| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Citronella collar? | 11/11/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We have a 7-month aussie that enjoys chasing, cornering & nipping at our cat. On an aside, we have ...
A: An old stock dog trainer once told me that it was easier to teach an Aussie not to herd cats, ...
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| Housebreaking Issue | 11/11/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We have an 8 1/2 month toy aussie (he is 17 lbs) and I am having trouble with housebreaking. He ...
A: Most standard Aussies are house trained in 2-3 months. He may know that there is a preferred toilet ...
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| staying outside in cold weather | 11/8/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: i have a 2 year old minature australian shepherd and last winter, i kept it in the house at night.. ...
A: I don't understand why you would want to. Aussies are an affectionate breed that hates isolation, ...
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| biting for no apparent reason | 11/3/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I was playing ball with my dogs, in our back yard, and our aussie mix, suddenly, out of the blue, ...
A: Aussies can be "reserved" with strangers, and can act if they think someone is an "intruder" or ...
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| eye problem | 11/3/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: My 6 month old Aussie seems at times like his eye is in pain and then I notice it looks like it kind ...
A: This doesn't sound like allergies, although I certainly can't rule it out because I'm not a vet and ...
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| hard to remove feathers | 10/31/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have an Aussie who has feathers all over his body. After brushing him they are still there. I ...
A: Aussies and Mals are heavy shedders and you will probably never get *all* the hair out. However, ...
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| Running an Aussie | 10/27/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have a 10 month old Aussie. Is it too early to take him jogging or on the trails when I mountain ...
A: At your dog's age, if you are going for about 20-30 minutes of reasonable exercise, and your dog ...
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| nipping at faces | 10/26/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We have a mini Aussie and he is one and a half years old. He has almost an obsession with biting ...
A: My first advice is to stop making kissing noises, and stop blowing out candles in his presence. ...
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| Best time to neuter Aussie | 10/26/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I own an 8.5 month old Aussie male. He comes from old-school working bloodlines. I don't intend to ...
A: The main reason for allowing a dog to "grow out" is if you are going to show. Generally speaking, a ...
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| Trying to calm on leash... | 10/24/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have a 6-month Aussie who is a rescue dog with a lovely personality. I should mention that she has ...
A: Since I cannot see your dog, I can't say for sure what is happening, but I can tell you that many ...
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| barking | 10/19/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: My Aussie won't bark! Actually, she does bark, but only at other dogs if they go by our fenced ...
A: Consider yourself lucky:-) Aussies that get overly guardy can sometimes cross the line and not ...
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| Size of a four month old | 10/17/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have a four month old male aussie shepherd and recently took him to the vets to get his four month ...
A: There is no strict size standard for Aussies because the prime reason for breeding them was so that ...
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| Toy Australian Shepherds | 10/15/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: Do You know what the temperament is of a Toy Australian Shepherd?
A: No, because "toy Australian Shepherds" often aren't full Aussies at all. Unscrupulous breeders are ...
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| aggression | 10/15/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have an Australian Shepherd mix who's about 6 months old. She is most of the time pretty good ...
A: I absolutely think you should consult with a professional behaviorist in your area if you want to ...
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| aggression | 10/14/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have an Australian Shepherd mix who's about 6 months old. She is most of the time pretty good ...
A: It sounds as though she may be a "resource guarder." That means she is very guardy about ...
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| Invisible Fences? | 10/12/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have a 3 year old Aussie mix. I went with an aussie mix after months of breed deliberation and a ...
A: Aussies are one of those breeds that are often "one trial learners" = which is great if they learn ...
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| Aggressive Male | 9/28/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We have two 9 week old Aussies, Littermates. Our male is gradually becoming more aggressive both to ...
A: Most breeders would not sell litter mates to the same owner, which is why you don't see many ...
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| Ausie chases pets | 9/25/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have had a boarder collie in the past so i am use to high energy dogs. The poudn said he is three ...
A: Yes, you should worry. But, there is much you can do to prevent him from getting too pushy with the ...
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| Ausie chases pets | 9/23/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have had a boarder collie in the past so i am use to high energy dogs. The poudn said he is three ...
A: No, you aren't worrying too much - Aussies will make their own jobs up if you don't give them one, ...
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| Integrating our Aussie... | 9/21/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: Just over a week ago, we began fostering a 5-month old female Aussie that has some diminished sight. ...
A: Of course she ignores "Come" - she just isn't trained yet. Continue with class, and I would even ...
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| Aussie need more activity | 9/20/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I rescued a female 1 yr old from the pound about a year ago. She is what they call a "yellow". She ...
A: Perhaps she was kept in a yard by means of an electronic collar and underground fence. Sometimes, ...
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| Aussie teeth | 9/18/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We are currently fostering a 4-month old Aussie who has cataracts in both eyes. She does well ...
A: I'm not an expert in that area, but here's where you can find canine ophthalmologists who can give ...
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| Aussie hates the collar! | 8/2/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have an 8 month old male black tri aussie which is a velcro dog. I have tried several times since ...
A: Use food!!! When you are going to put the collar on, let him lap some cheez whiz off your fingers, ...
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| aussies fur | 8/1/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: first i do apologize for my rude behavior in my earlier question i would done this sooner but i ...
A: I appreciate your apology. At this point, I really think you should take your dog to a vet. Hair ...
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| Weight Question | 7/30/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I adopted a female Australian Shepherd/German Shepherd mix who was about 5 weeks old at the time. ...
A: Not being able to see the dog, I can't say. But, I can tell you how to check. Her condition should ...
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| aussie shedding vs. hair loss | 7/29/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We have an Australian Shepherd that is approximately 15 months old. I am trying to determine if his ...
A: Any time an Aussie displays excessive hair loss, I suggest asking the vet to do a complete thyroid ...
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| barking and chasing | 7/29/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I actually do not have an Australian Shepherd but have a Shetland Sheepdog, and there are ...
A: I don't advise anyone with herding breeds to use electric fencing. It causes the problem that you ...
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| nipping | 7/27/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have an aussie - 6 months old - she jumps up and nips faces when she is excited. She does not nip ...
A: She does it because she is trying to greet you, and Aussies and other herding breeds often do nip ...
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| Help | 7/24/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: My family and i own a 2 year old australin shepard. We bought her from a breeder close to our home ...
A: Well, the breed standard for these dogs says "strong herding and guarding instinct", and if not well ...
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| Help | 7/24/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: My family and i own a 2 year old australin shepard. We bought her from a breeder close to our home ...
A: The first thing I would do is to have your veterinarian examine her and test her for thyroid ...
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| Aussie Shepherd | 7/22/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I am looking for some advice please, I have a 5 month old Aussie male, who is extremely hyper.. no ...
A: I don't know how you have been exercising him, but walking on lead is insufficient for these dogs, ...
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| Breed of puppy | 7/21/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We are fostering a puppy we pulled from animal control. She was listed as an aussie/mix. After ...
A: Long coat is a dominant characteristic, and it's probably likelier that this is a Catahoula mix ...
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| ears | 7/2/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: One of my Aussie's ears is larger than the other. She's 3 months and teething. They both flip ...
A: If your veterinarian has determined that your dog's ears are normal healthwise, and she is not going ...
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| Barking Aussie | 6/30/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: Our 14 month old Aussie has always barked at my kids when they are in our pool or are on the ...
A: Why can't you leave him indoors when there's that much activity? It's really not fair to the dog to ...
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| Aussie suddenly refuses to walk | 6/22/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: Our Australian shepherd, Brandy, is one-year-old. We live in Florida so I'm out with her by 7:30 ...
A: Perhaps the passerby was right, that it is too hot for her, but any time a dog exhibits a sudden ...
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| aussie puppy eats everything | 6/22/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: my 4 month old Aussie eats everything. we have a very clean house but he still gets into everything. ...
A: He may have started this behavior due to boredom. Many Aussies are working dogs, and not really ...
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| grooming | 5/30/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: My Australian shepard is an outside dog. How short should or can I cut his hair in the summer? ...
A: You should NOT cut his hair in summer. The coat is there for protection against bugs, twigs, and ...
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| Aggressive Aussie | 5/22/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: I have a 5 year old Aussie neutered male and have done a ton of training w/ him, positive ...
A: I think that's a fine idea as long as you don't get your hopes up that it will work in all ...
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| 3 year old Aussie bit my baby | 5/4/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We have a three year old female aussie. She has never bit myself or my husband before. Never bit a ...
A: The good news is that your dog has great bite inhibition. However, no one can guarantee you that ...
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| Aussie diet/potential allergies | 5/3/2009 | Anne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT |
Q: We have a 5.5 month old male Aussie with digestive problems (soft/liquid stool) that our vet can't ...
A: If he is truly parasite free, it may be that he has a food allergy or sensitivity. You may want to ...
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