Are you thinking about getting a dog for your family with young kids and babies? Do you prefer Australian Shepherds over other dog breeds? If so, you may be wondering, “Is an Australian Shepherd a good family dog for my kids and babies?” Although all dogs are different, there are certain instinctual behaviors in Aussies you should be aware of. Here’s the brief answer first.
Are Australian Shepherds good with kids? It depends. Generally, Australian Shepherds are good with kids and babies alike. However, it’s important to note that the Australian Shepherd is classified as a herding dog. For this reason, they do have the innate herding instinct to nip at ankles and round up your smaller kids and may even bump into them. The good news is that this behavior can be controlled through early training.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of having an Australian Shepherd if you have a family with smaller kids and babies. We’ll go over a few ways to train your Aussies not to herd your kids and how to include your kids in the training process. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to answer for yourself this very question, “Is an Australian Shepherd the right dog for me and my kids?”
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Australian Shepherd good with kids or no?
Generally, yes, Australian Shepherds are good with kids and babies. However, there are always two sides to this question.
That’s because it really depends on your Aussie’s temperament, how he was trained and raised, the environment in your home, and your kids’ behavior and interaction with your Aussie can really influence the answer to this question.
By and large, if you have kids and are thinking about getting an Australian Shepherd, it is a good idea to get an Aussie because of the following:
- Enjoy many activities together.
- Teach your kids to trust your Aussie and vice versa.
- Share and create many happy memories together.
- Teach your kids to bond with your dog.
- A great stress reliever for everyone in your family.
- Your Aussie will learn to identify your small kids as part of the family pack.
Let’s go through this in more detail next and find out if an Australian Shepherd as family dog is a good idea.
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Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs?
If you have a family with young kids and babies, searching for a dog that is family-friendly is crucial. You’ll want to add a canine companion that is not only compatible with your home life with small kids and babies, but also with your other pets in the house. Of course, this is easier said than done.
Fortunately, Australian Shepherds do make good family dogs as they are energetic, intelligent, loyal, highly interactive with family members, and have a loving nature.
Best of all, Aussies are always eager to learn new things so they are also trainable.
Here are some reasons why Australian Shepherds make good family dogs.
Aussies’ energy level is child-friendly
There’s no doubt that our young kids are highly active and energetic. They love to play, shout, and run around the house.
Between working a 9 to 5 job, cooking dinner, doing the laundry, and a list of other chores, it’s hard to keep up with our kids’ energy levels. Most of the time, all we want is peace and quiet and a chance to relax after a long day.
If you have an Australian Shepherd, you’ll already know that they are also high energy. That’s because they were bred to work and herd. This means Aussies are always ready for playtime, whether it be a game of tug of war or playing catch.
Aussies generally enjoy playing with kids and this is a great way for them to expend their excess energy. After their playtime, you can bet that both your Aussie and your kids will be tired but happy.
Australian Shepherds are adventurous and love the outdoors
Australian Shepherds naturally love the outdoors because they were originally bred to work on farms and work outside all day. So it’s no wonder why they love going for long walks, to the dog park, or to a nearby store.
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If your family is adventurous and would like your canine companion to come along, then the Aussie is a great fit for your family. Australian Shepherds love accompanying your family on vacations around the world and they love car rides too.
Before you bring your Aussies anywhere, make sure they are leash-trained and can walk nicely on a leash. Once your pooch has mastered walking on a leash, then you can bring him or her anywhere where canines are allowed.
Aussies can keep up with your active lifestyles
Not only do Aussies enjoy long walks, but also they love to run and hike with you, your kids, and your family.
If you, your family, and your kids love to hike, run, or swim, then Aussies are a good fit since they love physical activities.
Aussies get along with everyone in the family including kids
Aussies are social dogs. They love to be around their family and get along with everyone in your family, including kids, babies, and other pets in your house. Their charming nature and playful attitude mean that they get along with other pets, animals, and people of all ages.
Aussies are always eager to please their owners
While Australian Shepherds are well-rounded and do adapt well to their surroundings, training is still essential. Training your Aussie at a young age (while he is still a puppy) is crucial because the younger they are, the easier it is to train them.
There are a few types of dog training you’ll want to start off with right away. They are:
- Socialization training.
- Behavioral training.
- Obedience training.
Training should come easily for Aussies since they’re always eager to please their owners and they love to learn. Training them early and early socialization helps them get along with your kids and babies. They will learn how to respond and behave around children.
If at first your Aussie is struggling with training, don’t fret. They’re very smart dogs so it’s important that owners stay consistent with the training.
Aussies are great for farmers or those who own livestock
Remember that Australian Shepherds were bred to herd livestock like sheep, goats, and cattle. Their natural herding skills are top-notch so if you own livestock or live on a farm with livestock, then the Aussies are a great addition to the family.
These herding skills can be both good and bad. The good aspect of your Aussie’s herding ability is that they’re great if you want him to herd your livestock or work on the farm. They’re good at following directions.
However, this can also be bad since they may try to herd your kids or little ones at home. Let’s delve a bit deeper into this next.
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Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Shepherd
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
