How to Take Care of Mini Australian Puppy
Miniature Australian shepherd puppies are extremely intelligent and eager to learn. Many mini Aussie shepherd puppy owners find that caring for and training this popular breed is quite simple and rewarding, as long as they employ a few particular techniques.
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Instructions
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Show your mini Australian shepherd puppy that you are the pack leader. This intelligent breed has a tendency to become headstrong and want to be the boss. Unless you show the pup that you are in control, it will seek dominance and likely display undesirable behavior, such as aggression. To establish your leadership role, always eat before you allow your puppy to do so and run your hands through the kibble so that your scent is on the pup's food. Never move out of the puppy's way; always make the pup move instead. In addition, ignore your puppy when you come home if it doesn't come to greet you. Going to the puppy for a greeting puts you in a submissive position.
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Give your mini Aussie shepherd puppy plenty to do. This intelligent breed can become easily bored, especially when left alone. A bored puppy will often chew on and destroy objects it comes in contact with. Therefore, supply your puppy with plenty of toys. Interactive toys are good for Aussie puppies, as the toy makes the puppy move it in certain ways in order to obtain the treats that are hidden inside. In addition, consider placing your puppy in a crate or contained area when you are not home to prevent destructive behaviors.
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Exercise your miniature Australian shepherd puppy daily. Aussies are extremely active and need an outlet to burn their energy. If that energy is allowed to remain in the puppy, it can become frustrated and destructive. Therefore, once a day walk or jog with your puppy on a leash. In addition, consider enrolling the Aussie puppy in agility and obedience training. Because of their intelligence and athleticism, Aussies often excel in these types of trials and classes.
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Teach your Aussie puppy not to nip at a human's heels. Australian shepherds are herding dogs that tend to herd their owners and families. Unless this behavior is corrected as a puppy, the dog will continue to act in this way as an adult, when it bites harder. Therefore, always say "no" when your puppy nips your heels, then give it a treat when it stops.
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Encourage your Aussie puppy to interact with other animals and humans. Aussies can become nervous, shy and timid around people and pets if they are not exposed to them as puppies. Therefore, enroll your pup in a puppy playgroup and allow your pooch to interact with other humans.
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