Australian Shepherd Rescue
You’ve done your homework. You took the online ‘tests’ to match your personality and lifestyle to a breed. You’ve read all you can find, and called every breed organization, breeder and owner you can unearth. You have had confirmed your suspicion that the Australian Shepherd is as near a perfect dog as the Great Spirit and man could have created. Of course, we devotees feel that way, but before it is too late, there is another side to the ‘perfect’ breed. This side is seldom presented in glossy ads or breeder packets, but needs to be said anyhowbefore it is too late.
DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE FOR ITS LOOKS Striking and unusual colors and markings are usually what attracts the average person to the Aussie. Looks, however, are only a small part of living with an Aussie. The true beauty of the Australian Shepherd shines outward from his character. An Aussie can be a strong guardian of your home and a dog that is not overtly social with people outside of your immediate familyis this something you will enjoy for the 14+ years of an Aussie’s life? Adopt an Aussie because you have researched the breed’s temperament and personality, and think it is something that you could enjoy living with for a long time.
DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE IF YOU LACK TIME TO SPEND WITH HIM/HER Aussies are like a very intelligent child. If you do not keep them occupied (“give them a job”) they will find a job to do. What’s the problem with that, you might ask? You probably won’t like the job they choose. It could consist of re-doing your drip system and/or excavating to China. Aussies need human guidance on a regular basis in order to become a good companion dog or ranch hand.
Aussies can fit in city homes, suburban homes, or country/farm homes, but in all cases need responsible owners that are willing to spend time and energy fulfilling the breed’s high mental and physical activity needs. No matter what the lifestyle, be it an urban pet or a ranch dog, Aussies need to be properly prepared for how they are expected to act. They cannot be left to do this on their own. Socialization and training are a must if you wish to have a dog that can manage well in various situations, such as meeting new people, travelling, interacting with other dogs, and being able to adapt to the many changes that occur on a regular basis in normal human life. Socialization requires thoughtful exposures to many different environments so that the dog will become comfortable anywhere he goes.
Aussies that have not been adequately socialized are often fearful in new situations, and fearful dogs are dangerous dogs. Do not skimp on the socialization. Training is also a necessity if you wish to have a long and happy relationship with your Aussie. Your darling, bouncing Australian Shepherd puppy will grow to be a very powerful adult. Even 35# Australian Shepherds can easily take a large man off their feet in a lunge on a leash.
House manners and basic obedience are the bare minimum this breed needs. Basic obedience includes a SOLID recall, sit, down, stay and walking nicely on a leash. House manners include not only toilet training but also rules regarding furniture, forbidden areas, counter surfing, respect for other household creatures, walking rather than racing, begging at the table, stealing food from kids, greeting guests, resting quietly in a crate, grooming routines, when to bark and when not to. If you have acquired an Aussie as a working dog, remember that although he comes with the basic instinct to do his job, he will not know what that job is unless he is properly directed and trained.
You cannot expect any working dog to magically become a ranch hand unless you have spent the time and effort to guide him into his role. If you do not train him, he will probably become, at best, “just another yard dog”, or at worst, a real nuisance. An enormous reason to thoughtfully prepare your dog for how you wish him to act is his strong guardian instinct. Left unguided, this instinct can lead your Aussie to behave in ways that can get him (and you) in trouble. DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE IF YOU ARE NOT A LEADER Dogs do not view life as a democracy. Dog packs have clear rules, hierarchies and consequences.
Pack leaders lead by posture, predictability, eye contact, and many other subtleties and nuances. Aussies are often forceful personalities that, in the absence of a strong leader, will not hesitate to step into that role.
Establishing and maintaining leadership is a lifetime job that you must take seriously to maintain order in your household with an Aussie as a family member. In addition, your Aussie needs you as a strong leader to help him be relaxed and confident. Being a leader of a human household is a difficult job for an animal! Dogs that do not have clear leaders are often stressed and reactive. DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE IF YOU ARE A ‘NEAT FREAK’ Australian Shepherd are robust, athletic dogs. They get dirty.
They don’t know that you just mopped the floor or that the dead groundhog they just rolled in makes your house reek to high heaven. If you get stressed out if your house is less than totally sanitary, please reconsider getting a dog.
Australian Shepherds shed. They are in the mid-range of the shedding scale, less than a German Shepherd or Husky but more than a Bichon. They usually “blow their coat” about twice a year, and shed undercoat continually. Their type of coat is easily managed by a good brushing twice a week or so, but you will still find lots of hair on your furniture, car upholstery, clothing and floor no matter how often you groom them. DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE IF YOU CAN’T PROVIDE OUTDOOR EXERCISE Australian Shepherd, like many dogs, enjoy the exhilaration of outdoor exercise. This can be walks, jogging, swimming, chasing balls, bike jogging. There is no one formula for how much or how often, but setting aside a daily time will keep you both fitter, build more ‘quality time’ into your relationship, and reduce boredom related misbehavior.
If you have physical limitations, carting, weight pulling, bike jogging etc can suit you both. Keep in mind that forced exercise such as jogging and biking should only be started after the dog’s growth plates have closed, usually at around 1 year of age. Prior to that, forced exercise can lead to permanent damage to bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO FEED AND CARE FOR ONE First some simple premises. Dogs need both preventive vet care and care for disease or accident. Medium to large dogs cost more in anesthesia, boarding, grooming, heartworm meds, neutering. Call the vet practice you think you will be using and prepare a budget.
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Factor in a ‘fudge’ factor for accidents or illnesses that fall outside preventive care and neutering. A figure of $100 per month is not unreasonable. If this is going to strain the budget this is not the time for a dog in your life. Being realistic about this point can be very difficult-but being unable to care for a dog you love is painful too. DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE FOR A FIERCE PROTECTION DOG Most well bred, properly socialized Australian Shepherd will guard their territory and protect their pack (if they feel they are part of a pack.) Managing this trait requires a skilled handler, one who can anticipate what a dog views as a threat.
It can be legally problematic if you own a dog that you have intentionally trained as a protection dog. Most Aussies provide a great deterrent to potential thieves or attackers simply by alarm barking in the home or yard, and there is no need to teach them to make the threat “for real.” Encouraging cross or suspicious behavior in your Aussie can result in terrible accidents with regular visitors to your home. DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE IF YOU JUST WANT A NON-AGGRESSIVE ‘DETERRENT’ The Australian Shepherd standard describes the dog as having ‘strong guardian instinct.’ You can rightfully expect this from even the most peaceable dog.
Dogs with less socialization or weaker characters may also bite if afraid, threatened or demanded of. It is a dead wrong assumption to believe an Aussie will never bite because he is ‘laid back’ or ‘so friendly.’ If your couch potato mistakenly thinks your neighbor’s son is assaulting your son with a baseball bat, or you and your spouse are fighting rather than engaging in horseplay, there may be some ‘intervention.’ Be aware and PREPARED.
DON’T ADOPT AN AUSSIE. if your life and available time is better suited to a goldfish. if your life is unstable in job or location.
if your children’s activities and demands will put the dog’s on ‘hold’. if no one is home 10-14 hrs a day, and the remaining time overbooked. as your first dog. to have a different dog, lawn ornament or trophy of success. if you find it hard to make commitments in your life. because a spouse is pressuring you for a dog you will end up being primary care taker for. for the kids as a ‘playmate.’ If the plain talk about the breed hasn’t discouraged you, you are likely to embark on a most intense, rewarding relationship with a remarkable breed.
The information provided here is the flip side of what living with an intelligent, demanding, enthusiastic dog can be like. As you set out to find your perfect Australian Shepherd, expect to be quizzed by responsible breeders about some of these issues.
You will also be better prepared to notice warning flags with some litters/breeders. After reading this, you will be better prepared to represent yourself, your needs, your situation and a breeder can better select a puppy for you-guaranteeing success for all.
If after reading this you still long for your own wonderful, comical Aussie companionwelcome to the fraternity! Reprinted with permission.
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In 1992, three individuals doing private rescue were brought together by a common vision of rescuing purebred Australian Shepherds. They hoped to gain the support of the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), which would enable them to create a network of volunteers who would be able to save their beloved Aussies on a much larger scale. These dedicated volunteers researched other rescue groups and developed a set of rules, as well as the initial paperwork procedures required — such as contracts, volunteer applications, expenses and reimbursement guidelines. These three rescuers laid a foundation that to this day has helped Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline, (ARPH) maintain its goals and its strength. With their initial plan in hand, the three went to the ASCA Nationals in Bakersfield, CA that same year to present the plan to the Board of Directors of ASCA. The concept was well-received.
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The ASCA Board made some suggestions and the plan was sent to their attorney for additional input. In 1993 at the Nationals in Puyallup, Washington, the volunteers met with the Board again, made final revisions to the plan and then ARPH became the official rescue for ASCA. Once again, the three founding members were faced with more hard work: the relentless task of recruiting and screening ARPH’s representatives and volunteers.
Through their selfless efforts, they succeeded in nurturing ARPH through its infancy. During this time there were the usual growing pains. After a split in 1998, ARPH became a stronger, more viable organization. ARPH incorporated in 1999 and became a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization shortly thereafter. Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline, (ARPH) has seen great growth since its inception (with three members) in 1992 to the present-day 900 plus members throughout the United States and Canada.
Because of the solid foundation built by its first three members and ASCA, ARPH has continued its high standards not only for its volunteers, but for the Aussies they rescue. ARPH rescues hundreds of Aussies each year because of the hard work of its volunteers and the generosity of those who donate monies to help ARPH maintain its rescue efforts. ASCA is proud to have as our official Aussie Rescue Organization. The documents posted on this server contain hypertext links or pointers to information created and maintained by other private and public organizations. These links and pointers are provided for the user’s convenience. The Australian Shepherd Club of America does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The Australian Shepherd Club of America is not responsible for the content of any such site, nor does it necessarily endorse the sponsor of any such site or the positions espoused therein.
The Australian Shepherd Club of America is not liable for the user’s reliance upon any of the information contained in any such site as a result of providing such hypertext links or pointers.