Dog Training and Behavior

[lovesfarms]

I agree!! It's half the battle won... And sometimes more! But not just dogs... Humans to! You become more compassionate if you train yourself to think why did that person do that, rather then react negatively yourself. I worked in a hospital and retirement village and my supervisor said I was born with the ability to work with all the trouble makers!
But I wasn't. I got into the habit of thinking.. Why did she throw her toast across the room?.. Why won't he eat? If you can figure out the why-it's so much easier to find the solution!

 

[CharcoalDragon]

Yeah, I think a lot of people just get them and huskies, etc. because they’re cute or popular or whatever but don’t really know what they’re getting into haha

That said though, I think a well bred one from a good breeder and also well trained should be relatively calm and have a good “off switch” in the house haha

They do need a lot of exercise, for sure. But I don’t think necessarily 10 miles. I think they’d be fine with like 2-3 hours maybe similar to the retrievers.

Border Collies and Mals are for sure a totally different ball park and I don’t think I could own or handle one of those either hahah but I don’t think you should dismiss Aussies quite yet and I think you could handle one.

My cousin had one and they’re really not “dog people” as much and didn’t really do anything with him but he was still great and amazing with their kids. SIL has one growing up too.
I understand being cautious and not jumping right into something if you’re not sure, etc. I do the same thing. Tell myself I can’t handle a certain dog or whatever. But honestly, considering how many people just get them and do absolutely nothing with them, the fact that you would be actively working with them, whether that’s teaching it tricks, or playing fetch, or hikes, or whatever, would be a lot more than most of them get and I think they would be fine with that.

I think the biggest thing with them is just having a job to do, which tricks can be that for them.

I am stuck between a Golden or an Aussie for my next dog and I think they are similar in a lot of ways, though of course different too. But I think you could handle one. No way I would ever run 10 miles every day either but we have almost 3 acres, chickens, and I’m planning on training tons as well as doing some dog sports. I want to try agility and nosework and then possibly rally or obedience or something. And of course trick training. We also have tons of areas around to go for hour plus long walks as well as hikes. And I think a couple long walks a day, or even being allowed to run around off leash on those walks, plus the training will be more than enough for one.

@oldhenlikesdogs has had them for years and could probably tell you more haha

I hear that- 100% that some people should not have certain breeds, and you can DEFINITELY tell. Can point to family examples too...
Really, at the end of the day, it's about doing what's right by the dog. You definitely hit the nail on the head by saying I don't want to jump into anything without thought.

Yeah, we don't have much property, we live in the suburb, so our entire property is a quarter acre (including the house). Not much room for doggies to run. We do a pretty good job with running our rescue into the ground, but I think about that Aussie-puppy energy and get a headache.
We're hoping to bring home a Shiloh Shepherd early next year. Should be the perfect temperament, energy, and aesthetics for us.

Do you have any videos, pictures, or training you'd like to share? I'd love to see.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I hear that- 100% that some people should not have certain breeds, and you can DEFINITELY tell. Can point to family examples too...
Really, at the end of the day, it's about doing what's right by the dog. You definitely hit the nail on the head by saying I don't want to jump into anything without thought.

Yeah, we don't have much property, we live in the suburb, so our entire property is a quarter acre (including the house). Not much room for doggies to run. We do a pretty good job with running our rescue into the ground, but I think about that Aussie-puppy energy and get a headache.
We're hoping to bring home a Shiloh Shepherd early next year. Should be the perfect temperament, energy, and aesthetics for us.

Do you have any videos, pictures, or training you'd like to share? I'd love to see.

Yeah for sure! And it’s really sad I guess that’s why there’s so many young dogs in rescue

And that’s smart!! More than most can say. Myself, I love to research so I’m always reading about breeds or training or whatever or if I can handle them. Most people just see a cute or popular breed and decide they have to have it.

That makes sense though!! I think it’s definitely different with less property! Have to get more creative haha I’m definitely lucky in not only having that space but also in the fact that there’s tons of awesome walking areas just right out my front door haha and most allow off leash dogs and there’s running and swimming haha so I guess I’m lucky. Because I don’t have to run to allow the dog to

My brother also lives 2 miles down the street with 3 young dogs of his own haha

I can understand that though! Definitely a lot of work the first few years hahah but then it gets easier so maybe eventually!

That’s awesome though!! Those are nice dogs.

And I’ll have to find some! Haha I don’t have a dog of my own atm but I see my brother’s 3 a lot and I also dog walk/pet sit hahah

 

[ShrekDawg]

The 3 in my avatar are my brother’s 3 haha

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My Aussies have never been hyper. I do keep multiple dogs and they tire each other out running and wrestling.

Aussies are funny dogs. They are smart, sensitive, and they love a good joke. They are thinking dogs, bred to work on their own, so they come up with some silly ideas sometimes.

I've had 4 Aussies and not one has been hyper, or destructive, nor have they required what I think of as a lot of exercise. They are personable dogs. They always wanting to be with you. They are easy to teach as long as you make it fun and interesting. They aren't a breed that will do the military type of drilling of orders. They will find a way to make you laugh.

That being said they can be strong willed, but shouldn't be strong armed or their spirit will break. I'd take an Aussie over a husky any day. Thankfully there's lot of breeds so everyone can find something that fits their lifestyle.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I agree!! It's half the battle won... And sometimes more! But not just dogs... Humans to! You become more compassionate if you train yourself to think why did that person do that, rather then react negatively yourself. I worked in a hospital and retirement village and my supervisor said I was born with the ability to work with all the trouble makers!
But I wasn't. I got into the habit of thinking.. Why did she throw her toast across the room?.. Why won't he eat? If you can figure out the why-it's so much easier to find the solution!

This is amazing!! I find humans, especially children, and dogs are often remarkably similar and you can teach them in much the same ways and apply the concepts across multiple species.

 

[ShrekDawg]

My Aussies have never been hyper. I do keep multiple dogs and they tire each other out running and wrestling.

Aussies are funny dogs. They are smart, sensitive, and they love a good joke. They are thinking dogs, bred to work on their own, so they come up with some silly ideas sometimes.

I've had 4 Aussies and not one has been hyper, or destructive, nor have they required what I think of as a lot of exercise. They are personable dogs. They always wanting to be with you. They are easy to teach as long as you make it fun and interesting. They aren't a breed that will do the military type of drilling of orders. They will find a way to make you laugh.

That being said they can be strong willed, but shouldn't be strong armed or their spirit will break. I'd take an Aussie over a husky any day. Thankfully there's lot of breeds so everyone can find something that fits their lifestyle.

They really do sound like amazing dogs!! And this is an amazing description of them so thank you.

I think it’s funny you mention the sense of humor and that they don’t do military type command drills or whatever because that’s perfect hahah I don’t want or need a robot dog or whatever. Just a friend and companion who also happens to listen if I need him to but not because I’m making him or drilling him or whatever.

I’m sure a Mal or maybe even a Border Collie ??? Would climb up the Empire State Building for you and then come back down and do it again 10 more times just because you asked where the Aussie would probably be like no thanks? Or why should I? The BC might do that too maybe? Might be too good for either of them

 

[CharcoalDragon]

Yeah for sure! And it’s really sad I guess that’s why there’s so many young dogs in rescue

And that’s smart!! More than most can say. Myself, I love to research so I’m always reading about breeds or training or whatever or if I can handle them. Most people just see a cute or popular breed and decide they have to have it.

That makes sense though!! I think it’s definitely different with less property! Have to get more creative haha I’m definitely lucky in not only having that space but also in the fact that there’s tons of awesome walking areas just right out my front door haha and most allow off leash dogs and there’s running and swimming haha so I guess I’m lucky. Because I don’t have to run to allow the dog to

My brother also lives 2 miles down the street with 3 young dogs of his own haha

I can understand that though! Definitely a lot of work the first few years hahah but then it gets easier so maybe eventually!

That’s awesome though!! Those are nice dogs.

And I’ll have to find some! Haha I don’t have a dog of my own atm but I see my brother’s 3 a lot and I also dog walk/pet sit hahah

Your brother's dogs (in your picture) are super cute. 10/10 would pet. I'm partial to big, fluffy (and/or wolflike) dogs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They really do sound like amazing dogs!! And this is an amazing description of them so thank you.

I think it’s funny you mention the sense of humor and that they don’t do military type command drills or whatever because that’s perfect hahah I don’t want or need a robot dog or whatever. Just a friend and companion who also happens to listen if I need him to but not because I’m making him or drilling him or whatever.

I’m sure a Mal or maybe even a Border Collie ??? Would climb up the Empire State Building for you and then come back down and do it again 10 more times just because you asked where the Aussie would probably be like no thanks? Or why should I? The BC might do that too maybe? Might be too good for either of them

That's exactly right. An Aussie will be like, "Why we doing this again?" A border collie will ask "How many more times you want, boss?"

My oldest Aussie needs to take daily pills. When we started it was a struggle to pry her mouth open and stuff pills in her. There's no way she's willing taking anything with pills in it. She's too smart. I was getting very frustrated. I finally sat down and had a talk with her about it. I explained it all. Than I get the pills, told her what each pill was for. She let me open her mouth and give her the pills. Now I explain what they are for each time, and I throw in an extra hotdog piece for "love" as I tell her and she takes them without problems. You can't force an Aussie. They have to agree with you.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Your brother's dogs (in your picture) are super cute. 10/10 would pet. I'm partial to big, fluffy (and/or wolflike) dogs.

Thank you! And me too our last dog was like 140 pounds haha not fluffy though but I love big dogs! Though I love Franklin’s size too. I love his floofy coat hahaha