 |
|
| Congratulations on your new Australian Shepherd Puppy! |
|
|
| CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPPY! |
|
| (reprinted here with Pam's permission) |
|
| You have chosen the Australian Shepherd to be your companion for the next 10 to 15 years. This is a commitment that, in order to be happy for both of you, will take some time and effort on your part, especially during the first few months of your puppy's life. The Aussie is bred primarily as a herding breed. The Australian Shepherd was developed to be a moderate sized dog that is an intelligent, all-purpose stock dog with great endurance. The Aussie, because of this herding instinct, is generally a more active dog that is easily trained, loyal and protective. Many Aussies are friendly with everyone, but as a breed tend to be cautious and reserved around strangers. Because of these tendencies, it is vital that the first-time Aussie owner realize the need to socialize and train their new friend. |
|
| Aussie puppies generally have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. You will need to be sure to provide your pup with a fenced area to run and play. He will need toys and things he can chew on, especially during the teething period from around 3 to 6 months of age. Keeping a puppy crated or confined to an extremely small area for hours on end can lead to destructive behavior such as digging and chewing out of boredom. Aussies need time to run, jump and rough-house. This is important for not only the mental development of your pup, but his physical development as well. |
|
| Your Aussie will require a certain amount of grooming. They require regular brushing and nail trimming. They have a softer, silkier type hair behind the ears that can tend to develop matts, so be sure to check behind the ears. They also have longer hair on the back of the front legs and "pants" on the back legs that will need to be brushed to prevent matts. Aussies have a thicker coat with more undercoat in the winter, especially if the dog spends more time outside. In the summer some Aussies go through a period of shedding where they lose a great deal of the exta undercoat. You will need to brush your dog more during this period of time to help this hair shed out and not matt. Start brushing and trimming your pup at an early age and they will learn to enjoy their grooming sessions! Check your pup over regularly for fleas and ticks. Fleas are the intermediate host for tapeworm and when swallowed by the dog can eventually infest them with tapeworm. Ticks can carry several different serious diseases, such as Lyme disease, which is transmitted by the bite of a tick. Also check inside the ears of your pup. If you see your pup shaking its head and scratching at its ears, it may have ear mites. When a dog has ear mites, its ears will generally have a dark brown, thick material encrusted around the ear canal. |
|
| Of course there are always exceptions, but an Aussie is generally not the type of dog that can be left in a backyard with a pat on the head now and then. Aussies, like any other breed of dog, if not properly socialized can become aggressive. Make sure your puppy is up-to-date on his vaccinations, and then start taking him for walks or places where he can meet new people and situations. Generally Aussie pups are outgoing and bounce and wiggle up to people, but if your pup tends to pull back and seem a bit shy, maybe even bark at strangers, it is especially important to socialize him. Bring along a bag of dog treats. If your pup trys to pull away from strangers, give that person a dog treat and have them bend down and offer the treat to the pup. When the pup takes the treat, praise him. Have the new person pet the pup and praise him. A well-socialized Aussie will still be a good watch dog. The difference is they will know when to be a watch dog and how to greet new people when they are invited into your home. |
|
| Begin basic obedience training with your pup as soon as possible. Start teaching him to come, sit, down and stay. Obedience training is not only important to help your dog be a better pet, but it can also be a life saver when a stray cat runs in front of him, and he takes off in hot pursuit right in front of an oncoming car! Consistency and patience are important in training your pup. Training your pup with praise and affection will give you a dog that does things for you because it wants to please you, rather than out of fear of punishment. If you are unsure of how to begin training your pup, there are puppy kindergarten type classes available that you and your pup can attend. Some are available through trainers and some are available through the Parks and Recreation services of your community. Most Aussies are easily trained and have a strong desire to please. If you decide to put your dog through higher levels of obedience training and trials, you will find the Aussie is generally a tough competitor. |
|
| A well-socialized, obedient Aussie will add to the enjoyment of your pet. This breed is so unique in its diversity and range of markings and color that people will love to stop you to ask about your dog. It's even more enjoyable when you can show them that this breed is not only beautiful and unique, but intelligent and highly trainable! |
|
| Copyright © 2000 - 2005 by the author and AfterHours Australian Shepherds. No reproduction of any kind, of any of the material on this site, is permitted without the written permission of AfterHours Australian Shepherds, or in the case of previously published articles, the indicated author. |
|
|
