If you’re searching for a smart, beautiful, active, and hard-working dog, look no further than an Australian Shepherd. However, don’t be surprised if the package includes some other characteristics as well. As the name suggests, shepherd dog breeds were created to gather, herd, and protect livestock. That means the Australian Shepherd possesses the instinctive skill and drive to control the movement of other animals. Unfortunately, "other animals" means the humans in the house, too, to most Australian Shepherds. On the farm, Aussies circle around the cattle or sheep and move them in a desired direction. They may also nip or bark to move stubborn livestock.
If you’ve ever seen an Australian Shepherd herding livestock, you know how awesome their abilities can be. Those abilities are not trained in the Australian Shepherd breed. Rather, they come instinctually. Take this video of Australian Shepherd puppies trying to herd a Maltese dog for example. While this type of instinctual behavior is very helpful on a farm, it can be very irritating when it is directed at you at home. If your Australian Shepherd is baking at or circling you, or nipping at your heels, it is attempting to herd you. To stop this herding behavior, your Aussie will need to be trained. Otherwise, your dog may continue to view you as livestock and treat you as such. In this article, you'll learn how to stop your Australian Shepherd from herding in 8 steps.
Step 1. Start training your Australian Shepherd
To keep your Aussie from herding, you'll need to have control over its behavior. The first phase of training should involve teaching your Aussie to sit, stay, look, and lie down. You can then move on to more advanced training once your dog has learned these basic commands. Fortunately, Australian Shepherds are generally very smart and quick learners. Basic training should be enough to eliminate the herding behavior, provided your Aussie only herds every once in a while. You ought to be able to direct your Aussie to stop and sit if it begins herding behavior. Alternatively, you can get your dog to look at something else to distract it.
Step 2. Move on to advanced training
You can move on to more advanced training once your Australian Shepherd has the basics down. One advanced training involves getting your Aussie's attention at any moment and having it perform different behaviors on command. In most cases, Aussie owners use clicker training when doing advanced training with their canines. This training involves getting your Aussie to respond to the sound of a clicker when you want it to do something. A clicker can make positive reinforcement training more efficient, according to the AKC. If your Australian Shepherd responds appropriately, then it gets positive reinforcement, such as a treat. This is to reinforce the behavior. The video below teaches how to train your dog with a clicker.
Step 3. Reinforce your Australian Shepherd's training
Training an Aussie that has a very strong herding instinct to stop herding isn't always a cinch. In addition, it will be a long-term work. In other words, you need to commit to continued training, consistently reinforcing that training over time. Herding dog breeds generally thrive more when they are consistently trained and your Aussie is no exception. A commitment to training your Aussie will eliminate unwanted behavior. Additionally, it will give the dog something to focus its energy on.
Step 4. Before the behavior occurs, stop it
You should be able to figure out when the herding behavior is about to occur once you've seen your Aussie do it repeatedly. For example, it could be that your Aussie barks right before it is about to herd. Or, that it sniffs at your or your children's heels before it nips. The bottom line is to figure out how to spot the sign and then intervene immediately when you see it happen. Knowing when the behavior is about to occur allows you to redirect your dog's attention before it starts to herd. Try to redirect your Australian Shepherd's attention with the "look" command. Or, with its favorite toy. However, it's not a good idea to give your dog a treat, as this could simply reinforce the herding behavior.
Step 5. Exercise your Australian Shepherd
Constructively channeling your Aussie's boundless energy through exercise before it has a chance to herd will minimize its desire to do it. Your Aussie should have a fenced-in yard to run around in for at least two hours daily. However, this will usually require some sort of interaction from you, as just letting your dog out into its yard will not motivate it to exercise. In fact, for strong herding breeds, such as the Australian Shepherd, a short walk will not be sufficient daily exercise. Your dog needs to run daily to get its energy out. Aussies love to accompany their humans on long walks or, better yet, hikes. Try committing to exercising with your Aussie regularly, which could include going on a jog or running with it, whatever will tire it out.
Step 6. Train your Australian Shepherd to do a different activity
Most Aussies exhibit an irresistible impulse to herd, anything including birds, dogs, and kids. If this sounds like your dog, you can usually redirect them toward a similar activity that is not as annoying, whether that is agility work, time trials, disc catching, or other competitive dog activities. Most Aussies love agility work and catching a frisbee, so yours will likely love them. Training your Aussie to do one of these activities will redirect them from herding. The most important thing is to find an activity that your Aussie enjoys.
Step 7. Give your Australian Shepherd a job in the house
Aussies possess a strong work drive, therefore the best course is to give them a job. In some cases, Aussies continually try to herd their owners despite being given enough exercise. Moreover, it’s unrealistic to expect your Aussie to never exhibit any herding instincts, says the AKC. If this sounds like your dog, then it may be willing to take on a different job in the house. Because Australian Shepherds are generally so trainable, which is what makes them good at the job of herding, your dog can be trained to do a different job. Instead of herding you and your family, consider training your Aussie to do small tasks around the house. These could include bringing you specific items, turning lights on and off, or finding items that you often misplace. Take this video of an Australian Shepherd helping his owner after a hard day at work for example.
Step 8. Consider hiring a professional dog trainer
You may want to enlist the help of a professional dog trainer if you are unable to train your Aussie well enough to stop the herding behavior. Through positive reinforcement and repetition, a professional dog trainer should be able to change your Aussie's behavior. You may need to follow the trainer's instructions even when they are not around.
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