5 Insightful Tips Before You Adopt an Australian Shepherd
Last Updated on May 17, 2022
Adopt an Australian Shepherd and it will provide you with a rewarding experience. But if you are planning to adopt an Australian Shepherd, you should spend enough time and find out more information about the breed.
The Australian Shepherd as pets are fantastic and they are a pet that can become your friend for a lifetime. Adopting an Australian Shepherd dog is an extremely serious decision. So, you must do your best to prepare for it beforehand.
1. Why you should adopt an Australian Shepherd
Unfortunately, there are a lot of unwanted animals that have been left behind by their owners but not just in Australia, in other countries as well. And of course, animal protection organisations have to do everything possible to prevent these kinds of things from happening. And when you choose to adopt one of those miserable animals, you save a life.
Adopting an Australian Shepherd gives the dog a second chance and a safe place to have a happy life. However, like all dogs, it is important to research and understand the breed prior to getting adopt an Australian Shepherd. This is an active breed and is not going to fit into everyone’s lifestyle.
Adopting an Australian Shepherd puppy involves a lot of responsibility and there is no question about it. A pet will be an addition to your family. So, adopt a pet only if you are ready for it. Responsible pet owners always do a lot of research prior to getting an Australian Shepherd. It would be better to start preparing for adopting a puppy in advance.
There are many reasons why you should adopt an Australian Shepherd puppy. Now, let’s dig deeper into this breed and try to figure out why you need such a wonderful dog as Australian Shepherd.
The truth is that some pet owners don’t want to get rare dog breeds. However, the same can’t be said about Aussies. It’s fair to say that an Australian Shepherd is a very popular breed.
The American Kennel Club has included Australian Shepherd in the list of the most popular dog breeds. Nowadays, it goes as #17 in the list of the top dog breeds. Totally, the list includes 180 dog breeds.
But most importantly, Australian Shepherd is a breed that constantly gains in popularity. So, you’ll never be alone with Aussies. You’ll be able to make friends with other pet owners who have an Australian Shepherd.
It’s also important to note that a dog has a long lifespan. On average, the dog lives for about 12 – 15 years. If you do regular veterinary checkups and keep the Australian Shepherd healthy, then the dog will become a long-time friend of your family.
Australian Shepherd is a lovely dog with an interesting personality. It’s a kind of dog that brings all family members together and makes people happy.
Aussies are easy to maintain dogs. It’s necessary to brush a dog once a week. When a dog sheds, you have to brush it 3 times a week. By doing so, you’ll be able to reduce excessive shedding significantly. Plus, you have to trim the dog’s nails when such a need arises.
The dog impresses pet owners with its intelligence. You need to know that the Australian Shepherd is a very smart dog. The dogs tend to trick people. So, you’ll never find it hard to train your puppy.
When pet owners teach Australian Shepherd, they shouldn’t forget to reward the dog each time it achieves success. So, a dog will do exactly what you ask it with a big pleasure the next time. As a result, the dog will be able to learn new commands as well as tasks easily, quickly and successfully.
2. Make sure you are the right person to adopt
The truth is that to adopt an Australian Shepherd puppy is a long-term commitment. That means that you must be well-prepared for getting your own Australian Shepherd puppy. That’s why you have to get very serious about getting a furry friend.
Make sure that the Australian Shepherd is the right dog for you and that you are the right person for this dog breed. That’s why it’s so important for you to get all the necessary Australian Shepherd dog breed information prior to bringing a furry friend to your home.
The dog is very active. So, you will never find it boring to live with an Australian Shepherd dog. Without a doubt, a puppy will make a lot of fun and bring a lot of positive emotions to your life.
The Australian Shepherd as a pet is highly recommended, as they are people-oriented dogs. That means that you have to be ready to spend much time with your dog because they crave attention. The Aussie needs a job and has to be kept constantly busy. Otherwise, some negative consequences may occur. That’s the reason why it’s not recommended to adopt an Australian Shepherd if you live in an apartment living. So, just think: are you sure you will be able to provide your Australian Shepherd with an appropriate job?
Are you planning to adopt an Australian Shepherd in the nearest future? If so, you need to create a comfortable atmosphere for your dog first. The main responsibility of a pet owner is to keep his/her dog fit physically and mentally. Make sure that you have everything that’s required for keeping your pet happy and healthy.
If you are thinking about to adopt an Australian Shepherd, there are some other aspects you should consider before making the final decision. The dog will also need:
- A fenced yard
- Regular exercises
- Brushing
- Trimming
- Quality meat
When you give an Australian Shepherd everything it needs for a healthy growth and harmonious development, you can adopt this animal without hesitation. Luckily, there are a lot of places in Australia you can adopt an Australian Shepherd from.
It’s incredibly important to learn as much as possible about the breed before adopting a dog. Australian Shepherd is not a suitable dog for low experienced pet owners and beginners. In this case, it would be better to consider other dog breeds. You should adopt an Australian Shepherd puppy only if you know this breed very well.
When adopting an Australian Shepherd, you have two options. You can either adopt a puppy or an adult dog. Think about this question in advance. Give a preference to a dog that suits your lifestyle.
The reality is, that Australian Shepherd dogs are fast learners and they react to training very well. Nevertheless, it would be better to start training a dog from a young age. If you adopt an old dog, you may find it hard to train it.
And of course, you have to train your Australian Shepherd dog in the right way. A well-trained dog will make your family happy. On the other hand, an untrained dog will be a big problem for your family.
When teaching a dog, you should always stay positive. As we have already mentioned, pet owners should give a preference to reward-based training. It’s worth noting that this type of training works very well for Australian Shepherd dogs.
3. Adopt an Australian Shepherd from a Dog Rescue Organisation in Australia
Unfortunately, some Australian Shepherd dogs become homeless. Actually, these types of unpleasant situations happen for different reasons. Rescue groups work to save homeless animals.
Rescue organisations take care of such animals and support them until they are adopted. It would be great to visit a dog rescue organisation if you want to adopt an Australian Shepherd dog.
The main mission of dog rescue groups is to help furry friends find new homes as well as new pet owners. These groups also provide the pet owners, who are interested in adopting dogs or cats, with the support that they need.
Animal rescues in the territory of Australia take and work to re-home abused or abandoned dogs. They will provide the necessary health care and work to rehabilitate them when necessary.
Dogs of various breeds can be found among the pets given away by their owners. And the Australian Shepherd is no exception. Sometimes, the owner cannot find a common language with his Australian Shepherd and decides to refuse from the pet due to
- Hyperactivity
- Dominance issues
- Obstinacy
But if you think you will be able to overcome all those difficulties and build a strong bond with an Australian Shepherd, visit a dog rescue organisation in Australia. Probably, your pet is already waiting for you there.
First and foremost, you need to find the dog rescue organisations that operate in your areas. Keep in mind that the information about the local rescues is often available on the national websites. Some rescues have their own sites. So, it’s possible to find the information about dogs that can be adopted on a rescue organisation’s site. That’s why it would be better for you to check such sites for Australian Shepherd dogs.
It’s much cheaper to adopt an Australian Shepherd from a dog rescue organisation rather than to buy it from a pet store. Sometimes, you can get an Australian Shepherd puppy for free from a rescue center.
The reality is, you have to pay the so called adoption fee if you are getting a dog from a rescue group. The adoption fee involves the costs, which are associated with receiving a new pet. These include:
- Behavioral care costs
- Medical care costs
- Vaccination costs
- Microchip costs
- Surgery costs
Let’s assume that you have found the information on Australian Shepherd dogs at the rescue organisation’s site. In this case, you should visit an organisation and see a dog. If a dog is suitable for you, you’ll realize it quickly after you take a look at the animal’s eyes.
Even if there is no Australian Shepherd dog right now, then you shouldn’t fall into despair. Often, rescue organisation’s representatives help pet owners choose a dog. So, you can get in touch with a rescue organisation and give more details on what kind of a dog you are looking for. So, they will contact you if they have a dog that you would like to adopt. Rescue organisation’s representatives can recommend you an Australian Shepherd dog that will fit your family and lifestyle.
On top of that, rescue organisation’s representatives give pet owners recommendations they need to follow to care for adopted dogs in the best possible way. That means that you will get an expert advice if you choose to adopt an Australian Shepherd from a rescue organisation.
4. Adopt an Australian Shepherd from a Public Animal Shelter in Australia
Public animal shelters are the right place to search for dogs that need a home. A lot of people choose to adopt an Australian Shepherd dog from a public animal shelter in Australia and they do this for a good reason.
The reality is, public animal shelters in Australia provide pets with the support and training that they need. That means that you’ll get an already house-trained dog if you choose to adopt a pet from a public animal shelter. So, you don’t need to spend your time on training your dog.
It’s also important to note that pets in a shelter are properly vetted. So, you can be sure that an Australian Shepherd will receive all the necessary care before pet adoption. And of course, it’s a big advantage.
If you have firmly decided to adopt an Australian Shepherd and give it a chance for a new life, visit a public animal shelter in Australian to find the breed you are interested in.
Dog adoption procedure consists of several stages. Now, let’s dig deeper into the process of adopting an Australian Shepherd from a shelter.
First and foremost, you have to find the dog shelters near you. It’s the first step that it’s necessary to take to adopt the perfect pet.
Then, go to the shelter’s site and get familiar with the Australian Shepherd dogs that you can adopt. It’s worth noting that animal shelter sites are designed in a way that makes it easy for pet adopters to perform search and find dogs.
If you take advantage of site’s filters, then you can search dogs by different parameters such as
- age
- breed
- colour
- size
All that you need to do is to specify Australian Shepherd as a breed in a search. The search will provide you with the dogs of this breed. So, it will not take you too much time to find the right Australian Shepherd dogs on shelter’s site.
Pet adoption journey involves a lot of research work. Analyze the information about each dog carefully prior going to a shelter. Shelters usually provide this type of information about their pets on their sites. This will help you decide which dog is more to your liking. Select the dogs that suit you best.
Let’s say that you’ve found an Australian Shepherd dog that you are ready to adopt. Do you believe that you and the chosen Australian Shepherd dog are a good match? If so, the next step that you have to take is to submit an application form to a shelter and arrange a visit.
Lastly, you have to visit an animal shelter and see an Australian Shepherd dog. During a visit to a shelter, you have an opportunity to see a dog. Study the behaviour of a dog carefully and think about adopting a four-legged friend once again. This will help you make a final decision whether adopt or don’t adopt an Australian Shepherd.
It’s worth noting that the help of a professional in dog adoption process is immeasurable. That’s why volunteers or shelter’s workers visit your home before you get a dog.
During home visit, they will discuss dog’s needs with you. Shelter’s representatives will give an advice that you need to follow to create comfortable environment for an Australian Shepherd dog in your home. Plus, you’ll get a lot of expert tips on dog caring.
Sometimes, pet owners have to make some adjustments to prepare their living environment for a new family member. Specialists may also recommend you to make some changes to your lifestyle.
When everything is ready, you can get your chosen dog from a shelter. You have to pay adoption fees to a shelter. Bear in mind that it’s much cheaper to adopt an Australian Shepherd dog than to buy one. The truth is, the fees cover veterinary expenses as well as costs which are associated with microchipping, neutering and other services.
An animal shelter is a place where lost or abandoned animals are usually kept because previous owners have various reasons for adopting their Aussies away.
You need to know that animal shelters bring together abandoned, abused, lost as well as unwanted pets. But most importantly, all these animals need a home. Therefore, you’ll save pet’s life if you bring an Australian Shepherd dog home from a shelter.
5. Adopt an Australian Shepherd from the Animal Protection Society in Australia
There are many options when it comes to adopting an Australian Shepherd in Australia, so look at your local adoption centers today, because there are many great Aussies out there just waiting for you.
Keep in mind that animal protection societies always have dogs with urgent need for adoption. And of course, you have to pay close attention to such pets because Australian Shepherd dogs can be among them.
Search for Australian Shepherd dogs available for adoption near you. Visit animal protection societies to find out more about to adopt an Australian Shepherd dogs. Adopt a pet if you find the right one.
To Adopt an Australian Shepherd is a kind and merciful act. You will not just provide the dog with a chance to live a normal and happy life. You will change your life for the better as well.