Mary Allen
Introduction to Australian Shepherd Training
Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and energetic dogs that require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Training is a great way to provide this stimulation and create a strong bond between you and your dog. Start training your Australian Shepherd as early as possible, using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior. Consistency is key, so be sure to train regularly and reinforce good behavior every time you see it.
Basic Commands for Australian Shepherds
Before you can teach your Australian Shepherd any tricks, you’ll need to make sure they have mastered some basic commands. These include sit, stay, come, and heel. Start by teaching your dog to sit on command, using a treat to lure them into position. Once they have mastered this, move on to the other commands, gradually phasing out the use of treats as your dog becomes more confident.
Teaching Australian Shepherds to Sit
To teach your Australian Shepherd to sit, hold a treat above their head and move it slowly towards their tail. Their natural instinct will be to follow the treat with their head, causing them to sit down. As soon as they do, say "sit" and give them the treat. Repeat this several times until they start to associate the word "sit" with the action. Gradually phase out the use of treats, rewarding them with praise and affection instead.
How to Train Australian Shepherds to Stay
The "stay" command is a useful one to teach your Australian Shepherd, as it can help keep them safe in potentially dangerous situations. Start by having your dog sit, then say "stay" while holding your hand out in front of them. Take a step back, then immediately return and reward them with a treat if they have stayed in place. Gradually increase the distance and duration of the stay, always rewarding good behavior.
Teaching Australian Shepherds to Come
The "come" command is essential for keeping your Australian Shepherd under control and preventing them from running off. Start by calling your dog’s name and saying "come" in an upbeat tone of voice. When they come to you, reward them with praise and a treat. Gradually increase the distance and distractions, always rewarding good behavior.
Australian Shepherd Training: Heel Command
The "heel" command teaches your Australian Shepherd to walk calmly beside you on a leash. Start by holding a treat in your hand and walking with your dog on a loose leash. When they start to pull ahead, say "heel" and turn around, walking in the opposite direction. Reward them when they come back to your side and repeat this until they start to understand the command.
Australian Shepherd Tricks: High-Five
The high-five is a fun and easy trick to teach your Australian Shepherd. Start by holding a treat in your hand and holding it up towards your dog’s paw. When they raise their paw to reach for the treat, say "high-five" and give them the treat. Repeat this several times until they start to understand the command, then gradually phase out the use of treats.
Roll Over: Teaching Australian Shepherds
Teaching your Australian Shepherd to roll over is a more advanced trick, but it can be a lot of fun. Start by having your dog lie down, then holding a treat in your hand and moving it slowly towards their shoulder. Their natural instinct will be to follow the treat with their head, causing them to roll over. As soon as they do, say "roll over" and reward them with the treat. Repeat this several times until they start to associate the command with the action.
Australian Shepherd Training: Speak Command
The "speak" command can be useful for alerting you to potential dangers, but it can also be a fun trick to show off to your friends. Start by saying "speak" in an upbeat tone of voice, then barking or making a noise to encourage your dog to do the same. When they start barking, reward them with praise and a treat. Gradually phase out the use of the noise, rewarding them for barking on command.
How to Train Australian Shepherds to Fetch
Most Australian Shepherds love to play fetch, so this can be a great way to bond with your dog and provide them with exercise and mental stimulation. Start by throwing a toy or ball for your dog to fetch, then rewarding them with praise and a treat when they bring it back. Gradually increase the distance and distractions, always rewarding good behavior.
Australian Shepherd Tricks: Play Dead
Teaching your Australian Shepherd to play dead can be a fun and impressive trick. Start by having your dog lie down, then saying "bang" and pointing your finger at them like a gun. When they roll onto their side, reward them with praise and a treat. Gradually increase the duration of the trick, always rewarding good behavior.
Advanced Australian Shepherd Training: Agility
Agility training is a great way to challenge your Australian Shepherd both mentally and physically. This involves teaching them to navigate an obstacle course, including jumps, tunnels, and weave poles. Start with simple obstacles and gradually increase the difficulty, always rewarding good behavior. This can be a fun and rewarding activity for both you and your dog, and can even lead to competition-level agility training.