Australian Shepherds Living in An Apartment: How to Make It Work

How to Make Living with Your Australian Shepherd in an Apartment Work

Australian shepherds are one of the most versatile dog breeds. They are intelligent, trainable, and loyal companions that make great family dogs. Australian shepherds were originally bred to work on farms and ranches, but they are just as happy living in an apartment with their human families.

Train Your Aussie to Be Less Vocal

One of the first things I’d recommend doing is training your Aussie to be less vocal (bark less). You can do this by teaching them the “quiet” command, and working with a behaviorist if needed. You may find that teaching your dog how to act is both rewarding and a challenge. You may also want to use a clicker to help train your dog.

Exercise & Physical Activity

Secondly, I highly recommend that you take your furry friend out on at least one walk per day. Or Play a fun game of fetch with a ball or a frisbee. Or play tug of war. The less energy your Aussie has, the better! If you choose not to exercise your Aussie (and get them out of the apartment), you may notice that they become quite bored and get stir-crazy quite quickly. It’s best to avoid this by simply getting into a daily exercise routine with your Aussie. Here are 10 fun activities you can do with your aussie.

Mental Stimulation Should Not Be Overlooked

Australian shepherds are intelligent dogs that need to be mentally stimulated. Be sure to give your Australian shepherd plenty of toys and puzzles to keep their minds active.

Additional Tips for Apartment Living with Your Australian Shepherd

If you’ve tried the above-mentioned tips to living with an Aussie in an apartment but are still running into issues, continue reading. Here are a few additional tips to make living with your Australian shepherd in an apartment work:

Again – Exercise Should Be Priority #1

Australian shepherds need plenty of exercise. If you live in an apartment, make sure to take your Australian shepherd for walks or runs several times a day. A dog park is also a great place for Australian shepherds to burn off some energy and socialize with other dogs.

Replace Obnoxious-Sounding Toys

Lastly, you can replace loud, obnoxious dog toys (that have high-pitch squeakers that carry through the halls) with toys that don’t have any squeakers. This can be a ball, tug-of-war toy, Kong with peanut butter, and similar.

Aussies Are Social Creatures

Australian shepherds are social creatures and love being around people. If you work long hours or are often away from home, consider a doggy daycare or dog-walking services to help keep your Australian shepherd happy and healthy. Another great idea is to frequently visit your local dog park.

Try A Supplement

There are many vet-approved supplements that you can try to help calm your Aussie down. consider speaking with your vet for more information on relaxation supplements for your dog.

If Problems Arise From Your Aussie Living in an Apartment

If you run into any problems while living in an apartment with your Australian shepherd, the best thing to do is talk to your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer. They can help you troubleshoot any issues and come up with a plan that works for both you and your Australian shepherd.

Upgrade Your Equipment

While you’re out and about, one of the best ways to keep track of your Aussie is by getting a camera. Doing so will allow you to monitor your Australian Shepherd while you’re out on the town and out of the apartment. Second, many cameras nowadays come equipped with a mobile app for your cell phone. You can view the video feed of your dogs, get notified based on sound or movement, and even communicate with your Australian shepherd through the camera’s built-in microphones.

If You’re Experiencing Complaints From Your Neighbors

One of the easiest solutions is to touch base with your neighbors, landlord, and even your vet. Speaking with your neighbors and landlord should give you a clear understanding as to what issues are specifically causing problems for neighbors in your apartment building or apartment complex.

Try A Smaller Size Variation

There are some Australian shepherd breeds that are better suited for apartment living than others. If you’re looking for an Australian shepherd that will do well in an apartment, perhaps consider a Miniature Australian Shepherd or a Toy Australian Shepherd. These smaller breeds have the same great personalities as their larger counterparts but don’t need as much exercise in some instances.

Conclusion

Australian Shepherds are a breed of dog that is known for its high energy levels and need for exercise. While it may be difficult to keep an Australian Shepherd exercised in an apartment, there are several things you can do to make it work. These include taking your Aussie for walks or runs multiple times a day, giving them plenty of toys and puzzles to keep their minds active, and enrolling them in doggy daycare or dog-walking services.

If you’re still having problems, consider talking to your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer for help. Australian shepherds are a great breed of dog but apartment living isn’t always easy for them. With some patience and effort, however, you can make it work.