Australian Shepherds are intelligent, quick, agile, and active dogs who live to delight their owners. But, they’re not suitable for novice owners. If you’re considering buying the dog or adopting one Australian Shepherd, you’ll need to learn to regularly tolerate pushing, barking, nudging and nipping. Barking can be an issue that can disrupt your family life. Though they may exhibit these traits, Australian Shepherds can be diverse in their behavior. Some dogs are highly active and hyperactive, whereas others show a calmer temperament more peaceful demeanor. What should you do if you suspect that your Aussie is in the first group? Learn more.
The root of the behavior
Breed to herd livestock in the 19th century, Australian Shepherds are overall intelligent, adaptable, and easy to train. If you’re an active and enthusiastic owner of your own, then the Australian Shepherd can “fit you like a glove.” If you’re dealing with an energetic dog, it is essential to consider all of its inherent behavioral characteristics. Let’s face it. It’s part of the deal with the nature of the territory. Because they are dogs that work, Australian Shepherds are most content when they have a task to complete. They are bred to be a stern boss over livestock for an extended period and are accustomed to keeping their environment in order. When your leadership and command are not strong enough or lacking entirely, the Aussie will be the first to take direction. Australian Shepherds excel at sporting events like flyball, agility, and frisbee as a herding breed with a high prey drive. They require constant, rigorous training and exercise to keep them active.
Suppose they’re not offered these opportunities and opportunities. Australian Shepherds are known to be loud and aggressive towards strangers, sounds, and even other animals in the hope of getting rid of the excess energy. They may exhibit excessive barking, anxiousness, aggression toward other dogs, and aggression, such as fear-biting or lunging. In addition, they may show the same behavior towards thunderstorms, squirrels, or even a passing car. It is most likely to happen when they’re bored or with lonely family members. Shepherds are incredibly affectionate with humans in their families and have bonds of trust between their pet owners. If they’re not properly socialized in the early years, they may be vulnerable to anxiety about separation, aggression, and timid, scared behavior. To conclude, you must give your Aussie plenty of physical and mental stimulation to aid in their development and decrease the chances of barking that is uncontrollable later in their lives.
Promoting the Behavior
Thus, we’ve established that Australian Shepherds are highly demanding dogs who require constant physical activity and mental stimulation. They also demand attention and time and would like to be at their owners’ side 24 hours all day, seven days per week. How can you maintain their inherent enthusiasm and energy? You must ensure that they keep their body and mind engaged constantly. That’s the first thing to consider for those who own one of the Australian Shepherd. Offer your pet between 30 and 60 minutes of vigorous daily training and exercise to help him avoid any undesirable behavior. Playtime, obedience training, and long walks are great for the independent Aussie.
They want to demonstrate excellent leadership skills and be aware of what they are expected to do. Aussie who thinks that they are the head in their human “pack” is typically overly stressed, which is not what they need to be and could begin in the direction of “boss” the humans of the family. Therefore, take control of the current situation, and take control of their barking habits and unruly behavior by ensuring that they are constantly led and receiving proper training. Obedience classes and agility training are great options to reduce the breed’s natural tendency to bark and improve the confidence and communication between you and them.
Other Options and Solutions
If you are trying to deter your Aussie from barking excessively, it is not a good idea to use punishment. Many pet owners believe that by employing punishment methods, they can aid in resolving their dog’s behavior. However, the strategies for tackling aggression are often a disaster and can result in a negative outcome. A few of these strategies include spike collars and choke collars, or shock collars that can cause fear and even aggression. The methods that work will take a lot of energy and perseverance, for instance, Positive reinforcement. An example is to praise and reward your dog every time he takes some time to quieten and calm his thoughts or when he finally stops barking.
How to train the Australian Shepherd to Not Bark
You might be aware that dogs, just like humans, love to speak. The main distinction is that they communicate through barking. If you’re Australian Shepherd barks seemingly incessantly, it’s far too easy to think that your dog is just barking to hear his voice. It could be that your dog is barking to show manipulation since he is aware that the more often he barks, the more likely you will be to cave in and allow the dog what he wants.
Making this mistake is an unexpected error. When you begin this route, the dog will start barking and bark more often to get what he is looking for. There are, of course, instances that your dog may be barking for a legitimate reason, like to alert you to some issue, when he’s very anxious when you’re playing, or simply bored. It is essential to recognize the difference and only try to deter your dog from barking when it is not a reason to make any noise.
Defining Tasks
Everyone doesn’t want an animal that barks incessantly. It’s not just annoying for the dog, but you could bet that your dog is irritating the majority of the people you share your street with. The goal is to teach your dog that, although there are times when it’s acceptable when he barks, most of the time, he will need to keep his mouth shut and provide everyone with a bit of calm and peace.
Be aware that the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark frequently, making it more challenging to make him stop barking unless you provide him with the command speak or in a situation where he has to bark to warn you.
Getting Started
If you’re working towards more advanced training before beginning, make sure your puppy has learned the four most basic commands: ‘sit,’ ‘stay down,’ and ‘come.’ training your dog in these essential commands assists in establishing your role as the leader in the group. Keep in mind that your dog views his family of humans as his pack, and he must be aware of his position within the group right from the beginning. You require a large bag of your dog’s favorite snacks, plenty of time, and patience.
3 Ways to Teach the Australian Shepherd to Not Bark too much
Method of Caught You Caught You Method
Step 1: You’ll have to eat treats
It is essential to begin every session by giving him pockets of your pet’s favorite treats. You’ll be using them to reward your dog when he does things correctly.
STEP 2: Do you hear?
If your pet decides to have an exaggerated bark, let him loose. However, you’ll need to keep a check on your pet.
STEP 3: When he ceases to use
In time your dog is likely to become bored of hearing him bark. It is important to greet him whenever he barks, with lots of praise and treats. Repeat this throughout the following days, teaching your puppy to understand why you stopped barking and getting a reward.
STEP 4: Be quiet
These are the perfect opportunity for you to explain your favorite cue phrase, “Quiet,” to your pet. Begin by letting him start barking. When he stops barking, you can say “Quiet” in a loud, commanding voice. Repeat until he can associate the command “Quiet” with controlling the barking and receiving a prize. Offer him lots of praise and a reward or two.
STEP 5: Continues Training
To permanently embed this behavior in his mind, keep the practice going and gradually increase the time between the moment he stops and when you offer him the reward. It may take some time, but the peace and tranquility will be well enough to be worth the effort.
The Tell Me About It Method
STEP 1: On the leash once more
Leash your pet’s clip in this way, and it can help you keep control of your pet during training sessions.
STEP 2: Tell me everything about it
Use an authoritative, firm voice. This method assumes that you’ve trained the dog how to bark at commands. Then, give your dog the speak command, and then let him begin to bark. If he starts to bark, make sure you immediately provide the control ‘quiet.’
STEP 3: Could you wait for it?
Watch for your dog to stop barking at him on his own. When he stops, reward him with treats and lots of praise. Try this for a couple of days.
STEP 4: More time
Now that your dog is aware you’ll give him an incentive whenever he stops barking, you should use this and begin to extend the period between when he stops barking, and the time you offer him treats.
STEP 5: Keep working
The last step of this course is to continue working with your dog until he ceases to bark until you have permitted him or he feels the situation urgent enough that he must alert you.
The Show Him Your Back Method
STEP 1: Treats first
Before you begin training your dog, it is essential to fill at minimum one of the pockets with your dog’s most loved snacks.
STEP 2: Right on the spot
There are likely areas of your yard or the house that make your pet start barking continuously. Go to one of these areas and spend some time together.
STEP 3: Hello, are you?
When your dog decides to go into a barking tangent, turn your back towards him and avoid the sound.
STEP 4: Silence is gold
In time, your puppy will stop barking. And when it does, be there with plenty of praise and perhaps a sweet treat.
STEP 5: Press repeat
The remaining part is the repetition of the lesson and gradually increasing the amount of time long it will take him to wait for his reward. With time, your dog will know when he is allowed to and when he can’t be allowed to bark.
