Originally bred as farm dogs, Australian Shepherds used to supervise children while their parents worked in the fields. As such, these dogs are predisposed to caring for children, except for a few instances when they nip them at their heels to herd them into position.
Yet despite the fact that Australian Shepherds are intelligent and energetic dogs who generally do well with children, its behavior towards kids depends on how well you socialize your pet when it is young.
Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind to help ensure your puppy becomes familiar with and happy around children:
DO’s
- Do socialize your puppy at a very young age.
As soon as your Australian Shepherd steps inside your home, make sure to expose it to different people, sounds and environments in order for it to become adaptable and well-rounded.
- Do make sure there is adult supervision 24/7.
While Australian Shepherds are generally harmless, you need to make sure that you’re always watching how your kids interact to your newest family member. This will ensure ground rules are set on what is unacceptable and otherwise. In addition, it can also help prevent accidents such as nipping and biting.
DON’Ts
- Don’t allow your Australian Shepherd to interact roughly with kids.
Some Australian Shepherds tend to engage in behavior such as chasing and biting. Make sure to discipline your dog at a very young age, so it will know this is unacceptable behavior. Additionally, when your kids are becoming rowdy and are running around recklessly, redirect your puppy’s attention to a game or an interactive toy to ensure it does not participate in any rough activities.
- Don’t punish your puppy for growling or snapping at a child.
As all dogs, Australian Shepherds also have aggressive tendencies. As such, growling or snapping is unavoidable. In case this happens, make sure to enlist the help of qualified professional dog trainers to help you instill good behavior on your new puppy.
By: Kevin Wood