The Australian Shepherd has always attracted many French people. And so does the Miniature Australian Shepherd. However, even though its size meets the characteristics sought after by city dwellers, it is important to keep in mind that it remains a herding dog with a strong need for activity and companionship.
The Mini American Shepherd is a dog that loves to be active!
Like all puppies, it's crucial for the Miniature and Toy Australian Shepherds to receive proper socialization. We often see fearful Australian Shepherds, and this is often due to inadequate socialization. There are two main phases of socialization: the breeder's role during the critical period from 0 to 2 months, and then the family's role during the critical period from 2 to 3 months and throughout the rest of the dog's life.
The role of the breeder
The breeder plays a crucial role in the socialization of puppies. Firstly, it is the breeder who selects the parents based on their physical traits as well as their temperament. The goal of a breeding is to achieve harmony and a dog with a playful and sociable nature.
Another critical phase is socialization between 0 and 2 months. The puppy will gradually start to hear, see, and smell new textures, meet new people, other species, and animals. It is important to accompany them through all these stages. Socialization should not be neglected and is an integral part of our mission.
We also offer early stimulation exercises for our puppies, which you can find through the following link: Early Neurological Stimulation - Miniature American Shepherds at Au hasard d'Éole (bergersamericainsminiatures.com).
We gradually introduce our puppies to new sounds, textures, and toys to enrich their environment. They also have outdoor play areas and parks designed for their comfort and safety.
The role of the family
At the time of departure, your puppy should be calm, friendly, playful, and not have any major fears. You will then be responsible for teaching them many concepts, such as house training, leash walking, recall, and being alone.
It is more important than ever to be patient. Nothing is acquired overnight. We also recommend using positive reinforcement, which means praising and rewarding the behaviors you want to see repeated, and ignoring behaviors you want to see disappear.
During the 2 to 3-month period, we recommend exposing your puppy to a wide range of everyday experiences. They should become familiar with everything they will encounter in life, such as the subway, bicycles, school outings, and the market. The golden rule is to take it slowly as your puppy gains confidence in you. It's also important not to isolate them from encounters with other dogs, children, cats, and so on. If your puppy no longer sees or interacts with certain things, they may become more wary or even fearful of them in the future.
In any case, a dog trainer or your breeder can guide you and provide you with advice.
A popular and lovable dog
It is true that with a toy or miniature Australian Shepherd at the end of the leash, you will not go unnoticed. You will likely have more people stopping to pet this adorable bundle of fur.
However, it's crucial to remember that your puppy deserves moments of peace and quiet. There's no need to pet or handle him all the time. After all, he's still a dog with his own needs and expectations.
It is also important to ask yourself why you want a miniature or toy Australian Shepherd. Beyond their cute appearance, you need to be able to meet their need for companionship and exercise. Even a toy Australian Shepherd is still a herding dog with many of their breed's characteristics, such as a desire to gather, nip, energy, and barking.
A highly intelligent dog
The miniature and toy Australian Shepherd is a very intelligent dog. They quickly understand what is expected of them and will go above and beyond to meet your expectations.
Our families are often impressed by how fast miniature American Shepherds learn basic commands such as sit, lie down, roll over, and give a paw. Australian Shepherds love to learn and please their owners, so this type of exercise is a great opportunity for them.
They can also be walked off-leash, which is very enjoyable during long hikes or walks in the forest. The miniature and toy Australian Shepherd has good recall and will quickly come back to your side.
However, this high intelligence can sometimes work against you. Therefore, it is important to be firm and consistent with the commands and rules you want to establish.
The Miniature American Shepherd is a sociable and inclusive dog.
With proper socialization from a young age, they get along well with other animals and humans.
They enjoy going for walks in dog parks and playing with dogs of different breeds and ages. However, it's important to note that two unneutered males may have issues with getting along.
With humans, they are sociable and will often approach new people in the hope of receiving pets, cuddles, and attention.
However, as a dynamic dog, their exuberant approach may be overwhelming for young children, so it's important to help them channel their energy appropriately.
The Miniature American Shepherd also has a passion for competitions and canine sports such as agility, herding, tracking, dog dancing, and obedience. You can participate in various activities with them to stimulate their intelligence and energy.
To learn more about the vision and philosophy of the Miniature American Shepherd, you can visit their website : Miniature American Shepherd - Royaume des Galopins.
