All Australian Shepards need to be trained! It is important to install discipline in them and teach them how to harness their energy. And, they absolutely love to learn.
As already mentioned, Aussies are one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs and their minds need stimulation. They really enjoy the mental exercise that comes with learning new things. Australian Shepards are extremely fast learners. Some people report house training them within a few days! They quickly pick up basic commands like sit, stay, shake, lay down, roll over, fetch, come, and more. With a little work, they can learn to master even the most advanced commands and cool tricks. The process of training is important in establishing a relationship between you and your pet.
Praise and positive reinforcement work really well with the Aussie. Remember, they are eager to please. And they will do anything for food. I’ve heard of people using cereal ranging from Cheerios to Captain Crunch : ) They love it.
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, if you do not allow channels for your Australian Shepard it will manifest itself in problem behaviors that include chewing, digging, climbing, jumping, and more.
Aussies are also notorious nippers and sometimes nipping can be a problem. They don’t mean any harm though. It’s natural for dogs to nip. Dogs take in the world with their mouth. Using their mouth is as important as us using our hands and eyes. For Aussies, nipping is just a way to interact, communicate, explore, and be playful. Sometimes, this playing can be too rough for humans, especially with kids, so Aussies need to be trained bite inhibition so they can know what is on and off limits. For details on training check out the best dog training program.
This is the dog obedience training program that I always recommend. It is without question, the most comprehensive course around. The important thing is that it delivers outstanding results. Aussies respond really well to it. Sit Stay Fetch also offers a FREE training course.