What kind of 'job' should I give to my Australian Shepard / Border Collie mix puppy?

Cowboys Angles · Apr 18th 2013, 9:05pm

I have a 10 week old Australian Shepard Border Collie mix breed. I have been reading several articles about how this breed is a natural herder and needs to be given a 'job' to do. I live in a fairly large apartment in the city with plenty of large parks nearby to go to. What sorts of 'jobs' can I give my puppy to do given my surroundings?

A Person · Apr 18th 2013, 9:05pm

It doesn't have to be a job exactly. They just need lots of exercise, they get bored if they are not able to run and play. They will be destructive if they get bored. My Australian Shepard loved to play fetch, we live in the country so I take him for walks without a leash so that he can run a little bit.

1baltofan1995 · Apr 18th 2013, 9:05pm

You can play "hide and seek" in your apartment. You can do all kinds of games with him (like hiding a treat under a cup -- like the old "shell game" and having him pick out the right cup. You should enroll him in puppy obedience classes now so he can be socialized and learn to learn. (Yes, I wrote that right!) When he gets older, agility classes and flyball are good options for him.

a gal and her dog1792 · Apr 18th 2013, 9:05pm

Put his food in puzzle toys like a Tug-a-jug or Buster Cube.Have "kibble hunts" like easter egg hunts, just put pup in bathroom or somewhere he can't see you, and hide kibble all over the house, then let him out to find them. He may need some help at first but should get it pretty quickly.Dog sports like flyball or agility competition.Get him a backpack to carry while on walks.Get "101 dog tricks" book and train him.

4456 · Apr 18th 2013, 9:06pm

A friend of mine has a Blue Heeler whose job is to carry one piece of laundry from the dryer to the bedroom for folding. Be creative. it doesn't have to be anything complex.

8072 · Apr 18th 2013, 9:06pm

My aunt has a dog very similar and she puts a "backpack" on the dog and fills it so it is a little heavy then walks it. They feel like it is doing work and they get great exercise. The backpack can be just a cloth with pockets draped across their back and secured. I know they are sold somewhere or you can make one really easily. The dog might feel wierd about it at first, but my aunt said that the more she did it the more the dog liked it!

4Her4Life · Apr 18th 2013, 9:06pm

Advanced obedience training is the one thing you will be able to do with your limited living space. Daily training for this is going to really get your dog thinking and using its brain is what it needs!I would consider getting into a local competition obedience class with your dog and learn all about it. UKC also allows mixed breeds to compete, so you can even pursue titles on your dog to show off all the hard work you've done.