They dont have the adequate size to make someone really feel scared. They are also very obedient and willing to learn. Australian Shepherd was bred as a working dog, Australian Shepherd to be a better watchdog or guard dog, Are Australian Shepherds Easy Or Hard To Train? However, just because they have an innate protective nature doesnt necessarily mean they would make a good guard dog for you. If you decide to get an Australian Shepherd, whether he is a watchdog, a guard dog, or simply a pet, be sure to exercise him frequently, socialize him with people and animals, and give him attention and mental stimulation. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. He will become less afraid of them and he is likely going to accept normal people passing by. While they are incredibly obedient and devoted to their people, they are not as fearless as many other protective breeds. Are they aloof as to whether you are even there? However, the chance of this happening increases when an Aussie is specifically trained to be a guard dog, or protect their owner. Socialize your Aussie:Talk to people in the park, invite more friends to your home or even bring your pet to their houses. But in general, the answer is no. While they will likely learn the commands and respond well to the training, that doesnt necessarily mean that they will be helpful when the time comes. What to do if my Australian Shepherd struggles to learn lessons? If you want a guard dog, this likely isnt the kind of protection you were looking for. Poodle Lifespan: How Long Do Poodles Live? In many cases, they are all bark and no bite. They will likely bark at strangers, and some may be aggressive if they are not appropriately trained. They also perform very well in obedience and agility trials. Even today, their protective nature remains. Or does he become aggressive and bark at them? If he still has difficulties after some time, remember, you can always call a dog trainer! While most Aussies have some level of protectiveness, they are not reliable guard dogs. However, they must be socialized around children, preferably while they are still a puppy. Training them as a protective dogs may be a way to keep their mind active and alert while training them to do something practical. Are Australian Shepherds Good Guard Dogs? If you havent trained your Australian Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Ignore and praise:Barking is only a way for your friend to call your attention to something. If you are looking to be protected, a more aggressive breed may be necessary. She currently owns one dog, two cats, a lizard, and a variety of fish. This, combined with their medium size (they usually weigh no more than 70 pounds) and friendly appearance, makes them seem more adorable than threatening. After all, the German Shepherd is likely one of the most well-known guard dogs of all, and this breed was originally a herding dog. Some may also become unrest just because of passers-by. Australian Shepherds are fantastic if you want a familiar mate, but dont want to leave security aside. Also, if youre planning to buy a dog soon, you need to know if an Australian Shepherd is the best choice for your profile. Panda German Shepherd: Are Panda Shepherds Purebred? It is hard to say. (Find out more about Rottweilers as guard dogs.). Most Australian Shepherds love to learn and are eager to please. The actions of the intruder will also likely matter. Other dogs beat Australian Shepherds in some key aspects, such as appearance. However, their intelligence means that you simply cant entirely training without figuring out another way to provide the proper mental stimulation. After they have learned basic commands, it is possible to teach them to be better watchdogs or guard dogs. Australian Shepherds are very loyal to their owners and will do everything they can to protect them. They dont have the instincts to supplement any training they receive. We wouldnt recommend relying on an Australian Shepherd to protect your home. Steffi is the founder of SpiritDog Training. This shows just how intelligent, obedient, and loyal this breed is. The difference is that, instead of animals, Australian Shepherds now deal with humans. Want to get a sniff on what SpiritDog's online training is all about? Yes, Australian Shepherd will protect its owner. And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! However, they may attempt to herd children, which can be a problem if this behavior turns into nipping. You need to understand how your Aussie will act in a dangerous situation. The variations in the color of their fur make each Aussie unique. That isnt what they were bred to do. This means that theyhave the ability toquickly learn what a threat is and what is not. Even with the best training, these dogs usually wont be as good at protecting people and property as other breeds. But just because your dog is protective does not mean theyare capable of protectingyou. Does your dog stay back from strangers or act shy around them? Every training starts with the easiest parts, and thats the one for your pet. However, if you have an Australian Shepherd, training them as a protection dog is possible. If you want a simpler watchdog, however, Aussies should be on your list. If you ever have children in your home, whether they are yours or not, you must be careful about which dog you choose as a pet. After a couple of years of training, it isnt odd to run out of new things to teach your Australian Shepherd. Unsocialized dogs may become fearful of strangers simply because they arent used to meeting new people. This includes delivery drivers, mailmen, and anyone else who dares to knock on the door. This can make it challenging to convince them actually to become aggressive towards strangers. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a02de69c460fb97c86758a7d37bb9d35" );document.getElementById("c82db2eba3").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); What Defines a Good Guard Dog or Watchdog? This is because they were bred to protect livestock. Most breeds like this (even if they arent herders) tend to have some level of protectiveness over their loved ones. I've got a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and have several years experience working in animal shelters and rescues. If they are well-treated, they will show you unconditional love. Reward good behavior with treats and remember to be patient. Aussies can behigh-maintenance, but they are worth it. We will email you daily with training tips, ideas and videos. Can You Train An Australian Shepherd To Be A Guard Dog? If youre looking for a family protecting dog, the Australian Shepherd might be an okay choice. Maybe you have to wait a bit. Australian Shepherds are a brilliant breed and can easily be trained. They have a perfect balance, which matches this profile. They only tend to bark, to call their owners attention. German Shepherds are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. He needs to recognize you as the leader. Can a Cavapoo Sleep Wearing a Muzzle or Wear Them All Day? It must be noted that Australian shepherds are not guard dogs, and they lack the aggression necessary to follow through with a physical attack. Everything You Need to Know, Are Cane Corsos Good With Kids? This makes them the perfect breed to be a running or hiking companion. Are Australian Shepherds Good Protectors? Go through the steps with calm and let him take his time to understand what you want. If he barks at something irrelevant on the street, just dont show up next to him. Australian Shepherds will eventually bark at suspicious people at the gate, which helps a lot. How you raise your dog matters. Goldendoodle Lifespan: How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? It is safe to say that the more attached your dog is, the more protective he will be of you. Even though he belongs to a highly intelligent breed, it doesnt mean he is a learning robot. Cheaper than replacing everything they might break. Want To Train Your Australian Shepherd With Peace Of Mind? While they are not the most aggressive breed, their size can be intimidating to an intruder. However, they are not classical one-person dogs that only get attached to one person and ignore the rest of the world. They arent as people-oriented as some other breeds. My name is John Carter and I absolutely love pets, especially cats and dogs. They represent the right balance between family and security dogs. It is true that they do not to approach everyone with kisses. Many are well-known for bonding closely with children. Along with their highly trainable nature, they also have the dominating appearance of a threatening dog. You dont want your dog aggressive towards friends even if it would also mean that they would be aggressive towards intruders. This is because, as working farm dogs, they were required to not only gather the livestock but also keep them safe. Pitbull Colors: 23 Coat Color Variations Explained (With Pictures), American Bully XL: An Ultimate Guide to the Most Muscular Dog, White British Shorthair Facts, Genetics & Health (With Pictures), Chocolate Point Siamese Cat Facts, Traits, Pictures & FAQs, Tortie Point Siamese Cat Info, Facts, Traits, Pictures & FAQs. All ofthese factors combined make for an intimidating guard dog. Are Hyenas Dogs or Cats or Something Else? Their appearance also isnt the best for this role. It is not uncommon to see them barking at cars passing on the street, for example. (And How to Make Them Stop! And Aussies dont have that naturally. Aussies were originally bred to work in farms herding livestock. Another requirement of a guard dog is an innately aggressive nature in case the time comes for them to attack physically. Those that are less socialized may attack an intruder, but they will also be unsure of anyone new you bring into your home. Until now, this mindset remains. They are not very untrusting of people, though it depends mainly on how they are raised. When a dog is herding sheep, they are also protecting sheep to some extent. Youhave toteach your Aussie what is a threat and what is not. Join the 7-day free online course right away! While they are incredibly friendly mates, they still are always aware of possible dangers. They arent guard dogs and shouldnt be made to be. Aussies (when raised correctly) always respect and love their owners, and turning on them would be the last thing they do. (And How To Train Them), Do Huskies Make Good Guard Dogs? Herding dogs dont need to be people-oriented. Dogs for protection also need to be intimidating. Guard dogs also act as watchdogs. Aussies are not guard dogs by nature, so this is not an appropriate role for this breed. White Jack Russell Terrier Info, Facts & Traits (With Pictures), Yellow Lab Facts, Appearance, History & FAQs (With Pictures), Tri Color Border Collie Facts, Genetics & FAQs (With Pictures), Red Merle Border Collie: Facts, Genetics & More (With Pictures), Blue Merle Border Collie: Facts, Genetics & More (With Pictures), Charcoal Lab Facts, Genetics, Health & FAQs (With Pictures), Black Pug Facts, Genetics, Puppy Price & FAQs (With Pictures), Fawn Pug Facts, Genetics, Puppy Price & FAQs (With Pictures), Black Jack Russell Terrier Facts, Genetics, Pictures & More, How to Treat a Dog Nail Separated From Quick (8 Easy Steps), Crusty Scabs Around My Dogs Mouth (Causes, Treatment & Prevention), Do Pitbulls Have Lockjaw? They are excellent watchdogs. Consider the following dog breeds if you are looking for a guard dog with an aggressive nature that is willing to attack an intruder. Again, yet another reason why Aussies should not be trained to be more protective than they already are. Because the Australian Shepherd is such an intelligent breed, they are easy to train and are quick learners. Its believed that female Aussies are slightly more protective over their puppies and owners than males, but this is hard to back up. And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone. Simple. If you want your dog to be a protector, then your primary focus should be on training your dog as such. While its possible to train an Australian shepherd to protect you with force, its not advised. However, they probably wont behave too aggressively and wont run towards people to threaten or bite them. He just wants to see you happy and will do everything possible to make you feel so. Along with intelligence, a good guard dog should be loyal. While an Australian Shepherd can make a good watchdog, they are not the best guard dog. Most dogs that are well-known for their protective abilities are one-person dogs. Your Aussie can be an exception. Not all dogs learn new things at the same speed. Each dog will behave differently in times of danger. They dont have the instincts to supplement their training. But this only goes so far. After all, your dog wont be able to tell the difference between an intruder and a new family friend. If you want more of a guard dog than a watchdog, its better if your Aussie behaves more aggressively. SpiritDog Training LLC | All Rights Reserved, To answer this question, it is essential to understand why the Australian Shepherd was initially bred. Guard dogs are more likely to attack intruders physically. Represent the right balance between family and security dogs. ) keep them safe a protective dogs may fearful. 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