blue Merle. I just bought a little black tri boy for him to mentor before he gets any older and grumpier. He has been the best dog ever and I'm watching your videos for encouragement. I like your approach. You tell us everything that may happen but also that dogs are individuals like we are. Keep them coming and I want to see the one about the health concerns. Getting out my Uggs🐶 to protect my ankles and jeans🤗I totally remember those first two yrs😆
Way to represent one of the most beautiful dog breeds in the world .I believe your spirit animal is an Aussie I’ve always had herding dogs and I currently own two female Ausies littermates , I love my girls I can’t imagine life without them,they constantly bring me joy ,thank you
Spot on to everything!! I have a 10 year old Aussie and I am about to get another one in a few months. I agree- I'm willing to do the first two years a second time :).
I am four weeks away from my very first Aussie!! The wait is horrible. But I am so thankful for the wait because it has given me so much time to do my research and prepare for my girl. These videos are the best and biggest help!
I got my first Aussie, Zeus, about three months ago. In the past I have had a few other breeds including a labrador and I can definitely say that Aussies are one of the most intelligent breeds out there. I have been lucky with Zeus, he hasn't been stubborn during training, and has learned a ton of commands within a short time period. They also really do have sooooo much energy, Zeus has one or two hour long walks a day, run time outside, plus weekly day long play groups at a local dog daycare. Getting Zeus was one of the best decisions I have made so far, and I've absolutely fallen in love with the breed 😁
Your comments are spot on! Mine, Sailor’s Luck’ is now 5. Her first few years in our home, I was still working both in the military (Navy reserves) and as a federal wildlife law enforcement officer! Needless to say, she views me as the house “Alpha”....and my ridiculously erratic work schedule, made the “terrible twos” all the worse. I’m retired now, and she is great - we hike and run together....4-5 times a week.....plus we have her in “dog daycare” twice a week to socialize with other canines. I highly recommend a daycare program for Aussies....to mitigate the dog aggression issue....and to give the household a break! Though in all honesty, as soon as she leaves for daycare on Tuesdays and Thursdays, (as she did today) I immediately miss her! To mitigate chewing issues / boredom.....I make her “puzzles” whereby I put a treat or chewie in a cardboard tube (paper towel or TP tubes), squeeze it into another tube, folding the ends, and squeezing it yet into another tube,,, all go into layers of newspaper....and then into a small box or paper bag! She absolutely goes nuts....and it is amazing how she figures out how to get at that treat! Then....once the treat is consumed, she is so relaxed. Amazing, amazing dogs, they most definitely are!
I have 4 Aussies and they are such a good dogs to me! My oldest is the only one with some type of allergies issues besides that I do not have any health issues with any of them. They play a lot with each other. It is a challenge to watch TV when they want to play right in front of it. I have to pause the program and enjoy watching them play or join them. They are a velcro with me, I cannot make a step without being surrounded by them. I love them so much.
i have a mini aussie named fern and she is perfect. she was super easy to potty train, super easy to learn commands and when not to do something. she’s a super good listener and the sweetest girl. i do agree that she is very energetic and needs to exercise every day. i often play with her with toys and she does tend to get aggressive and nippie but she will quickly turn around and be sweet again. we have also noticed that she is very food driven and likes to follow us around, especially if we have food. great dog!! also we have noticed that our dog loves to chew on bones, they can keep her occupied for hours!
Very good video. Very accurate description of a standard Aussie. Thank you for caring and having the intention of preparing people and setting expectations. Hopefully videos like these will help people make wiser choices when choosing a family pet
You are spot on about the peeing. Mine would pee every time I came home and right around the 2 year mark he got hit by a car and damaged hps leg. I nursed him back and he calmed down and became an amazing dog. Sadly I knew I could not give him the energy he needed, ( my kids handled that but I got divorced) so I found another loving home for him with another dog to play with and keep him happy! Thank you for the vid. :)
The point you made about high energy so true! We are very active with our Aussie, but even at some points we aren’t able to keep up with her. We have a kitten who is about two months older than her, they are best friends and it helps output her energy so much!
Perfect size dog. Not huge but not stepping on them. So smart. They gather information without training. I could not stand to scolled mine as if she thought she did something worng her chin would hit the ground eye browns scrunch until you said 'Its OK" at which she was back to her happy self.
Wonderful video & very spot on! Every single day I am so extremely grateful for my miny aussie, Misfit 😊 She never stops amazing me with her smarts & loyalty ❤
This sounds exactly like our mini Aussie. He has all the pros and cons you describe. He's almost two years old and he's finally showing signs that all our dog obedience classes had purpose. All the vocalizing is now a bit more temperate. I think we have bonded more with him (if that's possible) than our previous dogs because he has taken more work. It has been a challenge and adventure but well worth it. He's family!!
Your description of Aspen sounds so much like my girl, Kash (Kashmir). She nips, is vocal, omg so stubborn and smart. She shows a little temper when I say no (gently though), and seems even more doggone determined to do what I said no to, even with a devilish little smirk from her and a certain glint in her eyes.. She is almost 11 wks now and the last few days have been a little rough for me. I am just crazy about her, and so pleased that I have come across this special video. You are quite darling in your ways and well, Aspen is just a doll. Thanks for your help, It means so much to me that I can relate to your videos. HugZ
This is pretty spot on, especially for aussies that come from “working” lines. You may find less intense qualities (nipping, barking, excess energy) in “show” line aussies. Obviously that’s from reputable long standing breeders that breed for appearance and lower energy.
I think you're pretty spot on! I have 3 standards ranging from 1 year to 6 years.. I would tell anyone looking to get one... just go ahead and invest in lint rollers because they do shed like crazy! My females are timid at first like you described aspen.. They also both would pee uncontrollably if they were excited or scared. Kya outgrew it but Belle still has issues. None of mine are "normal" lol but it does seem like a light bulb comes on somewhere between 1.5year and 2 years old. They go from being crazy to the best dogs ever.
I don't have an Aussie, but I've had 3 border collies. They are both herding breeds, but are different in many ways. My old dog, Tess, had almost the exact same markings as your dog. The little brown "eyebrow" markings are adorable! I will always have a s off spit for red white and black tri colors.
My Diesel is standard Aussie. So smart. Understand what makes them tic . Full of energy, and always trying to understand. She is great with people, good with other dogs when not on leash, remembers others and my friends 100%. You have to be firm with and Aussie. So once she knows you’re the Alpha ~ no issues . Mine whines when she does get her way, but never barking, unless she see danger in her eyes. Nipping, ya but not a huge deal. They never hurt... but you ,can train out. Diesel loves swimming in the ocean for an hour, but skiddish for a 2 minute shower 😂. Have own 4 Aussies. A real dog, faithful , funny,, lovable. Great video. .she has eaten about 10 ear bugs of mine . She figured out ear buds means less attention for her 😅
Very informative. I have two Aussies. One mini one toy; my mini is 14 months; amazing boy!! But SO stubborn. But he's the sweetest boy. Very mellow, has been since got him. But does have some strong herding instincts. My toy (my mini's half sister) who is deaf (who we took in after our breeder reached out to us for a special home for her); is the complete opposite. She's super high energy, and outsmarts us.
Sarah Ryder I agree. I have a male toy and a female mini. My male is so mellow and loving my female is more independent but still loving and she is not so mellow. She IS In the first yeas almost two so she is just starting to show true colors. I think my two years with her may be a bit delayed. As her previous owners were unable to keep her due to the first two years. She is learning trust for humans still.
I have a mini Aussie (Diesel). He’s never nipped at any of our kids or other animals, but he does try to herd everyone! We have found him to be fairly easy to train with treats. He is extremely motivated to please his people. Our only issue had been his attitude with new people. Mailman comes to the door, Diesel will run to the door barking and growling like a maniac. It scares the heck out of strangers. However, when he does actually get to people he doesn’t know, he has never bitten or acted out any aggressive behavior. He just sort of melts as soon as a new person talks to him or pets him. We’ve socialized him since day one and he’s great with all of our family and friends, but haven’t been able to get rid of the barking and growling when someone he doesn’t know approaches us. He’s an amazing and super sweet dog. We have 5 kids who were between the ages of 2-11 when we brought Diesel home nearly 6 years ago. He loves and plays with them, BUT I never allow him to be with other people’s children unsupervised. His drive to protect “his people” is so strong that I’ve seen him react aggressively to seeing other children wrestle or especially when they yell (like all kids do) around ours. Overall, these are wonderful family pets and I can’t imagine my family without our mini aussie!
I just got a 7 week old Aussie. I love her and she is amazing! Smartest dog I have ever had. At only 7 weeks she sits, Lays down, and knows when to come when I call her. I just gave her the first Vaccine she needed. She is always excited and can’t wait to go out. I was recommended to not let her go out until she is 12 weeks old at least. Any suggestions or tips that you guys can help me with?
Wow, I guess that disclaimer seriously did a good job at keeping the haters at bay! I hope you enjoy all these positive comments because you definitely deserve them. Great work! ;D
I have an 6 year old Aussie and because he has so much energy and really dislikes being at home we always leave the garden door open. Whenever he gets bored, when I clean the house or something, he goes out and watches me from the window. He‘s the cutest.
I have an AussieDor. Part lab, part aussie. This video has given me a lot of hope. I am on my first workig dog, before this I had toy Pekes for almost seventeen years. This dog bites me constantly and needs so much attention. I got her because i want to get into agility but then suddenly needed cervical surgery so when she was a puppy I had to have her boarded at a friend's home and I was in the hospital two weeks. I hired someone to walk her once I was home but it feels like she is so out of control and almost angry at me for being gone. I feel like I missed a crucial window with her. She is four and a half months now and so smart but I'm on weight restrictions and other restrictions for now and I can't play the way I want to. So this video makes me believe that this is somewhat normal behavior and not acting out from abandonment. Thank you.
I wanted an Aussie because I wanted to get more active. What I didn’t realize was he was already going to have a ton to do with my other dogs and my three boys. His energy level has been downright manageable. I think he might be what you mentioned very far removed from the herding lines. I think I stumbled into a “companion line”
For some reason most of the characteristics fit my golden retriever. She is super smart, but stubborn. She doesn’t want to do what you tell her to do. It took about 2 years for her to calm down. I’m about to adopt a mixed Aussie and I think it will be a perfect fit
Omg! This is my boy Riddler 100% when she talked about them being stubborn! 😂and being so smart they try to work around what you want! I have 2 pure Aussies and a rescue! Aldi a blood hound
That Crazy Dog Lady I like to tell people that my Spencer understands all of my commands, except that he considers them to be suggestions until he hears them firmly for a third time.
Thank you for the information we just got a mini aussie and he is a handfull. You stated it will take 2 yrs to get trained where you want them to be. WOW I pray I have the energy and patience for that.
Yes, yes and yes. This is a wonderful description. I feel like you’re describing my Aussie to a T. My pup is super intelligent and needs lots of mental exercise. She LOVES to play “find it” with treats and toys around the house! It’s one of her favorite games. I show her the toy, let her sniff it and then tell her to stay while I hide it in another room. Then release her and tell her to find it. Her tail wags like crazy while she runs around sniffing everywhere until she finds it!
Totally agree with you! Shedding happens daily, we call spring and fall SUPER SHED. Wish I knew how to spin and card wool. I could put all this lovely fur to use! And I love your videos! We got our Connor at 8. He's full sized, and just the best dog we've ever had. He loves people, he loves dogs and cats, kids and baby's. He's 10 now and is having vision and hearing issues. Makes me so sad!
You know your stuff! This is important for people to know because their breed is demanding but so rewarding! My Ruby is the most special thing to happen to me (besides my two human children). I have never been so in love with an animal. She is high maintenance though!
Loved your video. For me July is 3 years and I am still having "some" difficulties. Aggression towards other dogs on walks is #1 on my list but I will NOT give up on my boy.
I adopted an 6 month old assuie ! Honestly had no idea what i was getting my self into. I was told just like you that they were easy to train 🤦🏻♀️. Two months later he is finally settled into his new home , we see a trainer once a month and he is doing great ! My Aussie took a min to warm up to me and has taken a lot of socialization but he’s starting to come around to new people as well. Our one saving grace is i live in a very active family so we can wear him out most days and he sleeps well threw the night. I wish i would have known more about the breed before i got him. I would have still chose him but would have been better prepared 😅
Abi is a half Aussie (and a half Lab) but I totally agree with what you are saying in this video, and I think it's very important for those who wish to have an Aussie as a family member. 6:40 -- Abi is smart so she always tries to find a shortcut... lol 7:58 -- Abi is not a barker but has a variety of vocal expressions! And oh yes, she all of the sudden barks REALLY LOUD once in a while and I jump off my chair!! 10:18 -- Abi is skittish as well... I adopted her at 4 m/o and she didn't have many experiences before hand. Overall, it's interesting to know Abi has a lot of similarities with Aspen! :)
This is one of the most honest videos on Aussies out there. Thank you for posting it! Any reputable breeder is going over these exact same points when screening potential buyers/adopters/owners as they also know this breed is not for everyone and they don’t want their puppies ending up in shelters, just as you pointed out. I have a 4 year old male Aussie who I am absolutely in love with. I don’t think I will ever own any other breed of dog until I’m too old and slow to keep up with them. They are absolutely wonderful dogs but yes, as you point out, are definitely not for everyone. Yes, it takes two years (sometimes longer with male dogs) of very consistent training and being a dominant trainer to get a nice dog, you can’t be lax for one second because as you point out, they are very smart, and if allowed to get away with something once, will do it again and walk all over you. Another thing in regards to their smarts and energy level . . . Yes, these dogs need to run, swim, jump and play a lot, they need to exert energy. If you do not live an active, outdoor lifestyle please do not consider getting an Aussie, you will end up hating your dog. If you spend the majority of the day away from your home due to work and social outings, please do not consider this breed, it is not fair to them. They thrive off of being with their owners as much as possible (called “Velcro” dogs for a reason). Besides physical activity, something else I have found, at least with mine, is they also need mental stimulation every day. They need to constantly be learning. I always try to do at least 15 minutes of “training” every day, of course this training needs to be changed up to keep it fresh and keep the dog interested. It’s amazing how this short amount of time of mental stimulation will actually tire an Aussie out, even more so than running for hours (yes, they will run all day, every day, they have incredible energy and stamina). You talked about your dog’s nervous behavior, this is also very true of some Aussies. I feel so lucky because mine does not have any of these weird fears but I know plenty of Aussies that do (with owners which are very experienced dog people). Sometimes it’s just bred into them, nothing one did wrong during training. I do feel finding a reputable breeder and really knowing the bloodlines of the dogs helps avoid many of these kinds of issues. When I was looking for a good breeder so many people I spoke to mentioned she always bred “sane dogs.” To people considering buying an Aussie, do your research ahead of time, don’t just dive into buying a puppy from a backyard breeder because it’s cute. Eventually that cute ball of fluff can grow up to have a whole slew of behavioral and health problems which could’ve easily been avoided through good breeding. Ask around, a great source of information is going to a local dog show. People who show dogs are the true dog enthusiasts, they know different lines of dogs and breeder contacts and they LOVE their dogs. Something else to note are there are “working line” Aussies which are even more high-drive and are not suited to pet homes, make sure you ask about this. After asking around and finding my breeder I went and visited her first to meet her and check out her dogs and kennel, you can get a good sense for someone and their dogs just by a face to face visit. A good breeder will not be afraid to show you their kennel and dogs. She did have me fill out an “application” before meeting her which basically asked about my lifestyle/activity, my past experience with dogs, what I expected from my dog (if I wanted to show or just a pet) and if I had adequate fencing, etc. I met her and her dogs and she “interviewed” me, which sounds harsh but it’s what every good breeder should do to make sure it’s an appropriate owner/home for not only the breed but individual dogs. After I passed the application and interview process she put me on her puppy list. A warning to people, most reputable breeders will hardly ever advertise their puppies as most of their liters will be spoken for well in advance of breeding. Be prepared to wait for several months for a good quality puppy. It’s worth the wait! I know so many people out there are against breeders but good breeders truly love their dogs and their breed and are selecting not only the best dogs, but the best owners they can find as well. I know my breeder knows every single puppy’s personality and hand picks the right puppy for the right owner (she does not allow buyers to pick their own puppies simply because they think one is more cute over another). This is so important to the long term success of a dog-owner team. A reputable breeder will also make you sign a contract basically stating that you will spay/neuter the dog (unless it is a show quality dog) and that you will provide it with appropriate healthcare, food, shelter, training and activity or the breeder can essentially repossess the dog. Again, this may seem harsh but it’s meant to protect the wellbeing of the dog. I still regularly keep in touch with my dog’s breeder and send her updates which she loves to hear. Good breeders want to know their dogs are doing well! As far as the health issues you mentioned here, yes, it’s good to be aware of these, but honestly Aussies are one of the healthiest purebred breeds out there. Aussie breeders and owners take this very seriously and there is even an organization which tracks the health of this specific breed to keep it that way. It’s called the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute if you want to check it out. This breed tends to live for a very long time because of general great health. Again, please know before getting an Aussie it is a long term commitment. Thanks so much for posting this video, I feel your honesty is not only going to save a lot of people unsuited to the breed from frustration but more importantly save a lot of dogs from being put in shelters. To those of you watching who are thinking of getting an Aussie, if you are the right personality and lifestyle match these are honestly the most wonderful dog you can ever own. Enjoy them!
Great video! I had a Border Collie and I recognize everything you talk about ;) I got here when I was 5, so my mom trained here. She did a good job. But still ours created new 'jobs' to do in the house. Like.. running to the curtains when we would open en close them. No big deal. But that is a thing you also need to be awear of. That (I think) Border ánd Aussies need to be stimulated al lot with 'jobs' , activities and trics. So they feel balanced and calm inside. They realy want to work for you and work hard. They like it. If you do not give them what they need they will give themselves 'jobs'. Not always the jobs that you would like them to do. So keep them very bussy ;) and they're gold!
i have an Aussie mix rescue dog I got at 9 weeks old and i find a lot of what you said is true shes stubborn smart and has a mind of her own but shes 10 now and energy level is still high but she has mellowed!
In your opinion, do you think that an Aussie would be a good service dog candidate? A service dog has a job to do, they need to be persistent, they have daily mental stimulation, but training starts from day 1. Meaning a service dog drops a lot of it’s natural behaviors when they are at work, strict training. Do you think an Australian Shepherd would excel at this kind of work?
Depends. I know that Aussies have been used as service dogs before. Some can be very skittish of new things, which would not be a great quality for a service animal. I guess it really just depends on the individual dog. Most have got amazing persistence and focus!
@@animalscholar I have had 2 Australian Shepherds for the past 22 yrs..1 at a time that is..But yes, you are right they are not all the same, but special dogs all around!! Like you said, after the 2 yr point..I think people get them without knowing what they are getting into..they are not a dog to have in an apartment..they need to run, or be exercised daily..They do get bored, and love to be with you..Whether you take them for a walk or a hike, play frisbee or ball..I had a farm..Wonderful place for an aussie..they are in their glory riding in a truck with you, or following you on horse back..the aussies have alot of energy a d stamina..I always wanted to put mine in agility.. But never did..As far as stomach issues that I heard someone say..Both of mine didnt have that problem..But they do not like strangers..they are very protective..yes, they are stubborn..But not in a bad way..Very easy to train..Now my first aussie at 12 yrs old got a Cancerous tumor on her heart. And lost her life too young..I miss her alot, she was a very vocal dog..almost human like, she would let me know, if she was out of water, or food, or even if she wanted out to go to the bathroom..I sure hated to lose her...
Thank you so much! We will be getting our Aussie in a few weeks and preparing now and this realllllllly helped a ton with mindset and prepare for the task of training and what problems we may face and how to overcome them! Thank you!
I really respect the lady in these videos. But I disagree with a few things. I have owned nothing but aussies since 1991. I LOVE the breed. Just wanted to give a little advice. Main thing is to build the dogs confidence, and to socialize. A confident dog is not skiddish. While this breed is generally more cautious than the average dog of any other breed, that is not the same thing as being skiddish. The tinkling of urine she was talking about, is a signal of submission. A lot of pups do this, until they get comfortable with their family. But usually it subsides pretty quickly. The other thing I wanted to say was all my aussies were very easy to train. I am an experienced trainer, so not sure if that has given me an advantage or not. But I have never found them to be stubborn during training. Usually they are so interested in the interaction, and starving for learning, like most young of any species, that they LOVE the training sessions. HOWEVER, I have noticed that every so often, the dog may get in their head, that they know better than you, and start to stop listening to your demands. Ignoring what you tell them. I believe this happens because they are so smart. And they know iT! lol When this happens, I just start having regulare training sessions again. Even though they are already fully trained. Its a reminder of who is in charge, without any real confrontation. These instances never last long. Especially once you learn to recognize what is happening. My first aussie, these times probably lasted a few days or so. Simply because I did not expect this to happen. And really didn't know what to do about it. Since then though, these times really only last for one "challenge". For as soon as my aussie displays behavior of not listening, I quickly remind them, I am the leader. It doesn't take much. They love you after all! They just need reassured, that you are still on duty.lol I am so happy for you and your new pup! You will not regret it! I just got my autistic grandson his first dog. A blue merle aussie named Marshal. And as always, he is the perfect dog! Peace!
My 1 1/2 year old Aussie is the perfect dog. Aside from being unbelievably skittish. Seriously she is scared of absolutely everything. Loud noises and especially kids. She is so sweet and smart and very very well behaved. Shockingly loyal and sticks by my side at all times. I will have Aussies for life.
good information. I've owned many herding breeds, and most of these behaviors are common to all. The 2 year thing is very common. I think one big thing is that the dog needs to be a constant part of your life. If the dog will be left alone for long periods of time, then I would really suggest not getting any herding breed. They really shine when they are are part of your everyday life.
I had a friend who had standard male blue Merle, and fell in love. I eventually got a standard blue Merle female which again sold me on Aussies. I now have a mini blue female. Love her. She is def an alpha, and I’m not able to be as active as I was before. And she can get mischievous if not able to burn off some of the energy. Also, my. old male GSD bit her in the head when she kept pestering him to play. Now, if dogs persist in getting in her face, she will let them know she doesn’t appreciate it. Still my fav. breed.
I Love your videos, I have an Australian shepherd her name is Luna she is tri-color, watching your videos I have been learning a lot.... thanks and keep doing more please .
Theyshed once a year ..starts in January and ends in December
🤣🤣🤣🤣👍😎🐶
We groom ours to a shorter hair every 3 months, shedding goes down by 95%. I LOVE their beautiful lushly coat, but I love not having to clean hair all over the house all the time. She actually loves shorter hair, specially in the summer and acts more energetic.
Males actually shed twice a year for the ladies
made me laugh out loud!
@@thayspritchard4833 what do you mean to a shorter hair? Trim it down? Do they have a double coat.
lol my 14 week aussie is watching this video with me and when you told Aspen to sit she thought you were talking to her and she walked up to my laptop and sat
Good dog!!
D3S
One other interesting trait that many Aussies have is that they follow you everywhere in the house. We have two of them. If I get up to go up stairs they will follow me upstairs, I am currently sitting on a couch in a back room and one of my dogs is seated on a chair five feet from me and the other is sitting on the couch next to me. If I get up to go the kitchen, they will both get up and follow me into into the kitchen. I am never alone, which is fine. I enjoy being with them.
John Dean ours does that too! She will follow you anywhere and lay down right behind you, so we always have to be careful not to trip over her.
They do have a nickname of "Velcro dog"! I have noticed the same with my puppy.
I've had 3 border collies and they do that too.
Dogs
I have noticed this too. I have an 8 month old blue merle aussie and he is definitely a needy puppy. He follows me everywhere all of the time. When I'm doing work at my desk, he'll be napping at my feet. When I'm watching tv, he'll sit next to me and beg for him to be petted
I love the herding instinct. When gathered with friends outside, e.g. at a picnic, or barbecue, my old Sheltie used to walk around the perimeter nudging us gently and we'd unconsciously step in the direction she was pushing us until we stopped talking and realized that she'd once again herded us into a tight clump of people-sheep. Too funny.
That's hilarious!
I had a Red Merle. He was my buddy and bodyguard. He was hell on wheels when squirrels were in the yard. He was passed away because of thyroid cancer. I still miss him.
Great video! I have a 9 yo mini Aussie and he is the sweetest boy. I suspect the more intense herding behaviors are less notable in my pup - Wally - which perhaps is the case for most minis? Maybe they’re bred more for companionship than herding? But oh they are loyal. And so intuitive. Wally can’t stand any conflict or sadness in the family - most of all from me. If I cry he is there with concern. If anyone is rough housing too convincingly he puts himself in the middle and barks. My very most favorite thing is that he is always always making meaningful, intuitive eye contact with me. My sister has the most well behaved and friendly golden doodle - but I realized - I so crave that eye contact and the golden doodle just doesn’t have it! My Aussie/Wally can grow to love any good person, but he is only completely content if he’s got access to me. We got Wally 1 year before having our 1st of 3 kids, and while he has bonded with them, it’s nothing near the bond and joy he gets from time with me, and 2nd with my husband. I feel a different breed would naturally engage the kids more. But I couldn’t choose playfulness over the intuitive sensitivity and loyalty. Wally is 9 now and (finally) doesn’t wander quite so much, so he is allowed off leash (our back yard is fenced. We had leashed Wally when we were out front. Our street is not busy). . We spend countless hours out front with all the neighbors & their kids and Wally is my shadow. He follows at my heels everywhere I go. Always looking right into my eyes trying to read my mind every time I glance at him. And Wally has never nipped. Again I’d estimate Wally’s herding instincts are less pronounced. I grew up with a border collie and she was quite nippy! If Wally were younger I might consider getting 2 dogs - and Aussie for me. And maybe a golden doodle for everyone else! Ha! The Aussies can be very friendly with people they’ve had ample exposure to. But their heart really is only for one person, and maybe a distant second (hubby). One thing I would add to this video is that Aussies attach so so strongly to their person - it is vital to be certain of your commitment to the dog before adopting. Rehoming an Aussie would break their sweet doggy heart. I also wouldn’t recommend an Aussie to someone who is out of the home 8+ hours per day. This dog is not meant to be alone. It’s hard on them to be without their people for too long - and you will certainly have behavior problems if they are separated from you for too much of the day, consistently. Eg: getting into trash, eating carpets, running off at every opportunity. These dogs are max social. They need 1) a best friend 2) mental and physical stimulation 3) good naps - maybe that’s just Wally. Haha! He gets red eyes and is such an old man if he doesn’t get a good nights sleep and 2 naps a day. Sigh. Has anyone read this novel? Haha. Maybe I’m writing it for myself - to vent my Wally love. 😹
I am getting a mini in a couple of weeks. Have you been seen any herding behavor?
Nice
“To vent my Wally love.” Omg you are a women after my own heart. My Gemma girl is my best friend. I not only read your ‘novel’ but I relate profoundly. 💞
'
I just got a Miniature Aussie and I've been binge watching your videos and they have really helped me a lot, in terms of understanding the breed, characteristics, & etc. You are such an amazing person and I think people need to take time and understand what you were saying instead of lashing out, but unfortunately that's social media for you. Anyways, thank you again, your videos are very informative keep up the great work, new subbie.
My Australian Shepherd had no trouble learning a command after showing her what I wanted a couple of times. She's highly intelligent, not stubborn.
My family is getting an Aussie in a couple of days and i am getting kind of scared of watching these videos and i keep hearing nipping. I am getting a mini. Any tips?
Well said.
2:49 is where vid starts
Thanks
Prince G you the g
ty for this. her intro was a drag
Thanks 🙏 💞💞💞❣️❣️💖💖💖💕💕💘💘💘💝💝💞💞💞
OMG !! Thank you 🙄
I got roped into a rescue situation for 2 6 week olds. They are 10 weeks old now. I have lost weight lost hair, shoes, won't house break, driving me crazy. And I couldn't be happier😍
😆 ❤
This is the most accurate description of Aussie's I've ever seen! Thank you for informing people!
je suis entièrement d'accord avec ce commentaire. Enfin une description intelligente, complète et sans concession de ce que représente la vie avec cette race de chiens, leurs extraordinaires compétences et capacités, mais aussi les exigences spécifiques de cette race.
Un grand merci pour cette vidéo qui est vraiment la plus intelligente que j'aie vu.
Si tous les gens qui souhaitent acquérir un berger australien avaient connaissance de ces réalités avant de devenir propriétaires, beaucoup moins de chiens seraient abandonnés, je pense.
THANK YOU pour cette description exemplaire :-)))
People who want an Aussie should also know that standard size Australian Shepherds also vary in size! Some are a bit leaner while others are a bit bigger and can easily reach 65-70 lbs at a healthy weight.
ruby manríquez haha yes mine is only 32 pounds and she’s fully grown. Huge variance
Mines Huge!!!
My boy is 2 yrs old and he's a very lean 50+ with room to grow :(
Cecilia Tamondong nothing wrong with that!
Maggie is 55 lbs. She is a standard
Never , ever physically discipline an Australian Shepherd. You will lose any and all trust the dog has in you. You might as well give up if you lose their trust. I'm 65 yrs old and have owned 6 since the 1970s. They do wonderfully with hand signals. NEVER HIT. Or threaten with physical punishment. Best dogs ever.
My Aussie was awesome with hand signals never had a dog like that before her you could also tell her speak and she would bark loud then you tell her quiet whisper speak and she would bark real quiet cutest thing ever
And you're right I never had to hit her just a Stern voice would break her heart
This is actually true with any breed of dog ... or any pet. Fear, intimidation or pain are not acceptable training methods.
Thats interesting . I had one once . He bit me so i bit him back . I got down to his level and we fought for 5min till we worked out who was the leader of the pack .After that we were best mates, we looked after each other. A kangaroo nearly drowned him i had to swim out to save him ,he prepaid me by alerting me to a tiger snake i was about to step on.
@@ginapolman4968 did you have to train her to speak? If I ever need it, I'd definitely look up how to.
Aussies (spayed & neutered) actually blow coat in spring & fall. They shed less in the summer & winter months but do require daily brushing, if you can't handle any shedding at all. They need their coat blown (shedded out) twice a year.
I have owned six Australian Shepherd‘s and I am a couch potato. My Aussies (not Ozzie ‘s) have all adapted to my life style though. They sleep more than I do as in they nap all day. But when I’m ready to take them out for a walk it’s like flipping a switch and they are ready to rock ‘n’ roll.
I can potty train my dogs in a day. The key to remember is because they are so smart once they get the hang of a task you need to move onto the next one. Keep their minds occupied when you are training. I had an Aussie female and enrolled her in the beginning obedience class. This class was taught by the obedience club in the next town. I was working full-time and did not have an hour to spend training every day as the trainer recommended. I would take her out 10 minutes before the class and by the time the class started she was good to go.
I agree with you regarding vocalization. My current dog makes a growling sound. Three levels of growling. Either he is growling because he’s enjoying what he’s doing or what you’re doing to him, there is the growling that means he’s not happy, and then there’s the growling for back the heck off. I had one Australian Shepherd who would always snort like a pig when I would get home from work and he saw me.
My mini Australian was super easy to train. She was potty trained and crate trained within 1 to 3 months
She learned so fast things like get some water, go to green garbage bin, going to mail box, etc...
She knows how to go home.
She knows her name.
She was super super easy to train basic obedience and go to CGC.
The one thing that I can’t get her to do right, is outside of our home, to heel.
At home she does wonderful. But outside it’s a different game!
I completely agree with you about stubborn.
She is so stubborn.
She wants to run the show, she is a princess, or a diva, or so!
But, truly, she is very obedient, and so smart, it’s scary. I can teach her chemistry!!!!
We are nuts about her.
Thank you for this. My Aussie is smart, stubborn and very loving. He was abused/neglected in his first home, I got him at 4 months old, and he has responded beautifully to a different home and care. He’s very skittish with people initially, but is becoming better socialized each day. He has some dog friends, likes men now if they approach him gently, and the house training is coming along well. I’ve learned to listen to him, and respond with walks, or picking him up when he’s afraid, or merely taking him outside for awhile. He is a lovely soul.
I watched your video two years ago and got my Mini Aussie 6 month ago. He brings me joy every day (I even posted videos of him).
Thanks to your video i made this decision and I really dont regret it. Thank you! :)
That's a really cute story! Your dog is fucking gorgeous
l laughed when you said an Aussie was very smart but can find a way around your training. My "Baby Girl" loved to do tricks. She loved to roll over but she decided that the motion of spinning was the same movement as rolling over just standing up. It was so funny seeing her rollover some times and spin other times. After both forms of rolling over she was always so happy that she had done the trick I asked for. Love and miss her so much.
The two year thing -- AMEN! It's so funny you mention that...I have had three Aussies and have told many people about the first two years, that if you can get through that you're golden!
The 2 year thing is definitely true! Mine is 3 now, but those first couple of years were pretty intense. She's still a spazz, but overall she's calmed down a lot. I can't even remember the last time she's torn up anything.
Terrible Twos for sure!
Just like my kids
Aussies are great but can be challenging as they’re so smart. I’ve had 2. Louis is more complicated than Doc was. I keep his mind occupied by teaching him tricks. I taught him to keep “his” cats from scratching the sofa. It’s now his job and he’s actually teaching the cats not to do it. He now herds (gently) cats. I taped him trying to teach our Dusty cat to play tug of war, smart, so smart. My sister’s Aussie came to her with aggression issues, he’s on prozac now and soo much better. Louis is now 4, he’s still in puppy phase but it’s okay. He’s a happy pup who loves everyone. He had an excited peeing issue but it’s very rare now. Your assessment is spot on, anyone who considers an Aussie needs to see it. Thank you for what you do to honestly promote this great breed.
I love how Aspen opened the door aw what a darling
Can’t believe people got upset/ offended before. You did a great job being honest and not too “breed snob” like others I’ve seen. Thank you for sharing 💜
Hoping to take the Aussie leap before the end of the year or early next year... I’m a dog person, whose owned all kids of breeds but the more videos I see and the more comments I read the more the Aussie reminds me of my German shepherd... Both are highly intelligent, both will always have the underlying herder instincts, both have to be challenged both physically and mentally to get the best version of the breed they can be.. Looking forward to getting one of these beautiful dogs! Great video!!
Love this video :) your old vid helped us figure out whether an aussie would be the right dog for us. That's about a year and a half ago now. And I'm so glad we got an Aussie.
She can definitely still be a handful sometimes and is very vocal (but we love our little conversations). The training bit you talk about is soo true. They're way too smart! We always had a good laugh in puppyclass as she would always find ways around things. Even now with agility training she will just pretend to be a bit scared of the dogwalk (her eyes give it away tho), expecting me to come and lure her over it with some treats 🙈 Yeah, she's a great dog ♥️
I've had mine for almost 4 years and I feel like I've been really blessed. I never had pee problems, or skittish issues. We did socialize him from day one so that he wouldn't have that issue. I found him pretty easy to train, but I have to agree he is stubborn... I will say that getting a Aussie was and still is one of the best decisions I've ever made. He has brought me more joy in life than I ever thought possible. Thank you for making this video for those who are thinking of getting this AMAZING breed... I can't imagine ever having another breed again, yes my sweet has impacted me that much!
After losing our 12 year old last month heading out this week to pick up a 6 year old....our 4th in 48 years....Looking forward to training and getting him to be the best he can be
I’ve had Obi, my Aussie, and you couldn’t explained it any better. Mine is also very vocal, extremely attached and protective of the people he has attached him self too. I took 6 months to get him trained to except guests he didn’t know or readily see. Best video ever !
Thank you for this video! Your disclaimers are clearly out of love. As someone who is considering the breed, I appreciate being informed, this will ensure I make the right decision for my future dog and my family.
This is the best and most clever video I have ever seen on Austalian sheperd. THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!! I wish all the best for you and Aspen !
Our baby girl is almost one year old! I was so happy to hear the 2 year mark. One year to go. She is absolutely awesome. Definitely worth it if this does settle at the 2 year.
Very helpful, thank you!
We need videos that tell the truth, not gloss over the hard parts and focus on what's good.
I totally agree.
This is one of the best descriptions of an Aussie I have heard. No one else talks about how stubborn they can be or how vocal. I have had three and you describe them so well. They are a wonderful breed and each is different, but they are quite unique and not for everyone.
Having owned 2 Aussies over a 25 yr span, I can relate to some of your advice and I’m for informing future dog owners about this breed. What makes Aussies so interesting is that each dog is very intelligent and has its own personality. It’s almost like raising a child. You have to figure out what makes them tick and direct the training to the inherent personality of the dog. Some are alpha dogs, some are submissive. Some are laid back; others are ADD! It takes time and experience to be able to fully know this breed because of its complexity in personality. And I would love to know iof a shelter who has these dogs. I would be there in a New York second! Please let me know if any Aussies in a shelter. Thank you. Keep up the good work. Your dog is beautiful!
I’m looking to get an Aussie soon to train to be my mental health service dog. My last one pasted away 2 years ago. Thank you for the advice on what to consider before getting a new dog. To me, they’re more then just a pet.
I've enjoyed several of your videos. We adopted a 5 yo Aussie about a month ago. I find many of your comments to be true. If Robin is interested in doing something, she learns it immediately. Using the dog door has been an issue. If you hold the door up 0.01 inches, she'll come through the door. She seems to be reluctant to push the door with her nose. She's really stubborn. However, she's getting attached to me, and is likely to follow me wherever I go. Thanks for your videos. They have been very helpful. And, you are easy to look at too!
Youre spot on! We have a 1 year old Aussie. He is the BIGGEST cuddler in the world. This dog wants to merge with your soul. Hes the cutest thing ever. Crazy energy, but not in a bad way, just fun!
Thank you for the last few bits of advice. My Aussie is 9 months old now and she has been A LOT of work. Even though we have an amazing trainer, lots of support, plenty of attention, time and money she's still been very full on. It's only now that she's starting to mellow out (a tiny bit). She has taught me so much about patience and being persistent and consistent. I'm glad all our hard work is starting to pay off. I can see us having many wonderful years with her
I truly appreciate your video. My son picked up one at a flea market and I’m sure it’s not full blooded but it’s amazing. Seven weeks old and I see the stubbornness in himAnd he does make whining noise very much when he has to go outside or I get out of his eyesight. He loves laying in the tall grass and we definitely have to get him some toys. But now I know what to look forward to and I appreciate it so very much.
Thank you for the information. I have adopted a 5month old Aussie and this helps me a lot.
I'm so sorry that you have to explain yourself like this. I think that you do a wonderful job. Starting tomorrow I will be a new mini owner and I appreciate your knowledge, understanding, experience, and voice. Thanks.
this is one of the best honest videos about aussie's, i think the thing people forget about is that aussie's and collies where originaly working and herding dogs even tho show lines can effect their behavior so they don't always have the same urge to work most still want to herd things and if you don't farm u need to find ways to keep them entertained like agility tricks and hiking
My two year mark really was about 4 years for my Rafa! He was a tough customer and I really thing that added to our incomparable relationship! I lost my boy on November 13th and I know I'll never be the same!
Thank you for your video, we have a 7 month old female Aussie and
I found your description and information very helpful and reassuring. She is everything you have described and has a very loving and adorable nature. I am happy to hear that with the right approach she will be an even better dog after the 2 year period. Thanks again for your honest and informative video.
Yes omg he is so stubborn when we ask him to do something. He barks all the time at every little thing. We got him bc his first owner wanted to get rid of him. He def had trauma’s. It was heartbreaking to watch. He never got any pets or didn’t wag his tail in the beginning. But after a while we saw him changing and it felt so good to know he was getting happier every day. I couldn’t miss him anymore. In september he has been here for one year already and he changed so much. ❤️
Aussies are AMAZING dogs. But yes, a disclaimer is needed with this breed. My girl is 1 1/2 years old and we’re just getting to the point where I think we’re going to have an incredible dog. I love her SO much but gosh how much energy has been needed to train her! Constant energy, the previous comments about their stamina are correct! Thank you for your videos which have been a godsend.
I have a 13 yr old Blue Merle. I just bought a little black tri boy for him to mentor before he gets any older and grumpier. He has been the best dog ever and I'm watching your videos for encouragement. I like your approach. You tell us everything that may happen but also that dogs are individuals like we are.
Keep them coming and I want to see the one about the health concerns.
Getting out my Uggs🐶 to protect my ankles and jeans🤗I totally remember those first two yrs😆
Way to represent one of the most beautiful dog breeds in the world .I believe your spirit animal is an Aussie I’ve always had herding dogs and I currently own two female Ausies littermates , I love my girls I can’t imagine life without them,they constantly bring me joy ,thank you
Spot on to everything!! I have a 10 year old Aussie and I am about to get another one in a few months. I agree- I'm willing to do the first two years a second time :).
I am four
weeks away from my very first Aussie!! The wait is horrible. But I am so thankful for the wait because it has given me so much time to do my research and prepare for my girl. These videos are the best and biggest help!
I got my first Aussie, Zeus, about three months ago. In the past I have had a few other breeds including a labrador and I can definitely say that Aussies are one of the most intelligent breeds out there. I have been lucky with Zeus, he hasn't been stubborn during training, and has learned a ton of commands within a short time period. They also really do have sooooo much energy, Zeus has one or two hour long walks a day, run time outside, plus weekly day long play groups at a local dog daycare. Getting Zeus was one of the best decisions I have made so far, and I've absolutely fallen in love with the breed 😁
I watched the first video on this subject before I got my Aussie. Really helped me decide. Love my four year old Aussie. Thanks for your videos
fantastic video especially for someone who used to raise Aussies. Excellent information you shared about your adventures with Aspen.
Your comments are spot on! Mine, Sailor’s Luck’ is now 5. Her first few years in our home, I was still working both in the military (Navy reserves) and as a federal wildlife law enforcement officer! Needless to say, she views me as the house “Alpha”....and my ridiculously erratic work schedule, made the “terrible twos” all the worse. I’m retired now, and she is great - we hike and run together....4-5 times a week.....plus we have her in “dog daycare” twice a week to socialize with other canines. I highly recommend a daycare program for Aussies....to mitigate the dog aggression issue....and to give the household a break! Though in all honesty, as soon as she leaves for daycare on Tuesdays and Thursdays, (as she did today) I immediately miss her! To mitigate chewing issues / boredom.....I make her “puzzles” whereby I put a treat or chewie in a cardboard tube (paper towel or TP tubes), squeeze it into another tube, folding the ends, and squeezing it yet into another tube,,, all go into layers of newspaper....and then into a small box or paper bag! She absolutely goes nuts....and it is amazing how she figures out how to get at that treat! Then....once the treat is consumed, she is so relaxed. Amazing, amazing dogs, they most definitely are!
I have 4 Aussies and they are such a good dogs to me! My oldest is the only one with some type of allergies issues besides that I do not have any health issues with any of them. They play a lot with each other. It is a challenge to watch TV when they want to play right in front of it. I have to pause the program and enjoy watching them play or join them. They are a velcro with me, I cannot make a step without being surrounded by them. I love them so much.
i have a mini aussie named fern and she is perfect. she was super easy to potty train, super easy to learn commands and when not to do something. she’s a super good listener and the sweetest girl. i do agree that she is very energetic and needs to exercise every day. i often play with her with toys and she does tend to get aggressive and nippie but she will quickly turn around and be sweet again. we have also noticed that she is very food driven and likes to follow us around, especially if we have food. great dog!! also we have noticed that our dog loves to chew on bones, they can keep her occupied for hours!
Very good video. Very accurate description of a standard Aussie. Thank you for caring and having the intention of preparing people and setting expectations. Hopefully videos like these will help people make wiser choices when choosing a family pet
I love your Aussie talk video It’s very helpful as we are considering getting a young 2 yr old.
You are spot on about the peeing. Mine would pee every time I came home and right around the 2 year mark he got hit by a car and damaged hps leg. I nursed him back and he calmed down and became an amazing dog. Sadly I knew I could not give him the energy he needed, ( my kids handled that but I got divorced) so I found another loving home for him with another dog to play with and keep him happy! Thank you for the vid. :)
The point you made about high energy so true! We are very active with our Aussie, but even at some points we aren’t able to keep up with her. We have a kitten who is about two months older than her, they are best friends and it helps output her energy so much!
Perfect size dog. Not huge but not stepping on them. So smart. They gather information without training. I could not stand to scolled mine as if she thought she did something worng her chin would hit the ground eye browns scrunch until you said 'Its OK" at which she was back to her happy self.
This is fantastic. Thank you! I wish I could find this for all of the breeds I'm considering.
Wonderful video & very spot on! Every single day I am so extremely grateful for my miny aussie, Misfit 😊 She never stops amazing me with her smarts & loyalty ❤
This sounds exactly like our mini Aussie. He has all the pros and cons you describe. He's almost two years old and he's finally showing signs that all our dog obedience classes had purpose. All the vocalizing is now a bit more temperate. I think we have bonded more with him (if that's possible) than our previous dogs because he has taken more work. It has been a challenge and adventure but well worth it. He's family!!
Your description of Aspen sounds so much like my girl, Kash (Kashmir). She nips, is vocal, omg so stubborn and smart. She shows a little temper when I say no (gently though), and seems even more doggone determined to do what I said no to, even with a devilish little smirk from her and a certain glint in her eyes.. She is almost 11 wks now and the last few days have been a little rough for me. I am just crazy about her, and so pleased that I have come across this special video. You are quite darling in your ways and well, Aspen is just a doll. Thanks for your help, It means so much to me that I can relate to your videos. HugZ
This is pretty spot on, especially for aussies that come from “working” lines.
You may find less intense qualities (nipping, barking, excess energy) in “show” line aussies. Obviously that’s from reputable long standing breeders that breed for appearance and lower energy.
I think you're pretty spot on! I have 3 standards ranging from 1 year to 6 years.. I would tell anyone looking to get one... just go ahead and invest in lint rollers because they do shed like crazy! My females are timid at first like you described aspen.. They also both would pee uncontrollably if they were excited or scared. Kya outgrew it but Belle still has issues. None of mine are "normal" lol but it does seem like a light bulb comes on somewhere between 1.5year and 2 years old. They go from being crazy to the best dogs ever.
You 100% nailed it. Love our Aussie, turned our boring, lazy house into a rolling party.
I don't have an Aussie, but I've had 3 border collies. They are both herding breeds, but are different in many ways. My old dog, Tess, had almost the exact same markings as your dog. The little brown "eyebrow" markings are adorable! I will always have a s off spit for red white and black tri colors.
My Diesel is standard Aussie. So smart. Understand what makes them tic . Full of energy, and always trying to understand. She is great with people, good with other dogs when not on leash, remembers others and my friends 100%. You have to be firm with and Aussie. So once she knows you’re the Alpha ~ no issues . Mine whines when she does get her way, but never barking, unless she see danger in her eyes. Nipping, ya but not a huge deal. They never hurt... but you ,can train out. Diesel loves swimming in the ocean for an hour, but skiddish for a 2 minute shower 😂. Have own 4 Aussies. A real dog, faithful , funny,, lovable. Great video. .she has eaten about 10 ear bugs of mine . She figured out ear buds means less attention for her 😅
I just got a mini Aussie he's 3 I rescued him and I love him he hasn't had any training I appreciate this video ❤️ this helps me for his training
Very informative. I have two Aussies. One mini one toy; my mini is 14 months; amazing boy!! But SO stubborn. But he's the sweetest boy. Very mellow, has been since got him. But does have some strong herding instincts. My toy (my mini's half sister) who is deaf (who we took in after our breeder reached out to us for a special home for her); is the complete opposite. She's super high energy, and outsmarts us.
Sarah Ryder I agree. I have a male toy and a female mini. My male is so mellow and loving my female is more independent but still loving and she is not so mellow. She IS In the first yeas almost two so she is just starting to show true colors. I think my two years with her may be a bit delayed. As her previous owners were unable to keep her due to the first two years. She is learning trust for humans still.
I have a mini Aussie (Diesel). He’s never nipped at any of our kids or other animals, but he does try to herd everyone! We have found him to be fairly easy to train with treats. He is extremely motivated to please his people. Our only issue had been his attitude with new people. Mailman comes to the door, Diesel will run to the door barking and growling like a maniac. It scares the heck out of strangers. However, when he does actually get to people he doesn’t know, he has never bitten or acted out any aggressive behavior. He just sort of melts as soon as a new person talks to him or pets him. We’ve socialized him since day one and he’s great with all of our family and friends, but haven’t been able to get rid of the barking and growling when someone he doesn’t know approaches us. He’s an amazing and super sweet dog. We have 5 kids who were between the ages of 2-11 when we brought Diesel home nearly 6 years ago. He loves and plays with them, BUT I never allow him to be with other people’s children unsupervised. His drive to protect “his people” is so strong that I’ve seen him react aggressively to seeing other children wrestle or especially when they yell (like all kids do) around ours. Overall, these are wonderful family pets and I can’t imagine my family without our mini aussie!
I just got a 7 week old Aussie. I love her and she is amazing! Smartest dog I have ever had. At only 7 weeks she sits, Lays down, and knows when to come when I call her. I just gave her the first Vaccine she needed. She is always excited and can’t wait to go out. I was recommended to not let her go out until she is 12 weeks old at least.
Any suggestions or tips that you guys can help me with?
Wow, I guess that disclaimer seriously did a good job at keeping the haters at bay! I hope you enjoy all these positive comments because you definitely deserve them. Great work! ;D
I have an 6 year old Aussie and because he has so much energy and really dislikes being at home we always leave the garden door open. Whenever he gets bored, when I clean the house or something, he goes out and watches me from the window. He‘s the cutest.
I have an AussieDor. Part lab, part aussie. This video has given me a lot of hope. I am on my first workig dog, before this I had toy Pekes for almost seventeen years. This dog bites me constantly and needs so much attention. I got her because i want to get into agility but then suddenly needed cervical surgery so when she was a puppy I had to have her boarded at a friend's home and I was in the hospital two weeks. I hired someone to walk her once I was home but it feels like she is so out of control and almost angry at me for being gone. I feel like I missed a crucial window with her. She is four and a half months now and so smart but I'm on weight restrictions and other restrictions for now and I can't play the way I want to. So this video makes me believe that this is somewhat normal behavior and not acting out from abandonment. Thank you.
I wanted an Aussie because I wanted to get more active. What I didn’t realize was he was already going to have a ton to do with my other dogs and my three boys. His energy level has been downright manageable.
I think he might be what you mentioned very far removed from the herding lines. I think I stumbled into a “companion line”
For some reason most of the characteristics fit my golden retriever. She is super smart, but stubborn. She doesn’t want to do what you tell her to do. It took about 2 years for her to calm down. I’m about to adopt a mixed Aussie and I think it will be a perfect fit
I have a mini Aussie and he has all the herding behaviors. I love him and can definitely keep up with our daily runs.
Omg! This is my boy Riddler 100% when she talked about them being stubborn! 😂and being so smart they try to work around what you want! I have 2 pure Aussies and a rescue! Aldi a blood hound
That Crazy Dog Lady I like to tell people that my Spencer understands all of my commands, except that he considers them to be suggestions until he hears them firmly for a third time.
6@years
Matt Wund has 7
The two year thing is absolutely true! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Thank you for the information we just got a mini aussie and he is a handfull. You stated it will take 2 yrs to get trained where you want them to be. WOW I pray I have the energy and patience for that.
Yes, yes and yes. This is a wonderful description. I feel like you’re describing my Aussie to a T. My pup is super intelligent and needs lots of mental exercise. She LOVES to play “find it” with treats and toys around the house! It’s one of her favorite games. I show her the toy, let her sniff it and then tell her to stay while I hide it in another room. Then release her and tell her to find it. Her tail wags like crazy while she runs around sniffing everywhere until she finds it!
Totally agree with you! Shedding happens daily, we call spring and fall SUPER SHED. Wish I knew how to spin and card wool. I could put all this lovely fur to use! And I love your videos! We got our Connor at 8. He's full sized, and just the best dog we've ever had. He loves people, he loves dogs and cats, kids and baby's. He's 10 now and is having vision and hearing issues. Makes me so sad!
Thank you. They are a handful but wonderful if your willing to work!
You know your stuff! This is important for people to know because their breed is demanding but so rewarding! My Ruby is the most special thing to happen to me (besides my two human children). I have never been so in love with an animal. She is high maintenance though!
Loved your video. For me July is 3 years and I am still having "some" difficulties. Aggression towards other dogs on walks is #1 on my list but I will NOT give up on my boy.
I adopted an 6 month old assuie ! Honestly had no idea what i was getting my self into. I was told just like you that they were easy to train 🤦🏻♀️. Two months later he is finally settled into his new home , we see a trainer once a month and he is doing great ! My Aussie took a min to warm up to me and has taken a lot of socialization but he’s starting to come around to new people as well. Our one saving grace is i live in a very active family so we can wear him out most days and he sleeps well threw the night.
I wish i would have known more about the breed before i got him. I would have still chose him but would have been better prepared 😅
Abi is a half Aussie (and a half Lab) but I totally agree with what you are saying in this video, and I think it's very important for those who wish to have an Aussie as a family member.
6:40 -- Abi is smart so she always tries to find a shortcut... lol
7:58 -- Abi is not a barker but has a variety of vocal expressions! And oh yes, she all of the sudden barks REALLY LOUD once in a while and I jump off my chair!!
10:18 -- Abi is skittish as well... I adopted her at 4 m/o and she didn't have many experiences before hand.
Overall, it's interesting to know Abi has a lot of similarities with Aspen! :)
This is one of the most honest videos on Aussies out there. Thank you for posting it! Any reputable breeder is going over these exact same points when screening potential buyers/adopters/owners as they also know this breed is not for everyone and they don’t want their puppies ending up in shelters, just as you pointed out. I have a 4 year old male Aussie who I am absolutely in love with. I don’t think I will ever own any other breed of dog until I’m too old and slow to keep up with them.
They are absolutely wonderful dogs but yes, as you point out, are definitely not for everyone. Yes, it takes two years (sometimes longer with male dogs) of very consistent training and being a dominant trainer to get a nice dog, you can’t be lax for one second because as you point out, they are very smart, and if allowed to get away with something once, will do it again and walk all over you. Another thing in regards to their smarts and energy level . . . Yes, these dogs need to run, swim, jump and play a lot, they need to exert energy. If you do not live an active, outdoor lifestyle please do not consider getting an Aussie, you will end up hating your dog.
If you spend the majority of the day away from your home due to work and social outings, please do not consider this breed, it is not fair to them. They thrive off of being with their owners as much as possible (called “Velcro” dogs for a reason).
Besides physical activity, something else I have found, at least with mine, is they also need mental stimulation every day. They need to constantly be learning. I always try to do at least 15 minutes of “training” every day, of course this training needs to be changed up to keep it fresh and keep the dog interested. It’s amazing how this short amount of time of mental stimulation will actually tire an Aussie out, even more so than running for hours (yes, they will run all day, every day, they have incredible energy and stamina).
You talked about your dog’s nervous behavior, this is also very true of some Aussies. I feel so lucky because mine does not have any of these weird fears but I know plenty of Aussies that do (with owners which are very experienced dog people). Sometimes it’s just bred into them, nothing one did wrong during training. I do feel finding a reputable breeder and really knowing the bloodlines of the dogs helps avoid many of these kinds of issues. When I was looking for a good breeder so many people I spoke to mentioned she always bred “sane dogs.”
To people considering buying an Aussie, do your research ahead of time, don’t just dive into buying a puppy from a backyard breeder because it’s cute. Eventually that cute ball of fluff can grow up to have a whole slew of behavioral and health problems which could’ve easily been avoided through good breeding. Ask around, a great source of information is going to a local dog show. People who show dogs are the true dog enthusiasts, they know different lines of dogs and breeder contacts and they LOVE their dogs. Something else to note are there are “working line” Aussies which are even more high-drive and are not suited to pet homes, make sure you ask about this. After asking around and finding my breeder I went and visited her first to meet her and check out her dogs and kennel, you can get a good sense for someone and their dogs just by a face to face visit. A good breeder will not be afraid to show you their kennel and dogs. She did have me fill out an “application” before meeting her which basically asked about my lifestyle/activity, my past experience with dogs, what I expected from my dog (if I wanted to show or just a pet) and if I had adequate fencing, etc. I met her and her dogs and she “interviewed” me, which sounds harsh but it’s what every good breeder should do to make sure it’s an appropriate owner/home for not only the breed but individual dogs. After I passed the application and interview process she put me on her puppy list. A warning to people, most reputable breeders will hardly ever advertise their puppies as most of their liters will be spoken for well in advance of breeding. Be prepared to wait for several months for a good quality puppy. It’s worth the wait! I know so many people out there are against breeders but good breeders truly love their dogs and their breed and are selecting not only the best dogs, but the best owners they can find as well. I know my breeder knows every single puppy’s personality and hand picks the right puppy for the right owner (she does not allow buyers to pick their own puppies simply because they think one is more cute over another). This is so important to the long term success of a dog-owner team. A reputable breeder will also make you sign a contract basically stating that you will spay/neuter the dog (unless it is a show quality dog) and that you will provide it with appropriate healthcare, food, shelter, training and activity or the breeder can essentially repossess the dog. Again, this may seem harsh but it’s meant to protect the wellbeing of the dog. I still regularly keep in touch with my dog’s breeder and send her updates which she loves to hear. Good breeders want to know their dogs are doing well!
As far as the health issues you mentioned here, yes, it’s good to be aware of these, but honestly Aussies are one of the healthiest purebred breeds out there. Aussie breeders and owners take this very seriously and there is even an organization which tracks the health of this specific breed to keep it that way. It’s called the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute if you want to check it out. This breed tends to live for a very long time because of general great health. Again, please know before getting an Aussie it is a long term commitment.
Thanks so much for posting this video, I feel your honesty is not only going to save a lot of people unsuited to the breed from frustration but more importantly save a lot of dogs from being put in shelters. To those of you watching who are thinking of getting an Aussie, if you are the right personality and lifestyle match these are honestly the most wonderful dog you can ever own. Enjoy them!
Great video! I had a Border Collie and I recognize everything you talk about ;) I got here when I was 5, so my mom trained here. She did a good job. But still ours created new 'jobs' to do in the house. Like.. running to the curtains when we would open en close them. No big deal. But that is a thing you also need to be awear of. That (I think) Border ánd Aussies need to be stimulated al lot with 'jobs' , activities and trics. So they feel balanced and calm inside. They realy want to work for you and work hard. They like it. If you do not give them what they need they will give themselves 'jobs'. Not always the jobs that you would like them to do. So keep them very bussy ;) and they're gold!
i have an Aussie mix rescue dog I got at 9 weeks old and i find a lot of what you said is true shes stubborn smart and has a mind of her own but shes 10 now and energy level is still high but she has mellowed!
In your opinion, do you think that an Aussie would be a good service dog candidate? A service dog has a job to do, they need to be persistent, they have daily mental stimulation, but training starts from day 1. Meaning a service dog drops a lot of it’s natural behaviors when they are at work, strict training. Do you think an Australian Shepherd would excel at this kind of work?
Depends. I know that Aussies have been used as service dogs before. Some can be very skittish of new things, which would not be a great quality for a service animal. I guess it really just depends on the individual dog. Most have got amazing persistence and focus!
@@animalscholar I have had 2 Australian Shepherds for the past 22 yrs..1 at a time that is..But yes, you are right they are not all the same, but special dogs all around!! Like you said, after the 2 yr point..I think people get them without knowing what they are getting into..they are not a dog to have in an apartment..they need to run, or be exercised daily..They do get bored, and love to be with you..Whether you take them for a walk or a hike, play frisbee or ball..I had a farm..Wonderful place for an aussie..they are in their glory riding in a truck with you, or following you on horse back..the aussies have alot of energy a d stamina..I always wanted to put mine in agility.. But never did..As far as stomach issues that I heard someone say..Both of mine didnt have that problem..But they do not like strangers..they are very protective..yes, they are stubborn..But not in a bad way..Very easy to train..Now my first aussie at 12 yrs old got a Cancerous tumor on her heart. And lost her life too young..I miss her alot, she was a very vocal dog..almost human like, she would let me know, if she was out of water, or food, or even if she wanted out to go to the bathroom..I sure hated to lose her...
We have two mini Aussies. Wonderful loyal breed. Great honest video.
Thank you so much! We will be getting our Aussie in a few weeks and preparing now and this realllllllly helped a ton with mindset and prepare for the task of training and what problems we may face and how to overcome them! Thank you!
I really respect the lady in these videos. But I disagree with a few things. I have owned nothing but aussies since 1991. I LOVE the breed. Just wanted to give a little advice. Main thing is to build the dogs confidence, and to socialize. A confident dog is not skiddish. While this breed is generally more cautious than the average dog of any other breed, that is not the same thing as being skiddish. The tinkling of urine she was talking about, is a signal of submission. A lot of pups do this, until they get comfortable with their family. But usually it subsides pretty quickly. The other thing I wanted to say was all my aussies were very easy to train. I am an experienced trainer, so not sure if that has given me an advantage or not. But I have never found them to be stubborn during training. Usually they are so interested in the interaction, and starving for learning, like most young of any species, that they LOVE the training sessions. HOWEVER, I have noticed that every so often, the dog may get in their head, that they know better than you, and start to stop listening to your demands. Ignoring what you tell them. I believe this happens because they are so smart. And they know iT! lol When this happens, I just start having regulare training sessions again. Even though they are already fully trained. Its a reminder of who is in charge, without any real confrontation. These instances never last long. Especially once you learn to recognize what is happening. My first aussie, these times probably lasted a few days or so. Simply because I did not expect this to happen. And really didn't know what to do about it. Since then though, these times really only last for one "challenge". For as soon as my aussie displays behavior of not listening, I quickly remind them, I am the leader. It doesn't take much. They love you after all! They just need reassured, that you are still on duty.lol
I am so happy for you and your new pup! You will not regret it! I just got my autistic grandson his first dog. A blue merle aussie named Marshal. And as always, he is the perfect dog! Peace!
My 1 1/2 year old Aussie is the perfect dog. Aside from being unbelievably skittish. Seriously she is scared of absolutely everything. Loud noises and especially kids.
She is so sweet and smart and very very well behaved. Shockingly loyal and sticks by my side at all times. I will have Aussies for life.
good information. I've owned many herding breeds, and most of these behaviors are common to all. The 2 year thing is very common. I think one big thing is that the dog needs to be a constant part of your life. If the dog will be left alone for long periods of time, then I would really suggest not getting any herding breed. They really shine when they are are part of your everyday life.
I had a friend who had standard male blue Merle, and fell in love. I eventually got a standard blue Merle female which again sold me on Aussies. I now have a mini blue female. Love her. She is def an alpha, and I’m not able to be as active as I was before. And she can get mischievous if not able to burn off some of the energy. Also, my. old male GSD bit her in the head when she kept pestering him to play. Now, if dogs persist in getting in her face, she will let them know she doesn’t appreciate it. Still my fav. breed.
I Love your videos, I have an Australian shepherd her name is Luna she is tri-color, watching your videos I have been learning a lot.... thanks and keep doing more please .
Thanks! I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos.
I have an Aussie as well and get this, her name is Luna! How ironic! :3
Anna Marie Lopez awww
Thank you for your honest talk! We have a black tri Aussie as well.