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Training Your Australian Shepherd Doesn't Have To Be Difficult With These Tips

Whether starting with a puppy or older dog, consistency and positivity are the key when training your Australian Shepherd. Aussies love to learn, and you will love your well-trained Aussie.

If you have an Australian Shepherd you know just how incredibly smart they are! An Aussie mind is a terrible thing to waste. It's never too early to start with your puppy.

Teaching Australian Shepherds can be easier because of their high intelligence, but this also makes it a necessity. Start with your puppy and continue to consistenly develop skills as you move toward more and more advanced levels. It will be time well spent.

Some dogs are easier to teach than others but if you start early with your puppy and continue with a consistent program throughout life, your Australian Shepherd will be nothing short of amazing. Our ebook Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care helps you get started on the right track.

everydoghasastory / stock.adobe.com

Australian Shepherds are extremely intelligent and eager to learn.

Even if you begin with an older dog that you have gotten from an Aussie rescue organisation, for example, Aussies will take to learning new tricks very well. They are very bright and are happy to learn new things. Australian Shepherd training doesn't have to be difficult.

As they get older, especially during adolesence, Aussies can get to be a handful and may require some strict enforcement of rules. If you have laid the foundation and established all along that you are the boss (leader of the pack) you should get through this stage of teenage rebellion fairly smoothly.

You know about the Australian Shepherd's intelligence, but the Aussie has also been bred to control other animals. This trait is what makes them seek to assert authority and herd your cats, your kids and even you if you let them get away with it. This is also one of the primary reasons why it is essential to have a well trained Aussie.

Your Australian Shepherd's education should start as early as possible to avoid problems later. Right Levi! (Levi says, "Woof!")

Take A Positive Approach To Training Your Australian Shepherd

An Australian Shepherd that thinks it has a shot at becoming leader of the pack can become aggressive and anti-social. You must be not just a friend to your Aussie, but a respected leader that they look to for reassurance and guidance. Using any kind of physical punishment in an Australian Shepherd obedience program is to be avoided. Some confuse dog training with what I would consider abuse. There are many things that you can do to let your Aussie know who is in charge without resorting to physical means.

For example if your puppy has an "accident" on the carpet scolding and rubbing their nose in it is unacceptable and counter-productive. If anything people who do this should have their noses rubbed in it because it is their fault that they did not pay attention to the puppy's need to go outside.

Instead, you would simply continue to take them outside when they need to and praise them lavishly when they have done their business in the right place. Punishing them for going in the house will teach them that the act of going is what is wrong. They will not understand that you are punishing them for where they went. This could even backfire and cause them to sneak off and hide when they relieve themselves leaving you to discover surprise packages later.

Remember to have fun with your Aussie. It should always be a positive experience for both of you!

Continued...

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