You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Dog Breeds
- Australian Shepherds
Australian Shepherds/Questions Answered by Expert Anne Springer, B.S., Dip., CAPCT
| Subject | Date Asked |
| What to do after one of my two Aussies dies | 3/10/2012 |
| Q: A little over a month ago I had to put one of my 2 Aussies to sleep. He was almost thirteen years ... A: After a few weeks, if your dog bounces back and seems none the worse for wear, you might want to ... | |
| Behaviour | 1/4/2012 |
| Q: I have a 5 year old male Aussie. Recently I acquired another dog that is requiring alot of my ... A: What gender, age, and breed is the other dog? What is the other dog's socialization history? When ... | |
| Aussie Puppy | 11/4/2011 |
| Q: I am new to the aussie breed, but not dogs. I have owned and trained many dogs in my life, and ... A: That sometimes happens when a pup is brought into a home with another dog. If you think about it ... | |
| Australian Shepherd HELP | 9/11/2011 |
| Q: We have had our female since she was a puppy she is now 4 years old. This has been the BEST dog ... A: I have no way of knowing, but generally speaking, herding breeds are not as likely as other breeds ... | |
| chewing | 8/21/2011 |
| Q: my husband is in the army and we were living in Washington state fore about 4 months of my dogs ... A: The dog is nervous in the new environment, especially being left with "strangers" for the first time ... | |
| 10 month old Aussie - bit our neighbor | 5/4/2011 |
| Q: I've been reading through your site and seeing some common themes. I'm sad to report we had a ... A: Regardless if you think they are appropriate, shock collars cause pain, and I've never known an ... | |
| 10 month old Aussie - bit our neighbor | 5/3/2011 |
| Q: I've been reading through your site and seeing some common themes. I'm sad to report we had a ... A: When you say "correction collar" I'm not sure I know what you mean. Slip (choke) collar, prong ... | |
| Aussie puppy bitting | 4/25/2011 |
| Q: My cousin purchased 2 Aussie brother and sister puppies from a pet store. We are very close and ... A: IMMEDIATELY, your cousin should take those puppies to puppy class, in separate classes and with a ... | |
| Small animal kills | 3/14/2011 |
| Q: My aussie is very territorial. She has killed a cat, possum, rabbit, groundhogs, birds, mice, moles ... A: Dogs do know their own species if they have been at all socialized, such as in puppy class, but some ... | |
| Australian Shepherd | 2/16/2011 |
| Q: I adpoted a 4 year old Australian Shepherd and he is great. How low can the outside temperture get ... A: I don't agree with putting a dog outside in a pen all day, if that's what you mean. Aussies are ... | |
| Dog nipping | 2/13/2011 |
| Q: The event usually plays out like this: she see's someone, she then has the need to say hi, she ... A: You said, "She definitely crouch's forward she leaves my side to say hi to the person(s). I would ... | |
| Dog nipping | 2/12/2011 |
| Q: The event usually plays out like this: she see's someone, she then has the need to say hi, she ... A: Stop correcting her! If she is nipping out of fear, this won't help, and may make matters worse. I ... | |
| mini aussies as a running partner? | 1/12/2011 |
| Q: We currently have a 12yr old lab who is very sweet and extremely laid back. I am looking for my new ... A: Aussies are a very athletic breed, but are not for everyone. If you are used to the laid back Lab, ... | |
| giardia | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: My 5 1/2 month miniature Australian shepherd has had Guardia since her 2nd worming at nine weeks--a ... A: Yes, it is true, but it can also be brought in to the yard or home on your shoes and boots. It's ... | |
| Aussie recent agression | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: I have a 10 month old male neutered Aussie who has always been friendly. We take him camping with us ... A: My suggestion is that you get an appointment with a behavior professional who can instruct you in ... | |
| Stray puppy | 11/9/2010 |
| Q: My son brought home a puppy from the woods. I took the puppy to the vet this morning and found out ... A: I think if you have the resources to take the pup to classes, and you keep up with his socialization ... | |
| minature australian shepard puppy | 9/26/2010 |
| Q: I am thinking about buying a new puppy. He is in a small pet shop in my area. I trust these people. ... A: Never buy a puppy from a pet store!!!!!! You may trust them, but almost all pet shop puppies come ... | |
| training age | 9/23/2010 |
| Q: I have an aussie puppy that is 4 months and 3 weeks old. I lost both of my aussies (brother and ... A: I don't think you are doing too much. These dogs love to work! As long as you are not stressing ... | |
| Bee sting? | 9/21/2010 |
| Q: My 1 1/2 yr. old Aussie had a sudden episode a few weeks ago - ears back, frothing/drooling, slight ... A: Idiopathic epilepsy runs in Australian Shepherds, as does hypothyroidism, both of which can cause ... | |
| aussies | 9/20/2010 |
| Q: do you show or work ur dogs i've worked cattle all my life with aussies all those test you people ... A: I don't have any idea why you seem so upset with me. My Aussie comes from working lines (Pincie ... | |
| Yellow Coat? | 9/18/2010 |
| Q: I have a australian shepherd but she isn't your normal everyday color. She is yellow, now I have ... A: It is possible to have a yellow Aussie. Here's some information on them: ... | |
| nipping | 8/27/2010 |
| Q: we have a loverly 1 yr old Aussie - Max. Sometimes when he's around kids (ours and others)and the ... A: You need to train the dog and the kids together:-) Firstly, the children should not be permitted to ... | |
| Grooming | 8/23/2010 |
| Q: 2 days ago, we took our red merle to a groomer. I did not want him shaved becuase I don't like the ... A: Dandruff, dry hair, and dirt is not usually an excuse to shave a dog unless the dog had parasites or ... | |
| Sensitive to sound | 8/20/2010 |
| Q: My aussie is EXTREMELY sensitive to abrupt noises. Especially popping sounds - i.e. fireworks, ... A: It's not uncommon in a lot of breeds, including Aussies. There is a very good article on noise ... | |
| biting | 7/24/2010 |
| Q: Overall my Aussie is a wonderful dog however when i was cleaning some dog biscuits that fell on the ... A: Time out is an appropriate punishment for children, but rarely for dogs. They simply don't make the ... | |
| Barking | 7/20/2010 |
| Q: I have an Australian Shepherd and he hates strangers. On walks, we've trained him not to bark or ... A: If you read the Australian Shepherd breed standard, it does say that they are dogs with "strong ... | |
| Rogue, Tebow And Bam bam | 7/17/2010 |
| Q: I have 2 Aussie healer mixes that we adopted,they were dropped on the side of the road in the same ... A: Without seeing this, I have no idea which dog is really starting the problem, because it isn't ... | |
| Pattern Whites | 7/16/2010 |
| Q: We bred our blue merle female to a male black tri, who has a great bloodline. Niether of them have ... A: Well, not knowing the dogs, that's difficult to answer. Although most pattern whites come from ... | |
| my dog barks constantly while playing. | 7/13/2010 |
| Q: She is a australian shepherd/labrador. She is a wonderful dog other than her constant barking while ... A: One helpful thing you can do is NOT to bark back:-) So, avoid telling her to be quiet! Until you ... | |
| weight of an aussie | 7/11/2010 |
| Q: I have a female australian shephard that weighs 19 pounds. I took her to the vet and she wants to do ... A: Yes, I do think you should follow up with that. Aussies do have a wide range of sizes and weights, ... | |
| help they shaved my aussie | 6/29/2010 |
| Q: Is there aything I can do for the shaved coat I have read several stories good and bad I hope his ... A: How unfortunate. The coat may or may not grow back exactly as it was, but it will grow back ... | |
| My 5 Year old aussi | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: I adopted my 5 year old Australian shepherd two years ago from the humane society. He came with an ... A: The first thing I would work on is his behavior on leash. There's a really good book called "Click ... | |
| Crying, howling Kelpie Cros | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: We have a 11 month Kelpie cross, we got it off th farm when it was 10 weeks old possible, mother and ... A: You could try a citronella collar, which does not use electric shock. But the better method is ... | |
| Should we adopt this aussie?? | 5/2/2010 |
| Q: First a little background. My husband and I are anxious to adopt a new puppy. We had a 14-year-old ... A: Aussies are very, very active dogs, but can be kept busy with interactive toys, food puzzles, ... | |
| aggression | 4/29/2010 |
| Q: My Aussie is dog aggressive,since she was a pup.I want to trial her as she is really good,but ... A: I agree that you should find a good clicker trainer and work on this. Spaying is not likely to ... | |
| Overly White Face in A Tri Colord Dog | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I am going to be getting a female pure breed Australian Shepherd in about a month, when she turns 8 ... A: The way that you assess your dog for the possibility of eye issues is: You ask the breeder for the ... | |
| Weining from crate | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: We are trying to wean our dog from his crate he is 10 month old Aussie. He is crated when we are at ... A: Digging and destructive behavior are often symptomatic of a dog that is bored. Aussies are not a ... | |
| 10 wk. old wont quit herding! | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: we recently got a 10 wk. old mini and whenever we go for a walk with him, he will start to try and ... A: And you bought an Aussie why??? These are herding dogs:-))) The truth is that they need early ... | |
| Potty Training | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: We have a 12 week old Aussie, we got him when he was 8 weeks. We are keeping him in the house, but ... A: Maybe it will be more helpful if I just give you the info that all my students get. It may be that ... | |
| 2nd aussie | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: we have a 15 month old spayed female australian shepherd. we are considering getting another aussie ... A: Adult dogs usually treat very young puppies with care, however, you should not get a second dog ... | |
| Running mate and food requirements | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: I have a 7 month old aussie male, he is about 37lbs. He is a running mate for my dad and goes ... A: Without seeing your dog's condition, I really can't comment. However, if your dog has a "waistline" ... | |
| Aussie Grooming question | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: I did not know it was bad for my Aussie's coat to shave him, and had it done three summers before a ... A: Unfortunately, I can't tell you that. Some dogs regrow the guard hair, others never do, which is ... | |
| Mini Aussie Shepherd biting and eating everything! | 2/3/2010 |
| Q: My boyfriend and I bought a Miniature Australian Shepherd about a month ago and she is now 3 1/2 ... A: You may want to crate train her, so that she can be left in a safe place while you can't watch her. ... | |
| Aussie biting | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: ..usually somebody else has already asked what I need to know so I haven't needed to ask personally. ... A: If they are play fighting, and there is give and take between them, that is normal. If there is ... | |
| How old should my dog be before putting him outside | 1/24/2010 |
| Q: My son got an Australian Shepherd for Christmas from his girlfriend and I am left to raise it with ... A: This dog needs socialization with other puppies, training, and environmental enrichment, or you will ... | |
| aussie mix | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: I have a question about my 2 mths ausie mix (red heeler and aust shep) We bought her from a store ... A: Puppy nipping, especially in the herders, is normal, but there are things you *must* do with herders ... | |
| Thinking about a Aussie | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: My Fiance and I are thinking of bringing a Aussie into our little family. We have a cat and a 9 mnth ... A: Aussies are dogs with "strong herding and guarding instinct" according to the breed standard. They ... | |
| Aussie Behavior | 1/7/2010 |
| Q: We have a 1 1/2 yr old Australian Shepard who has been a fun loving and wonderful pet, however, I ... A: Firstly, don't ever leave him unattended again, especially tied, and especially among strangers. ... | |
| Australian Shepard/Cattle Dog Mix | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: I recently adopted a dog from animal control. They claim it is a seven month old Australian ... A: Don't lay on the floor if she nips - that way she won't practice any inappropriate behavior;-) ... | |
| mini aussies | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: I have a two-year-old mini aussie, and we recently purchased a puppy from the same breeder. I am ... A: Actually, I think if it were me, I would say that my dog has Australian Shepherd breeding, but ... | |
| mini aussies | 1/1/2010 |
| Q: I have a two-year-old mini aussie, and we recently purchased a puppy from the same breeder. I am ... A: Mini, toy, doesn't matter - you've been had to a certain extent. The time to have done your ... | |
| weight | 12/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a female aussie who is 10 months old. She now weights 53 lbs. I don't think she is ... A: 53 pounds does sound very heavy for a purebred Aussie female, especially one so young. But, the way ... | |
| Excessive hair loss and ltos of scratching and bititng? | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: 'My aussie is turing two in 2 weeks and for the past 3 months he ahs been scratching and biting and ... A: If you think the dog has fleas, part some of his hair and look for "flea dirt" (also look to see if ... | |
| australian shepperds | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: How do these dogs do outside in snowy freezing temperatures. they have a dog house but they seem to ... A: Aussies are good all weather dogs, as they have a "wash n wear" double coat. However, I don't ... | |
| 16 week old Austrialiamn/German Shepherd Pup - Leash Training | 12/7/2009 |
| Q: We have a 16 week old Austrailian/German shepherd mix. Our problem is really opposite of what most ... A: If she's already 16 weeks old and has not had the experiences she needs with regard to ... | |
| Citronella collar? | 11/11/2009 |
| 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, ... | |
| Housebreaking Issue | 11/11/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| staying outside in cold weather | 11/8/2009 |
| 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, ... | |
| biting for no apparent reason | 11/3/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| eye problem | 11/3/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| hard to remove feathers | 10/31/2009 |
| 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, ... | |
| Running an Aussie | 10/27/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| nipping at faces | 10/26/2009 |
| 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. ... | |
| Best time to neuter Aussie | 10/26/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Trying to calm on leash... | 10/24/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| barking | 10/19/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Size of a four month old | 10/17/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Toy Australian Shepherds | 10/15/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| aggression | 10/15/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| aggression | 10/14/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Invisible Fences? | 10/12/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Aggressive Male | 9/28/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Ausie chases pets | 9/25/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Ausie chases pets | 9/23/2009 |
| 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, ... | |
| Integrating our Aussie... | 9/21/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Aussie need more activity | 9/20/2009 |
| 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, ... | |
| Aussie teeth | 9/18/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Aussie hates the collar! | 8/2/2009 |
| 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, ... | |
| aussies fur | 8/1/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Weight Question | 7/30/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| aussie shedding vs. hair loss | 7/29/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| barking and chasing | 7/29/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| nipping | 7/27/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Help | 7/24/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Help | 7/24/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Aussie Shepherd | 7/22/2009 |
| 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, ... | |
| Breed of puppy | 7/21/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| ears | 7/2/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Barking Aussie | 6/30/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Aussie suddenly refuses to walk | 6/22/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| aussie puppy eats everything | 6/22/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| grooming | 5/30/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Aggressive Aussie | 5/22/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| 3 year old Aussie bit my baby | 5/4/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| Aussie diet/potential allergies | 5/3/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| aussie having seizure like episodes in hind legs | 5/2/2009 |
| Q: our Aussie started displaying spasm like episodes last week in her hind legs. it is almost like she ... A: There are quite a few conditions that can cause such episodes, so the only advice I can give you is ... | |
| mini aussie | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: Do I need to have my mini aussie profrssionally trained (i.e puppy kindergaten) or can I train him ... A: It's better if you do it, but with professional guidance. Try to find a positive trainer in your ... | |
| nipping or clashing teeth | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: My wife and I were wondering if this was part of the herding instinct. She doesn't bite like, just ... A: Teeth gnashing is something that occurs in all breeds and is normal. Herding breeds may be ... | |
| Licking/Scratching | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a 4 yr old Aussie he is wonderful with our animals and grandchildren, The only problem i have ... A: This dog needs to see a vet. There are many things that cause hair loss, and allergies are just ... | |
| mini aussie 10 wks old | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: What job do you give your aussie, mine I got yesterday she is 10 wks old. Is she to young to run ... A: You cannot crate a 10 week old for that many hours! At night, she might be able to "hold it", but ... | |
| Matted rear feathers | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: My Aussie has some extreme matting in her hindquarter feathering. I purchased a razor comb to help ... A: Oh my goodness - guess you'll be using someone else to babysit your dog from now on, eh? Anyway, ... | |
| Matted rear feathers | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: My Aussie has some extreme matting in her hindquarter feathering. I purchased a razor comb to help ... A: An Aussie's feathering takes a long time to grow back, but it will eventually do so. Aussies shed ... | |
| Aussie barking | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: Our Australian shepherd is everthing wonderful that owners rave about except in one thing: When ... A: You could train her to wear a "calming cap" (www.premierpet.com). You would acclimate her to it the ... | |
| Aussie, sharp teeth | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: My puppy's 1-male and 1-female are 9 weeks old. The teeth are very sharp. Is this something that ... A: Get those dogs into puppy class (separately, on different nights is better, but don't wait just to ... | |
| Mini Aussi | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: Do you think that in general a mini aussi is subject to more health problems that the "pure breeds", ... A: Yes, I do, and the reason is that responsible breeders don't knowingly sell their breeding prospects ... | |
| Getting an Mini Aussie | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to decide what type of dog to get and I have been researching the mini Aussies. My ... A: Aussies are generally not good kid dogs unless the children are older, don't do a lot of screeching, ... | |
| Aussie undercoat | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: We spend summers in Indiana and Winters in Southwest Florida. I just spoke to a groomer here in ... A: Aussies have an all weather double coat, and no "stripping" is necessary. That doesn't mean that ... | |
| neutering age | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: I am getting a 4 month old Australian Shepherd from a very reputable breeder. I am planning on ... A: I would not get a dog from someone who restricts my ability to neuter when I need to. While it is ... | |
| Eye defects | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: My Australian shepherd has what seems to be a slight blur at the bottom of his pupil and i was ... A: Please, please, please, do NOT breed a dog with an eye defect - this is like dooming generations of ... | |
| Eye defects | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: My Australian shepherd has what seems to be a slight blur at the bottom of his pupil and i was ... A: Aussies are subject to eye anomalies, and blindness, especially if they were products of merle to ... | |
| heeler/samoyed barking | 2/21/2009 |
| Q: I liked your previous answer about the digging and chewing that I thought I would ask you another ... A: Well, unfortunately, I'm going to agree that the dogs should be inside when you cannot supervise ... | |
| My dog hates being alone | 2/20/2009 |
| Q: I am 19 and i have a blue heeler. she has panic attacks when ever she thinks i am going be to ... A: I would like to refer you to a couple of books that cover your main problems in detail. The first ... | |
| Heeler chews and digs | 2/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a heeler/samoyed. He is a year old now. He is extremely smart! I'm not just saying that ... A: He may stop chewing as he gets older - at his age, he is probably still setting his adult teeth into ... | |
| toy aussie | 2/16/2009 |
| Q: We have a toy aussie, he is one year 0old and extremely hyper. He runs laps in the yard and through ... A: Some purebred Australian Shepherds do have prick ears, but it is considered a serious fault. Not ... | |
| training my aussie pup! | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: We just received a full blooded aussie from a friend of ours as a gift. She is approximately 4 ... A: First off, I would not suggest you breed this dog unless you have solid information about her ... | |
| Help? | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: OK so my family and I have been wanting to get a medium sized dog. So we were looking around and ... A: You need to learn more about the breed before deciding, and in any case, I would not take an eight ... | |
| Mini Australian Sheperds | 2/6/2009 |
| Q: , I am looking to buy a Puppy,,i've been looking at the Sires and Dams,,,it doesn't look like they ... A: Firstly, the Australian Shepherd Club of America is not in favor of miniaturizing the breed. And, ... | |
| Aussie and the door! | 2/4/2009 |
| Q: Everytime I let my 1 yr old Aussie out the side door (it opens to the outside instead of in) She ... A: She's trying to manipulate you in the way herding dogs manipulate livestock. And, you are quite ... | |
| Rabbits. | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: Ofcourse I have an Aussie and during the day time we usually have her on a tie out. Well, I happen ... A: I'm glad that your Aussie is bonded to you and comes when you call, because there are other things ... | |
| My 7 month old puppy | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: I have a 7 month old aussie mix. He's great but I don't quite trust him at home alone. I'm afraid he ... A: Aussies need a job!!! These dogs do not fare well crated all day unless they get significant mental ... | |
| Australian shepherd | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: i have a 6 month old Australian shepherd he is a male but i am worried about his height. Now I'm not ... A: At six months, he is still going to grow. This is from the Aussie breed standard: "SIZE: Preferred ... | |
| Jobs for my Aussie | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: Morning All, I have a 2 yr. old female Aussie and "brilliant" isn't a necessary adjective...she's ... A: Sports that Aussies often like: Disk Dog Canine Freestyle Agility Tricks I would not worry about ... | |
| aussie-border collie mix | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: We are getting a puppy, liked your answer about herding chickens and plan to train for that. Also ... A: Generally, herding dogs would rather herd birds than hunt them. Things to keep an Aussie or BC ... | |
| Breeding | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: Is it safe or possible to breed a normal sized male aussie with a miniature female aussie? My wife ... A: The Australian Shepherd is a breed with a small gene pool, and you should really learn more about ... | |
| Oil Supplementing | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: Is vegetable oil a good supplement to give in my shepherd's food for her skin? If not, what do you ... A: Well, you could, but I also remember that there is a supplement, sold in most pet supply stores, ... | |
| Oil Supplementing | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: Is vegetable oil a good supplement to give in my shepherd's food for her skin? If not, what do you ... A: If your dog's skin isn't good, then you should first speak to your veterinarian. Most high quality ... | |
| Winter swimming | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: I have a 7 month old rescued Australian Shepherd. She was diagnosed with hip dysplasia last month. ... A: I would suggest that you check with your vet regarding the proper temperature that would be ... | |
| herding instincts | 10/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a 16 week old cattle dog / rotweiller mix. When walking with him and my other dog (pit bull ... A: I'm partial to training dogs separately before walking them together. If each dog has a good ... | |
| breeding | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: my miniature Australian shepherd my have been breed to my full size Australian shepherd will this ... A: Depending upon the relative size difference between the two dogs, yes, it could. Speak to your ... | |
| Austrailian Shepherd folded ears, and bowed legs | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: Our aussie is 8 months old. He has folded ears, nearly prick. The breeder glued his ears down on ... A: Well, puppy chow is not the best food, in my opinion, but regardless of that, some dogs are not ... | |
| OUR ALMOST 1 YR OLD MINI AUSSIE LIMPS | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: Our almost 1 year old mini aussie limps on his back right leg.It started after he would wake up from ... A: You were not wrong, you just didn't like being told the truth. I doubt that you would find much ... | |
| OUR ALMOST 1 YR OLD MINI AUSSIE LIMPS | 10/12/2008 |
| Q: Our almost 1 year old mini aussie limps on his back right leg.It started after he would wake up from ... A: Lameness that comes and goes could be Lyme disease or any one of a number of other things. Keep ... | |
| 5 mo. old mini Aussie with | 10/9/2008 |
| Q: I have a mini Aussie pup who is about 5 months old. His ears have been gradually standing higher and ... A: It is true that some dogs' ears do go back down when they are done teething, not just Aussies, but ... | |
| 5 mo. old mini Aussie with "prick" ears | 10/9/2008 |
| Q: I have a mini Aussie pup who is about 5 months old. His ears have been gradually standing higher and ... A: Prick ears are considered a fault in the Australian Shepherd breed, and it's more common in the ... | |
| patella surgery | 10/7/2008 |
| Q: My blue heeler is 2 and had patella surgery in june, she still favors that leg. I work her out and ... A: Despite the fact that she's an Aussie, that's really a question for a veterinarian. But, be aware ... | |
| digging | 9/23/2008 |
| Q: my aussie is 6 1/2 months old he digs not for escaping every time i let him he digs i have not ... A: You really can't just leave a digger unsupervised in a yard. Be out there with the dog and do play ... | |
| clipping their hair? | 9/22/2008 |
| Q: i am considering getting an Australian shepherd again. I haven't had one in 5 years and back then i ... A: An Aussie's coat should never be shaved - you'll ruin the coat, and it will never look the same! ... | |
| austrailian shepard skin conditions | 9/17/2008 |
| Q: My sister has a minature austrailian shepard and it has a small skin condition on its face and the ... A: Ask for a referral to a veterinary referral, or make an appointment at a local teaching veterinary ... | |
| digging | 9/16/2008 |
| Q: my aussie is 6 1/2 months old he digs not for escaping every time i let him he digs i have not ... A: It sounds as if you are giving him goo exercise, so it might be that he would like more mental ... | |
| digging | 9/16/2008 |
| Q: my aussie is 6 1/2 months old he digs not for escaping every time i let him he digs i have not ... A: Aussies are notorious for finding "jobs" to do if you don't give them one! This still could be ... | |
| new puppy, growing at times, agressive or normal? | 9/15/2008 |
| Q: We are new dog owners. Border/Aussie. 9 weeks ols. After we has him 4-days he growls at times ... A: Stop physically correcting this pup NOW. You will only encourage aggression, and that's not what ... | |
| Nipping friends and strangers | 9/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2 1/2 neutered mail Aussie that I adopted from the pound when he was 1 year old. Since he ... A: Original stockdog type Aussies are known for their guardiness as well as their herdiness, and, ... | |
| 15 month old Mini-Aussie | 8/30/2008 |
| Q: Cody is a darling dog. For socialization,my wife has taken him to a couple of dog parks. He has been ... A: Q. Does the AKC and ASCA even ackowledge a Miniature Austrailian Sheperd as a breed, or as a genetic ... | |
| 15 month old Mini-Aussie "Cody" | 8/29/2008 |
| Q: Cody is a darling dog. For socialization,my wife has taken him to a couple of dog parks. He has been ... A: Not to be impolite, and I don't wish to offend you, but this is your fault, not your dog's - the ... | |
| Aussie won't come back when I call her.... | 8/21/2008 |
| Q: Our Aussie, Roxi, is 5 months old. She minds fairly well, having had no real training. When I take ... A: Even though Aussies are very smart, and like to be with their owners, they are not born knowing what ... | |
| 6 month old Aussie | 7/23/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering what the appropriate height/weight is for a standard male 6 month old Aussie puppy ... A: It sounds like he is on a growth curve that would place him in the mid to high end of that range. ... | |
| Sally | 7/22/2008 |
| Q: Why does our Aussie get along with one of our Jack Russells and hates the other 2 we have? We have ... A: This is not a simple situation that can be solved via internet advice. You really should contact a ... | |
| tired aussie mix | 7/21/2008 |
| Q: I just adopted a 6 month old Australian shepherd mix from a local shelter. He's very sweet and ... A: Some dogs just aren't that drive-y and aren't crazy about balls or tug. But, that doesn't mean you ... | |
| Biting during play - Deaf Aussie | 7/20/2008 |
| Q: We recently rescued an Aussie that we believe may have been breed for herding on possibly an Amish ... A: I doubt that it would, but the fact is that a deaf dog cannot hear the shepherd's instructions, and ... | |
| Biting during play - Deaf Aussie | 7/19/2008 |
| Q: We recently rescued an Aussie that we believe may have been breed for herding on possibly an Amish ... A: Well, the dog may be deaf, but you can still teach him that you do not like him to put his teeth on ... | |
| nervous stomach aussie | 7/11/2008 |
| Q: We rescued a 4yr old male aussie mix 2 years ago. Unfortunately we weren't able to get any ... A: Clomicalm does not help with that per se, but the dog would be less anxious, so it might help ... | |
| nervous stomach aussie | 7/10/2008 |
| Q: We rescued a 4yr old male aussie mix 2 years ago. Unfortunately we weren't able to get any ... A: Without actually seeing the dog, it's just an educated guess, but it sounds as if he is an anxious ... | |
| mini aussie | 7/9/2008 |
| Q: I have 2 questions. First, my mini Aussie is about 6 years old. After vigorous exercise (chasing ... A: You should be asking your vet to examine the dog. Exercise intolerance can be caused by many ... | |
| TRAINING | 7/9/2008 |
| Q: I have a question I would like to know how to get my aussie to listen to me. We have 2 children and ... A: Before you teach him to play with a frisbee, you should start with the basics. These are very high ... | |
| Lazy Aussie? | 7/8/2008 |
| Q: Actually, I have two questions. We adopted a one year old Aussie from the pound almost a year ago. ... A: The show types do tend to be heavier boned, and heavier coated, and less active than the real ... | |
| puppy size question | 7/3/2008 |
| Q: We adopted an Aussie puppy March of this year. He looked average size for a puppy his age when we ... A: The Australian Shepherd breed standard says "Preferred height at the withers for males is 20 to 23 ... | |
| Nose Peeling | 7/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a two year old female Australian Shepherd whose nose started to peel about 6 months ago and ... A: It sounds like your vet has diagnosed your dog with what we often call "Collie nose". It affects ... | |
| barking and socialization | 7/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a wonderful, loving 2 year old aussie. He is a little mischievous, but overall he is a great ... A: Do the protocols in "Click to Calm" or "Scaredy Dog" step by step (amazon should have). Even if you ... | |
| Walking | 6/29/2008 |
| Q: my aussie doesnt seem to like leashes or collars everytime i put one on him he sits and doesnt move ... A: He just doesn't understand yet. Try luring him with a bit of roast beef or cheese to take a few ... | |
| 4 year old male mini aussie | 6/18/2008 |
| Q: I am at witts end. My aussie is 4 years old and neutered. He ws such a wonderful dog until he ... A: Firstly, I believe you already know that this is NOT an off leash dog now, for any reason. If you ... | |
| Noise Issues | 6/3/2008 |
| Q: My 5 yo Aussie, Sam, has some issues with noise. He is a rescue that we have had for 3.5 years. We ... A: Well, if by "making him", you mean forcing him physically to "stay", then my advice would be to ... | |
| Not very active for a puppy | 6/3/2008 |
| Q: We got a 10 wk. old female Aussie six days ago. We have socialized her every day with people, dogs ... A: I'm not sure if you should be concerned, since I don't know your puppy. But, if she's only ten ... | |
| matted undercoat | 6/1/2008 |
| Q: My one year old loves water and his undercoat on back hip areas and neck are matted like wool. Help. ... A: Mats tighten if they get wet, and are that much harder to brush out, perhaps impossible. You really ... | |
| running away | 5/18/2008 |
| Q: we got our Aussie/ Border collie mix last November. She is just a wonderful dog. BEAUTIFUL!! ... A: Well, allowing her to run free is NOT the answer. Dogs don't have any idea where boundary lines ... | |
| Miniature Aussie Shepherd puppy, deaf | 5/8/2008 |
| Q: I'm babysitting a 13 week old female aussie shepherd puppy. She's supposedly only going to be 20-25 ... A: This is all too common in the breed, sadly, and is usually the result of two merle colored dogs ... | |
| Australian Shepherd/ long haired Dachshund mix | 5/7/2008 |
| Q: We just bought an Australian Shepherd/ long haired Dachshund mix female puppy. She is six weeks ... A: I'm glad you admitted your lack of research;-) Aside from just the breed issues, a pup of six weeks ... | |
| barking aussie | 5/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a 4 year old spayed aussie who barks continuously. She barks in the house all the time for ... A: Your dog could be barking for a number of reasons: 1. Her genes - Aussies are bred for herding and ... | |
| Australian Shepherd | 4/30/2008 |
| Q: We have a 4 1/2 month old male Aussie and we have 3 other dogs. Their water bowl and food are ... A: First, stop hitting his paw on the floor - he isn't a human child and has no idea what that means, ... | |
| australian cattle dog mix | 4/26/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to find out what my dog is mixed with. Where can I go to find out on the internet. she ... A: Actually, short of DNA testing, there's no real way to find out, although you can certainly make an ... | |
| Jobs for herding dogs | 4/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a 10 month old male Australian Shepherd. I love him so much, but I feel bad because I have a ... A: First off, let me say that I truly applaud you for not giving up on keeping your Aussie and making ... | |
| Aussie/B-Collie Mix and a New Aussie Pup | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I have an Aussie/BorderCollie mix approx 5-6 yrs we adopted 3 1/2 yrs ago..He's been an amazing dog ... A: One of the best things you can do is to be a benevolent leader to both dogs - sometimes it helps, ... | |
| Aussie/B-Collie Mix and a New Aussie Pup | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I have an Aussie/BorderCollie mix approx 5-6 yrs we adopted 3 1/2 yrs ago..He's been an amazing dog ... A: My Aussie nips and herds Great Danes, too, LOL. They must look like cattle to her;-)) Seriously, ... | |
| Border Aussie mix train to herd | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I recently got a Border/ Aussie mix. She is extremely intelligent and loves to train. She is 12 ... A: Well, both Aussies and Border Collies are used to herd ducks, so you probably can. I'm not a ... | |
| what training will work best for my aussie? | 4/5/2008 |
| Q: My aussie is one year old and needs training. I haven't had the money to put him into a class until ... A: I'm glad you have the means to train the dog now, and that you are doing your homework to find the ... | |
| DOG AGGRESSION | 4/5/2008 |
| Q: I ADOPTED A 4 YEAR OLD AUSSIE NAMED MANDY AFTER LOSING MY MATHILDA TO CANCER. THUNDER IS MY 13 YR ... A: It's hard, just with what you have told me, to determine the reason for her aggression. Many dogs ... | |
| Looking to Purchase a Toy Aussie | 4/3/2008 |
| Q: I live in CA and am having a hard time to find breeders in CA...any ideas on how you found your ... A: Please understand, I am not trying to hurt your feelings or be impolite - I just don't know how else ... | |
| my year old australian shepherd female | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: she does quite well herding and minds very well goes after cow occasionally the only thing is at ... A: I'm not an expert in herding, as my dogs are used for therapy dog work and tracking, but as a ... | |
| 7 year old aussies | 3/31/2008 |
| Q: My male and female are becoming very aggressive toward each other it seems. Really fighting over ... A: Are these dogs littermates by any chance, or are they similar in age? Often, same age dogs of ... | |
| Need to help a disabled Aussie lose some weight. | 3/25/2008 |
| Q: About a month or two ago I adopted a 10 year old Aussie that has an injury in one of his hind feet ... A: I know you bought it with your dog's best interest in mind (all those healthy looking veggies on the ... | |
| biting | 3/23/2008 |
| Q: Last night, my sister's Aussie bit my little boy on the face. I was surprised because she's a quiet ... A: It is typical of the breed to want to "stop motion" and keep strangers from moving about. The breed ... | |
| 2 year old australian shepherd | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: We love our dog Bo, but just recently he has started biting people that come into our yard. At first ... A: The Aussie breed standard reads "strong herding and guarding instinct", and it seems you have a dog ... | |
| biting | 3/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a beautiful Australian shepherd boy that is very obedient and he likes to play with other ... A: It is a herding behavior, but your dog doesn't appear to have very good bite inhibition - either ... | |
| our new aussie/ 16 weeks old | 3/10/2008 |
| Q: we have adopted a puppy, full australian shepherd, with papers on the litter and parents. this pup ... A: Unfortunately, you have been taken in by a backyard breeder who is not doing a proper job of ... | |
| Considering an Aussie | 3/10/2008 |
| Q: Anne, I lost my border collie last year after 18 years, and I am starting to get the urge to get ... A: I'm always glad when people who are familiar with the herding breeds decide to get another one. I'm ... | |
| Aussie bit someone on the ear | 3/9/2008 |
| Q: We adopted an aussie mix (don't know what the mix is) from the Humane Society a few months ago. He ... A: The Australian Shepherd breed standard says that they are a dog with "strong herding and guarding ... | |
| what age to glue or tape ears? | 3/7/2008 |
| Q: I have a 5 month old aussie pup and she has fully pricked ears. When we bought her her ears were ... A: If she has gone through the teething phase, you are probably already too late. Were you planning to ... | |
| 10 1/2 week old Male Red Merle sometimes pees when he gets excited | 3/5/2008 |
| Q: I don't know if this is normal but our male Red Merle started to pee sometimes when we get home or ... A: This is known as submissive urination, or exciteable urination. It's a natural response designed to ... | |
| matted hair on my aussie sherherd female | 2/29/2008 |
| Q: i let my dogs hair gett very matted on her backside; she runs in the brush in Tahoe and i thought ... A: Mats hurt, and can actually cause parasites to attack the dog if they tighten too much - groomers ... | |
| muzzle for Aussie | 2/27/2008 |
| Q: My fearful rescued Aussie bit a jogger and has been decleared dangerous, so she has to wear a ... A: Actually, muzzles are sized for the various breeds, and the way you measure is generally by muzzle ... | |
| muzzle for Aussie | 2/26/2008 |
| Q: My fearful rescued Aussie bit a jogger and has been decleared dangerous, so she has to wear a ... A: The first thing you want to think about is that you now *must* prevent another incident. To that ... | |
| My Aussie wont walk on a leash | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2.5yr old blue merle female. She has decided to stop walking with me in the mornings -- she ... A: A 2.5 year old dog should be well past any developmental fear imprint periods, so my guess is that ... | |
| re:Up at night | 2/22/2008 |
| Q: 5 y.o male Aussie blue merle. He is run in the mornings 3-6 miles; live in NYC in apt. At night ... A: Behaviorist in NY: Katharine Miller ASPCA 424 E. 92nd Street New York, NY 10128 212-876-7700 x4418 ... | |
| NEW Aussie | 2/20/2008 |
| Q: I just lost my male red tri, he was hit by a car and died almost instantly. I would like to get ... A: I would get a more submissive male, perhaps a puppy. It's usually a safer bet. Adult dogs are ... | |
| Ear Taping for 16week old Aussie | 2/18/2008 |
| Q: Anne, We have a 16wk old pup who's ears look similar to "Goofy". They both appear to be the correct ... A: If you check out this site, you can see the acceptable ear sets for Aussies. ... | |
| Aussies | 2/15/2008 |
| Q: I checked out one your links. Pardox. What a great site/operation. If things would work out with a ... A: Usually doesn't matter, since the breeder is simply breeding to improve the breed, and the only ... | |
| Could not follow up string full electronic fence, fencing etc | 2/15/2008 |
| Q: Sorry , I was refering to your comments about invisable fencing, electronic collars, etc. Never ... A: Here's my biz email: pawsforpraise@verizon.net I have a feeling we'll be chatting... Summer is a ... | |
| Australian Shepard | 2/14/2008 |
| Q: Background: We are considering getting an aussie.Because we like active dogs, smart effectionate. ... A: I don't mind answering you through this site. I am not a big fan of invisible fence. ... | |
| hard play | 2/14/2008 |
| Q: We've always kept one Aussie but as our present girl is getting old we got a pup because the thought ... A: Without seeing them play, I can't assume that your pup is too rough, although she very well may be. ... | |
| Australian Shepard | 2/14/2008 |
| Q: Background: We are considering getting an aussie.Because we like active dogs, smart effectionate. ... A: 1. Four days a week, the aussie would be alone, 7:30 to 3:30 Is this too much time alone for this ... | |
Australian Shepherds
Answers by Expert:
Anne Springer, B.S., Dip., CAPCT
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I'm happy to answer questions about the Aussie breed and temperament, and basic information about working lines versus show lines, training your Aussie, grooming your Aussie, and what it's like to live with a dog breed that's smart and versatile, but isn't for everyone.
Experience
Professional trainer, and Aussie owner.
Organizations
IPDTA, APDT, Truly Dog Friendly, Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Education/Credentials
B.S., Diploma in Dog Obedience Instruction, Graduate, NY School of Dog Grooming, Certified Advanced Pet Care Technician (American Pet Care Assn.)
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.