Is A Toy Aussie Right For You? 3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying A New Puppy
Making the decision to bring a new puppy into your home can be exciting. In order to ensure that your new puppy blends well into your family, you need to make sure that the puppy's breed is compatible with your lifestyle. Toy Australian Shepherds are adorable dogs that can make great family pets.
If you are unsure whether or not a toy Aussie is the right fit for your family, here are three questions that you can ask yourself prior to bringing home your next puppy:
1. Are you committed to training?
Full-size Australian Shepherds are intelligent dogs that are full of energy. In order to ensure that this excess energy doesn't become disruptive, training is required. Toy Aussies are no different than their larger counterparts when it comes to the need for training.
To prevent your new puppy from becoming s destructive force within your home, you need to be prepared to invest time and money into regular training. Working with your puppy on a regular basis will ensure that he or she is able to avoid behaviors that might not be desirable within the family home.
2. Are you active?
Because toy Aussies have a lot of energy, they need to be active throughout the day. If you are looking for a dog that will be content sitting on the couch for hours on end, then the toy Aussie isn't the right breed for you.
Australian Shepherds have a strong work ethic and a desire for physical activity. When denied the opportunity to expel excess energy through regular walks or playtime, these high-energy dogs can become destructive. Ensure that you are prepared to engage in daily physical activity with your dog before making the choice to invest in a toy Aussie.
3. Do you have other small animals?
It's important to recognize that Australian Shepherds were bred to help ranchers manage their livestock. This means that generations of dogs before your toy Aussie have been selectively bred to have a strong herding instinct. While this herding instinct comes in handy for dogs living on a farm or ranch, your new puppy may display his or her herding tendencies in other ways.
If you have other small animals in the home, your toy Aussie may attempt to herd these animals on a regular basis. Your toy Aussie may even try to herd your small children. Be sure that your other pets and children are prepared to deal with the herding instincts of a toy Aussie before bringing one of these puppies home.
Toy Aussies can make great family pets. Be sure that you are prepared to form a loving relationship with your new dog by committing to training and physical activity, and ensuring your other pets and children can deal with being herded around your home.
Contact a breeder like MarLoWin Aussies for more information and assistance.