Australian shepherds are good at herding dogs.When thoroughly trained, they are very smart.Rewarding good behavior is one of the things you should focus on when training an Australian shepherd.Your Australian shepherd will be a wonderful companion for a long time.
Step 1: Start socializing your dog at an early age.
Dogs that are socialized early are better able to interact with a wide variety of people.Your dog can interact with a wide variety of people if you take it to a lot of different places.Showing your dog that strangers and new places are fun and exciting is an important part of raising a well-rounded dog.You can socialize your dog by taking it to a friend's house, walking it in a neighborhood other than your own, and going to places that allow dogs.If you have an Australian shepherd puppy, it's best to start socializing when they are 7 weeks old.A dog goes through a prime socializing period between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months.If a dog has not been socialized during the prime period between 7 weeks old and 4 months old, that does not mean it can't be socialized.It will be harder to get your dog used to a wide variety of people and places.
Step 2: Reward based training principles can be practiced.
Australian shepherds thrive with reward-based training that promotes good behavior.Instead of punishing unwanted behavior, this type of training motivates the dog to complete desired behavior by giving it praise or rewards when it does what you want it to do.With reward-based training, you reward a dog for completing tasks you want it to do, such as sitting when asked, coming when called, and going to the bathroom outside in a timely manner.Purchase high-value treats at your local pet supply store.
Step 3: Consider training your dog with a clicker.
Clicker training uses a sound to indicate to the dog when a command has been completed.Australian shepherds will undergo extensive training if they use this form of communication.The trainer gives a verbal command first.The trainer will give the dog a treat when he completes the command.This sound at the moment of completion clearly tells the dog that they did what they were asked to do, whereas simply giving treats can be seen as a reward for previous actions.
Step 4: Sit and lay down are some of the basic commands your dog should be trained to perform.
Establishing communication with your dog about what you want it to do is the most difficult part of training.Wait until the dog is about to do what you want it to, such as sitting, and then say the word you would like to use for that command.Give the dog a treat after you said the word.After you say the word "sit", give it praise or a treat.Your dog will learn to connect the word you say with its actions if you keep repeating it.Praise the dog for its good behavior.Australian shepherds are intelligent and highly motivated.When training them, this will work to their advantage.You can use treats to get your dog to do something.You can raise a treat above your dog's head to get him to sit down.Say "sit" when he sits to label the behavior.
Step 5: Training sessions can be short.
You don't force dogs to do long, drawn-out training sessions if you give them consistent training.It's a good idea to do a training session with your dog every day, but only for 15 to 20 minutes.Short, focused training sessions don't set you and the dog up for failure.It can be frustrating for a dog to lose interest and focus during a long training session.Take a few minutes to play with the dog after the training session is over.The dog will be more eager to do the sessions in the future if this ends the training session on a good note.
Step 6: You should keep your commands consistent.
Clear communication is important when training a dog.Always use the same word for each command and pick a specific word to teach it.It's important to say the word in the same way every time because of the volume and pronunciation.Pick a consistent command phrase when trying to get your dog to go to the bathroom.Don't say "go to the bathroom" one time and then the next.Different words can confuse a dog.The tone of a command can change if you get frustrated.A kind and happy "sit" can sound different to a dog.Consistency in your commands will allow your dog to respond to you more reliably.
Step 7: Work on a lot of commands.
Australian shepherds thrive when they are continually taught more and more commands.Put your dog in a stance.To come, teach it to stay.Also teach it to lie down and shake hands.You should always reinforce your training on older commands when teaching new commands.It is important to refresh the dog's recollection of its commands.
Step 8: Advanced skills can be broken into parts.
If you want to train your Australian shepherd to do complicated skills, you need to teach it one piece at a time.Show the dog how to do each piece separately, give them treats and praise when they complete it, and gradually fit the skills together.If you want to train an Australian shepherd to run through an agility course, you will need to teach each part of the course separately.It will need to learn how to do jumps, then go through tunnels, and so on until it can do each part on its own.The parts can be put together once the dog has them down.Australian shepherds are very smart and physical dogs, so many of them thrive at complicated skills that take time to learn.
Step 9: Be aware of bad behavior before it happens.
Australian shepherds are notorious.If they are not an actual working dog, you will want to teach them not to do this.When an Australian shepherd is about to herd, it will exhibit certain behaviors.It may bark at you or sniff a person's heels before herding them.The time to interrupt the dog's actions is when you see the behaviors that typically mark the start of herding.Taking the time to analyze a dog's actions over time is the easiest way to anticipate herding behavior.You can identify how bad behaviors start by watching how they develop.
Step 10: It's time to stop herding behaviors.
It is important to stop bad behavior so that your dog knows that it is not ok.If your dog starts herding before you say "no" and walk away, stop that behavior immediately.The dog should not be punished or frightened.The goal is to make it clear that their behavior is not acceptable.The dog will assume that herding is ok in some instances if you let it occur once in awhile but stop it other times.It will be confused about when it can do it.
Step 11: Don't let your dog's energy go to waste.
If your dog starts to herd, the best way to stop it is to get it to do something else.If you see the first signs of herding, immediately start playing or exercise.Australian shepherds need a lot of exercise every day so redirecting with exercise is a good idea.If they are not allowed to run and play outside, their energy will be diverted towards bad behaviors.Taking them to a dog park where they can run around with other dogs will give them a consistent amount of exercise.
Step 12: Think about professional training.
If you can't get your Australian shepherd to stop herding you or other people, you may need professional help.Consistency and expertise in animal behavior can be provided by a professional dog trainer.Talk to your friends and family who have used a trainer to find a professional in your area.You can find professional dog trainers in your area by searching online.