Are you the proud owner of an Australian Shepherd? If so, you may be wondering how to train your Aussie. Australian Shepherds are a breed known for being intelligent and energetic.
They can make great pets, but they require plenty of training and exercise. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to train your Australian Shepherd!
How To Train An Australian Shepherd Puppy
If you have an Australian Shepherd puppy, you may be wondering how to start training them. The most important thing to remember when training a puppy is to be patient.
Puppies have short attention spans and will likely make mistakes. It is important to use positive reinforcement when training a puppy. This means rewarding them for good behavior and ignoring bad behavior.
One of the best ways to train an Australian Shepherd puppy is with obedience training. This type of training will teach your pup basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. You can use the below-mentioned methods to get started with training your Australian Shepherd.
Growth Stage – Before 16 Weeks
In this stage, you need to work on basics like – sit, stay, come when called, down. If your dog is not food motivated you can try using a toy as a reward. Training should be short and sweet in this stage – around five to ten minutes at a time.
Socialize Your Australian Shepherd Puppy
You should also start working on socialization during this stage. This means exposing your pup to different people, places, and experiences. Australian Shepherds are bred to work so they have a lot of energy. This is why it’s important to give them an outlet for their energy.
Housebreaking And Crate Train Your Australian Shepherd Puppy
You’ll need to start working on housebreaking and crate training. This is an important step in raising a well-behaved Australian Shepherd. When it comes to housebreaking, the key is to be consistent. You’ll need to take your pup out frequently – at least every two hours – and give them lots of opportunities to “go”.
Crate training is also important. Australian Shepherds are bred to work, and they need a job to do. A crate can provide your pup with a sense of security and a place to call their own. It’s a great way to keep them safe and out of trouble when you can’t supervise them.
Work On Basic Cues And Calls And Set Rules
Start with the basics – sit, stay, come, down. These are the cues that your pup will need to know in order to be a well-behaved dog. Once you’ve mastered these, you can move on to more advanced commands like “place” and “leave it”.
It’s also important to set rules for your pup from the start. Decide what you do and don’t want them to do, and be consistent with your commands. For example, if you don’t want your dog on the couch, make sure you never let them up there – not even once.
Teach Them The Basics first
You can’t expect your pup to be a perfect angel from the get-go. It takes time, patience, and consistency to train them. Start with basic commands and rules, and work your way up from there. With a little bit of effort, you’ll have a well-behaved Australian Shepherd in no time!
Puppy Stage – 16 Weeks To 6 Months
This is the best time to start training your Australian Shepherd. They’re at an age where they’re open to learning new things, and their attention span is at its peak. Australian shepherds should also be learning basic rules such as not jumping on people, not begging for food, and to walk nicely on a leash.
Perfect The Basics With Your Aussie
Your Aussie needs to have a solid foundation of obedience before you move on to more difficult tricks. This means that they should be able to respond to commands consistently, even when they’re distracted or not in the mood to listen.
Exercise Your Australian Shepherd Puppy
Aussies are an active breed, and their high energy levels can sometimes be overwhelming. It’s important to make sure your Aussie puppy is getting enough exercise, or they may become destructive.
A tired puppy is a good puppy, so take them on walks, runs, or hikes as often as you can. If you have a backyard, letting them run around and play fetch is a great way to tire them out.
Mentally Stimulate Your Australian Shepherd Puppy
In addition to physical exercise, it’s important to mentally stimulate your Aussie puppy. This can be done through interactive toys and games, such as puzzle toys that dispense treats.
Use Treats And Positive Reinforcement
When training your Australian Shepherd, it’s important to use positive reinforcement in the form of treats or praise. This will help them associate good behavior with something pleasant.
Be Patient And Have Plenty Of Practice
Training your Australian Shepherd will take time, patience, and plenty of practice sessions. But if you’re consistent with your training methods, you’ll eventually have a well-behaved dog that’s a joy to be around.
Consider Clicker Training With Your Australian Shepherd
Clicker training is a popular method of dog training that can be very effective. It involves using a small hand-held device that makes a clicking sound to mark desired behaviors.
Keep Training Sessions Short And Frequent
When training your Australian Shepherd, it’s important to keep the sessions short and frequent. This will help them stay focused and prevent them from getting bored or frustrated. So always start with just a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the duration as they start to catch on.
Conclusion
Training your Australian Shepherd can be a fun and rewarding experience. By using positive reinforcement, keeping training sessions short and frequent, and mixing things up, you’ll help them learn quickly while maintaining their enthusiasm.