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Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Marking Behavior + Asking For Door

by Gaby
(NYC)


My Australian Shepherd puppy is 5 months old, and he has been great so far. He is crate trained and when out of the crate he now asks for the door. He had only two accidents in the last 6 weeks I would say, and both times it was my fault when I ignored him when he went to the door.

I have two questions now:

1. He asks for the door every 1-2 hours, but we know that in his crate he can hold it for about 8 hours. When he goes outside after 1-2 hours he just wants to go on a walk (usually pulling towards the dog run). He doesn't even pee or poop! Will this behavior stop by itself, or do I have to do something about it? So far I have been firm on going back inside when he doesn't pee or poop outside (after a few minutes of sniffing). I don't know if I should ignore him when he asks for the door and it's been only an hour since he last went, however I'm scared he will then pee on the floor!

2. He started humping other dogs at the dog run, and so we anticipate him starting to mark his territory. We see some other dogs in the neighborhood who mark just about anything - posts, walls, fences, etc. I don't want my dog to do that for many reasons, but I'm wondering if it's right to stop him from marking. Do your male dogs mark, and if not did you do anything about it to stop them at the beginning?

Also FYI - we are planning on neutering him at around 6 months since that's when the vet said it should be done. Will neutering stop him from marking?

Thanks! :)

Comments for Marking Behavior + Asking For Door

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Same problem
by: Anonymous

My guy still likes to be let out just like your puppy and he's a year & half roughly! It has gotten better with aging but still likes to be let out whenever he can just to sniff or walk around the yard. I am hoping with time he will continue to do it less and less. As for humping he is trying to dominate the other dogs maybe because he's nervous/insecure but try your best to stop the behavior.

marking behavior
by: Anonymous

Perhaps he just wants to go outside and play. Aussies are high energy and need a lot of exercise. The best thing I ever did was get another dog for him. You might want to think about a fenced yard. My two aussies spend a great deal of time running and playing. If I were to keep them inside alot they would go crazy.

Old Aussie Owner
by: Kristen

I have a 10 year old Aussie. He still wants outside as often as possible. Most of the time he does not use the bathroom, just walks around the yard and sniffs. He enjoys any chance to be outside. He is not fixed, marks everything even if he has marked it 10 times in one day. As for the humping, it is a dominance thing. Mine grew out of it after a few years.

going out
by: Anonymous

Aussies need to have a "job" to do to keep them occupied. They are very smart and social. I currently have my 5th and 6th. All of them have been better in pairs and love to spend time outside until they were quite elderly. The only ones that wanted to spend more time inside, didn't get that way until they were 14 and 15 years old. If yours is asking to go out, he may just need some intensive playtime o use up some energy. Throw a ball, take him for a long walk or get him a friend and he will be more relaxed.

Wants to go out
by: Anonymous

These are very high energy dogs. A short walk is just not enough. My 2 1/2 yr old rescue goes at least 2-3 miles early morning and another couple late after dark. On work days she is in her crate due to dangers at work so the late walk can get to be double that.

I also wait about 1/2 hour after walking to feed her. Mornings she gets 2/3 of her meal. Within about 20 minutes she is out cold for several hours.

Most days she gets 1/3 meal for snack at lunch. We train about 20 minutes at lunch then she is out again for a couple hours.

During walks I work on close heel, nopull (not pulling on the leash), recalls, emergency stand in place and sniff for potty stops. This becomes very stressful for these high energy dogs but good for them to maintain mental control. Nothing happens quickly for these guys except to easly get into overdrive. Training helps you work closer to this level.

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