Most of dogs lover are worried about are Australian shepherds good with kids? In general, yes -Australian Shepherds can make good family dogs but require certain characteristics:
They are high energy dogs that need daily exercise like walking/playing. Kids must be able to handle the energy. Early and ongoing socialization is key for Aussies to be gentle and patient around children.
Their herding instincts can lead to nipping or chasing kids. Training from a young age is important to curb this behavior.
Aussies bond closely to their owners and yes, Australian shepherds are good with kids. Careful introduction to any new people like babies. Breed lines vary – some have a stronger prey drive not suitable for homes with small pets or young kids.
Australian Shepherd personality
Intelligent and eager to please. High energy breeding as a herding dog.Need mental and physical stimulation daily. Form strong bonds with their human family. Affectionate, loyal companions.
Enjoy engaging in activities with owners. Prone to separation anxiety if left alone often. May exhibit nipping or jumping behaviors if bored or untrained
Without proper exercise and engagement, they can become anxious or exhibit nipping behaviors. However, with ample outlets for their energy and intelligence, Aussies are joyful, friendly companions.
Socialization at a young age is important since they have strong herding instincts and may try to nip at heels. Aussies also usually get along nicely with other pets in the home.
Yes – Australian shepherds are good with kids
Australian Shepherds can make a good family dogs when, but they do require special training.
- Intelligence . Aussies are very smart and want to please their owners. Early and consistent training is important so they learn gentle behavior around kids.
- Energy . They need daily vigorous exercise to burn their energy. A tired Aussie is less likely to accidentally knock over small children. Play is also good mental stimulation.
- Herding instinct . As a working breed, Aussies have a strong drive to “herd” other animals. With young kids this could mean nipping at heels. Training is key to expressing this behavior appropriately.
- Socialization . Early positive exposure to children helps Aussies see them as part of the family rather than something to herd. Gentle guidance on interactions prevents issues.
- Supervision . Like any dog, Aussies still need oversight with young kids until trust and commands are solid. Small children may inadvertently provoke nipping if they don’t know how to properly pet or play with a dog.
With balanced training, Aussies can develop great patience. They enjoy participating in activities with family. Their loyalty makes them inclined to protect children. Just be aware of their energy and herding tendencies so proper precautions are taken in the home. An Aussie raised with kids can become a loving companion.
Facts About Australian Shepherd That You May Not Know
Intelligence
Australian Shepherds are extremely smart. This makes them very trainable from a young age. Their high intelligence means children can teach them basic commands like “sit”, “stay”, “come”, etc. through positive reinforcement training. Mental stimulation is important for Aussies so tasks and tricks provide enrichment for both dog and child.
Energy Level
As herding dogs, Aussies have lots of energy and need vigorous exercise daily, like walks, play time in the yard, or activities like fetch, agility courses, etc. Their energy and playfulness make them suitable companions for active families with children who can burn off energy together. A tired Aussie is less likely to accidentally jump on or knock over young kids with excess energy.
Loyalty and Bonding
Aussies form exceptionally strong bonds with their human “families”, including children. They are very protective and will alert parents to any potential threats to children. Aussies truly enjoy the company of kids and are typically gentle, patient and playful with supervision.
Socialization is Critical
Early positive exposure helps pups see kids as part of the pack from a young age. Guiding proper gentle petting and play prevents nipping or herding behaviors later on. Consistency teaches Aussies to inhibit their natural instincts around children.
Supervision is Still Needed
Even for Australian Shepherds that have been well-trained and socialized around children, supervision is still imperative. Aussies may be gentle and playful with kids, but their herding instincts and energy levels require monitoring.
Young children in particular need to be taught how to safely pet and interact with the dog through gentle touches and calm behavior. Accidental actions like fast movements, pulling fur or tails, or high-pitched screaming could trigger a herding nip from an Aussie.
Ongoing Training
You’re absolutely right that training an Australian Shepherd is an ongoing process, not a one-time thing. Here are some additional tips: Repetition is key for these clever dogs. Go over basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” every day to keep them fresh in your Aussie’s mind.
Ten to fifteen minutes of training a few times a week is a good minimum. Incorporate training into your daily walks and play as well for mental stimulation.
Vary the training locations and distractions. Aussies can over focus on specific cues if training always happens in the same place. Test commands in new environments. As they mature, introduce more advanced commands to challenge them.
Teach tricks, perform obedience routines, or try a canine sport like agility. Ongoing socialization prevents issues down the road. Start young puppies in classes and safely expose them to different people, sights, sounds and animals. Be patient – these dogs are clever problem solvers. Praise successes and don’t punish mistakes to keep training a positive experience.
Aussie Shepherd and Children – Potential Problems
Here are some potential problems to be aware of Australian shepherds are good with kids:
- Herding instincts. Aussies have a strong urge to “herd” which can result in nipping or biting at children’s heels, especially when running/screaming. Early training is key to redirect this behavior.
- Excessive energy. Young or untrained Aussies may accidentally knock over small kids from jumping/running. They need substantial exercise daily to avoid overexcitement.
- Resource guarding. Like any breed, Aussies may guard food, toys or spots on the couch from children if not properly socialized.
- Separation anxiety. The breed is prone to bonding very closely and becoming distressed when separated from their human “flock”, including children.
- No supervision. Aussies should never be left completely unsupervised with young kids who may pull tails/ears or exhibit unsafe behaviors that stress the dog.
- Lack of training. Without obedience lessons, an Aussie’s herding, protective or energetic behaviors may prove challenging around children.
- Overstimulation. Children screaming, crying or moving too hastily could cause an overstimulated Aussie to nip in an attempt to control the situation.
Early training/socialization and maintaining an Aussie exercise/mental needs can help prevent most issues. But supervision is still critical, especially with toddlers.
Tips on how to raise an Australian shepherd with kids
Socialize the puppy through positive interactions and make sure kids are gentle and calm when handling it. As the Aussie and children grow up together, they will become close companions.
Provide the energetic Aussie with plenty of exercise through walks, playtime, and interactive toys. A tired dog is less likely to accidentally knock young ones over through roughhousing. Mental stimulation like training, puzzles and enrichment activities are also key.
Teach children safe ways to pet dogs, respect boundaries, and not disturb the dog when it is eating, sleeping, or chewing toys. They should also ask permission before taking things from the dog. This helps prevent accidental nipping.