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Australian Shepherds Need Jobs Right?

by Veronica
(Miami)

I've heard that Aussies need jobs, or purposes to be happy. Can you give me some ideas for 'jobs' you could give an Aussie? Thanks for any help!

Comments for Australian Shepherds Need Jobs Right?

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Re: Aussie jobs
by: Kym c

Aussies LOVE to have jobs to do,but it doesn't have to be a JOB. They are extremly intellegent,and active so therefore,they CAN get destructive if not given a chance to express that energy. But, keep in mind they are happiest when given a job,and might I say,less destructive! Although it is nice to let your aussie let off steam, they also need to be mentally stimulated. Agility,herding trials(if not on ranch,or in open spaces)therapy dog,even obedience.Teaching your aussie tricks even makes them happy. They need a chance to 'work their mind' to think especially for you! Aussies are a thinking breed and happiest when they are allowed and encouraged to do so. Hope this helps!

australian shepherds
by: Anonymous

With my aussie shep i am training her to pick up her toys,go through obstacle courses,play fetch, tracking down treats, new words vocabulary words like i teach her what certain words mean other than sit, or stay.work on obedience and BE CONSISTANT or they will think they are top dog and will gain hbad habits like trying to herd you and eliminating wherever/whenever they want. Im working on teachimg therapy skills as well as H&R skills(help and rescue) skills.just take time to teach them and challenge their brain and physical ability.make sure they get alot of excercise they love to be brought everywhere with you usually so just bring them for a car-ride.3mile jogs 40-45 min of hard playing and mind games along with love annd bonding should be suffient to keep your dog happy and non destructive.ps if they get too bored and frustrated they will lose their spark and curiosity to try new things and be their normal energy filled selves. if left alone to much or not enough attention they can quite easily get doggie depression. ;'(

exercise and training
by: Anonymous

I use exercise 45 minutes of biking, walks, and fetching to tire out their physical body and then lots of obedience and trick training to stimulate the mind. When trick training be sure to watch out for frustration if the dog gets something wrong multiple times their likely to get frustrated and bored, always end on a high note.

jobs
by: Anonymous

Our Australian Shepherd actually found his own job without any help from us. We had a 8 year old Lab mix when Roscoe was born. From the time he was a puppy he bonded with our Lab mix and has made it his job to take care of him. Our lab is now 11 and has trouble letting us know when he needs to go outside and Roscoe actually comes to get us to let us know our Lab needs to go out. He then takes him all the way around our yard then brings him back inside. I've even seen him go as far as to pull a blanket over him when it's cold in the house. It's absolutely wonderful. Although the fits Roscoe throws when we accidentally separate the two of them is awful. Haha. My only worry is what might happen when our lab passes away.

Aussie Job
by: Anonymous

To keep my aussie stimilated I had my him study accounting at UMD and he now has a full time position at H&R. It keeps him focused but the monotony can sometimes drain him as he often comes home in a bad mood. In this case it's best to avoid him until he's had some rest. Before he got his degree in accounting he worked construction for a few years but found that working for the city was unrewarding and inefficient. He plans to open his own small accounting firm sometime next year once he attains his CPA.

Good one
by: Anonymous

"To keep my aussie stimilated I had my him study accounting at UMD and he now has a full time position at H&R. It keeps him focused but the monotony can sometimes drain him as he often comes home in a bad mood. In this case it's best to avoid him until he's had some rest. Before he got his degree in accounting he worked construction for a few years but found that working for the city was unrewarding and inefficient. He plans to open his own small accounting firm sometime next year once he attains his CPA."

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! That's hilarious.

Destructive Aussie
by: Robin

I have a 1 year old mini, and she is tearing my house, shoes, underwear, anything she can get her teeth on apart.. Even the sheetrock on my walls. IM OVER IT. She is such a sweetheart, but Im just at my end. I also have two toy schnauzers and I put them all outside every day and let them in when I get in from work. They are in a fenced in back yard and I live close to a highway so I wont let her out. I believe she is bored, but even when im home and we are all inside, she will chew things up. I dont know if she is unhappy or what. But something has to give. ANY SUGGESTIONS????

Ideas to having a happy Aussi
by: Anonymous

My mini Aussi loves playing catch and that tires her out. She also goes on two short walks a day. Even on short drives we take her. We are a busy family constantly on the go. We have three active kids in sports, and my husband and I both work. Coco is alone during the day, and I have had no destruction thus far. I make sure as soon as I get home from work that I take her on a short walk and allow her plenty of yard time actually playing with her. Fetch is her favorite. They want and need that individual attention. She loves doing tricks also for small treat rewards such as sit, paw, five, rollover, and speak. I noticed with this breed that they need to feel wanted and included. They are also a member of the family literally. Therefore, on outdoor events in the community, or sporting events with my kids she comes right along. They are a very social dog, and I love how affectionate she is with new people. I think all this positive energy allows positive behavior when she is alone during the day.

Australian Shepherd Jobs
by: Jeana

My first Aussie found his own job. He took on watching over my youngest daughter (she was 4 at the time) and did a great job of it. Now that I have a new Aussie puppy and my youngest daughter is 17 I'm also having the challenge of finding jobs for her. I take her for a walk, do 30 minutes of training then give her food dispensing puzzles. And after all that she sits there a looks at me like "what's next"?

Australian Shepard Dog Job
by: Anonymous

One idea is digging. The dogs can dig so their owner can plant a tree or something.

Frisbee fun
by: Chris

I have a 50/50 Australian Shepherd and Labrador mix named Stanley. He loves to catch the frisbee and bring straight back to me. We do this for about 10 minutes, two times a day; likely twenty to thirty throws per session. And from my past years of playing ultimate frisbee, I can assure you that catching a sixty yard throw mid-air on most throws is not out of the norm during the ten minute exercise routine. My wife does the same, but with an extended arm tennis ball launcher. We also have three cats that Stanley loves to socialize with and wake us up when one of the cats needs to be let in during the night. Would by a sheep or two if living in the country.

@Robyn
by: Bethany

Hey Robyn,

Saw your comment. Maybe I didn't get a clear picture from your post, but letting your Aussie out in your yard during the workday is not enough to stimulate an Aussie. They're very active, and turn destructive if their energy isn't addressed. Do you take your Aussie for walks every day? Or play frisbeeor ball outside every day? We have to do this 3x a day to really keep our Aussies happy. We've also taught them tricks and bought puzzle toysfor the dogs. On days when we both work at the office, we leave them at a doggy daycarefor both mental and physical exercise. Our oldest still needs more mental stimulation, so we're trying out baby toys as a higher level of puzzle and herding balls as a game. Maybe give one or two of these a try as a start, plus with walking 20 minutes a day and see if her behavior turns around. Good luck! They really are the best dogs!!

Sincerely,
Bethany

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