How should I raise my australian shepherd puppy?

My old aussie would eat a day's worth of food at every setting if I let her. When I got a large auto feeder she ate a lot for 2 wks then less than when I gave her portions. And don't give up on her. It'll take a while.

ChickenGurl15 said:

I have been training her the basics, sit, stay, down, lay down. Should I train her any further than the basics? Right now I'm having a VERY HARD time teaching her not to jump up on the counter or trash can...she doesn't respond to ANY kind of punishment, and keeps looking for food. She is fed more than enough puppy food, but she is food crazy. She eats very fast too!! I don't know how to get her to eat slower and calmer. I think she has an allergy to her natural puppy food... Because afterwards she wont stop scratching her whole body when there is not a flea in sight, and she has horrible body odor. I love the little imp to death, but things keep getting harder. I cant let her off-leash outside, because she eats everything she finds, and doesn't listen all the time when called. I want to play frisbee, or throw her tennis ball for her, but I cant because she runs away to eat chicken poop, or deer poop, or dead mice and voles!! And I don't think she has worms, cuz they don't show in her poop. I'm so lost right now...

Click to expand...

You are doing a great job!! Hang in there.

Things will get better. Then they'll get worse. But then they'll get better again!

If you want to slow her food down some say to put a rock in the food dish, I don't like this idea because they can bite the rock, but maybe try a big soup can. Until she settles down you'll need to control what's on your counter. You could try to scare her by catching her in the act and throwing a can with some pennies in it (without her seeing you). There are more extreme methods involving mousetraps, but that's a last-ditch move (without harming the dog!!).
As far as worms go, you can't diagnose worms by looking at the poop. Mice are notorious for carrying fleas that spread worms. Here's a yucky story; My cat is a good mouser. I never knew she had worms till she sneezed one out of her nose. Gross! Your pup may not have them, but it's pretty cheap to take a fresh sample in to your vet.

Food allergies, too, for the most part need to be diagnosed by a vet. It's more complicated than you think. She may have another kind of allergy - like seasonal - or some kind of contact allergy. Or have mange (which is caused by a mite, and there are different kinds that may require different treatment). This should be checked out by a vet! The earlier you diagnose the less expensive it will be.
As far as eating poop and rodents, she'll get over that in time. If you ever get to try her out herding on sheep, just wait until you see how much sheep poop one dog can eat. Just don't let her lick your face for now

Again, you're doing great! She's going to be a fun dog!

Just remember any herd dog is VERY active. It'll take awhile, but it'll be hard. She'll be better than you can imagine, after she is worse than you want to put up with.

the food that you are feeding may not be agreeing with her. what are you feeding? how much? how many meals a day does she get?

you can spread her meal on a cookie sheet, put it in muffin tins, even spread it on the floor to slow down a dog that inhales their food.

There are also puzzles, food dispensing balls and other toys that will stimulate her brain while feeding her food.

dainerra said:

the food that you are feeding may not be agreeing with her. what are you feeding? how much? how many meals a day does she get?

you can spread her meal on a cookie sheet, put it in muffin tins, even spread it on the floor to slow down a dog that inhales their food.

There are also puzzles, food dispensing balls and other toys that will stimulate her brain while feeding her food.

Click to expand...

Muffin tin! I like that.