Australian shepherds are a “breed of herding dogs” that descended from westernUnited States.

Appearance

An average male Australian shepherd weighs about fifty five to seventy pounds whereas an average female Australian shepherd weighs about thirty five to fifty five pounds. The standard height of a male Australian shepherd is about 21 to 23 inches whereas the standard height for a female Australian shepherd is about 18 to 21 inches. Aussie’s color may vary from red merle, liver tricolor, blue merle, black tricolor etc. The color of their eyes may vary from amber, blue, brown, hazel, green etc.

Temperament

This breed of dog is full of energy and enjoys work! They are extremely affectionate towards their owners and get well with small children. Almost all Australian shepherds prove to be good house-dogs.

Health

Respiratory problems, eye problems, hip problems, back problems, urinary infections, vision problems are some of the common health issues that a Australian shepherd dog may come across. The average life span of this breed of dog is around 12.5 years. Aging and cancer are some of the prime causes that lead to their death.

History

Inspite of its name, this breed of dog didn’t originate from Australia. They acquired this name because of their association with the United States sheepherders who came from Australia.

Miscellaneous

The general public came to know about them through horse shows, Disney movies or rodeos.

Behavior/Obedience Problems and Solutions

Keep in mind, behavior/obedience problems can happen with any breed of dog. They may be experiencing problems because the dog is just young, or has been trained poorly or abused. It is important to identify these behaviors and then address them.

Did you know social confusion is one reason that a dog might act out. Dogs think about their human families as their pack. So, it is important that your dog realizes that he is at the bottom of the pecking order. While this may seem strange or harsh, remember that submissive pack members will do what the more dominant members say. Period.

That means you, the Dog Parent, must learn how to train your dog or puppy, so you, your kids and your dog have the best life possible. Why? Because we all want to be respected by other dog owners as someone who takes great care of their dog. However, there are tons of “so-called dog training” products on the market. Trust me, I have tried them all. However, one continues to rise above the rest - Secrets to Dog Training .

There’s an impressive amount of information packed into this guide. It’s not just the problem behaviors that are discussed. The book starts off with new dog owner advice (how to choose a puppy or dog, the best places to get your dog from, breed information, puppy and/or dog proofing your home, the first veterenarian visit, housetraining and more). If you are looking for more advance info it covers: behavioral problems (such as aggression, dominance, chewing, digging, excessive barking, separation anxiety), intermediate-level obedience commands, health-related dog problems (allergies, cat/dog coexistence, fleas, heatstroke), and advanced commands and tricks. There is also an impressive section on dog whispering.

Daniel Stevens explains the background of the technique, how to utilize voice and body language to your best advantage, and how to use the technique to calmly, assertively, and effectively correct and train your dog or puppy. Step-by-step instructions are included for basic commands (sit, down, come, stay, quiet).

I Love Free Stuff – Don’t You?

You also get a handful of freebies: four bonus books, dealing with advanced housetraining including both the crate- and paper-training methods; a detailed examination on resolving canine aggression; how to effectively groom your dog (including information on coat care for specific breeds, dental care, and nail-clipping); and finally, how to begin training your dog for security work – even if that means just protecting the family home.

My favorite freebie: a personalized consultation with a member of the Kingdom of Pets team. If you’ve got an issue with your dog that you’d like some individual attention on, you can send them a quick email and receive a personalized, thorough reply packed with expert advice and practical tips. Now that’s service!

I have no qualms in recommending the Secrets to Dog Training package to anyone who owns, or is thinking about owning, a dog. You don’t need to have a “problem pet” for the book to be of assistance: there’s information included that can be useful to any and all dog owners.

From personal experience, the only other thing I would do is upgrade to the Secrets to Dog Training premium version because it has an online video series that is excellent as well as software which allows you to keep track of all the necessary and important details about your dog such as medical history, vaccinations, operations, appointments, obedience training, and much more.

In a nutshell: highly recommended