Australian Shepherd
Despite the name, the Australian Shepherd was developed in the United States as a ranch herding dog. Smart, athletic and focused, it learns quickly and needs plenty to do.
Photo: Trickdog-Fina · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Bred for
- Herding livestock on ranches
- Typical energy
- Very high
- Size
- Medium
Where to start
Usually motivated by play, movement and having a job. Use that in training and keep sessions short and rewarded.
First focus
Give daily mental work, such as trick training, scent games and puzzle toys, alongside exercise.
Next
Teach "leave it" and a solid stay early, because chasing movement comes naturally.
Daily habit
Practice settling on a mat on purpose, so a dog who loves to work also learns to switch off.
Breed notes describe tendencies in a group of dogs, not your dog. Every dog is an individual, and Dogify does not assess your dog. This is general training information and not a substitute for a qualified professional.
Chosen for the Australian Shepherd
Teach your dog to settle on a mat
A calm default behavior you can use at the cafe, at meals and when guests arrive: how to teach "go to your mat" in short sessions.
Sit, down and stay: the three foundation cues
How to teach the first three cues with a food lure, then make them reliable with the three Ds: duration, distance and distraction.
How to teach your puppy to come when called
A five-step recall plan that turns your dog's name into the best sound in the world, from the living room to the park.
