Aussie Training & Behavior

Learn how to socialize your Mini Aussie puppy with this easy confidence-building checklist! Discover fun ways to raise a calm, confident, and well-adjusted dog.

Don't wait until your puppy is terrified of fireworks to start training. This simple 7-day plan teaches puppies to confidently handle loud noises through positive associations, gradual exposure, and giving them the freedom to choose.

Know your Aussies Brain Zones. Not every brain game is right for every moment. If your Mini or Toy Aussie gets more wild after “enrichment,” this simple calm-down plan will help you choose the right activity at the right time.

10 Mental enrichment games for your Aussie. In Part 1, we talked about puzzle toys, scent games, trick training, and simple enrichment ideas. In Part 2, we’re going one step deeper. These are simple, training-based brain games you can incorporate into your daily life with your Aussie. No fancy setup. No hour-long training session. No need to turn your house into a dog gym.

For breeds like Aussies, Mini American Shepherds, and other intelligent working dogs, search games are especially valuable. These dogs usually do best when their brains have a job. And “go find the thing” is a much better job than “reorganize the throw pillows with your teeth.” LOL- you know that a bored Aussie is a naughty Aussie.

This quick and easy guide will help find the best Aussie and make them feel welcome and safe in their new home!

The best running partner is the dog who finishes the run thinking, “That was fun—when are we doing it again?” Build the foundation, protect the joints, add strength, progress slowly… and you’ll have a dog who can run with you for years instead of weeks.

If you want a dog who can relax on a kayak, settle in a canoe, or ride a paddleboard without turning the whole experience into a floating circus act, preparation matters.

Motion sickness can turn a simple car ride into a drooly, miserable mess—fast. The good news: most puppies can improve a lot with the right plan. And if you build the skills correctly, you’re not just fixing car rides...

Getting a dog ready for therapy work is like building a home the right way. You don’t start with paint colors and décor. You start with a solid foundation, then framing, then systems, then finishing. If you skip steps, the whole thing gets wobbly later—especially in busy public spaces.

Spring is here!!! Finally. Let's be real- you want to have fun with your Aussie without becoming a paranoid, helicopter pet parent. LOL And if you live with an Aussie, you already know they are rarely content to just admire the water from a distance. So what is one to do? Freak out and vaccinate to the hills, stay at home, or just let it go?

SSH Aussies guide to properly socializing your Australian Shepherd.

Teaching place command to your puppy.

Step by step guide on how to crate train your puppy, reduce anxiety, and help them love their crate

Unless you want to train for the Iditarod and become a sled behind your Aussie, then you might really like the reward zone training -lol.

Learn how to train an Australian Shepherd puppy with easy steps, short sessions, and proven enrichment ideas for a calmer, happier Aussie.

Teaching stay or wait is about self control. Self-control gets you what you want. Not only does that make your day easier—it helps your puppy feel calmer, more confident, and more capable in the real world. And the best part? You don’t need long training sessions to build it.

Here are some fun, safe winter activities your Australian Shepherd will love both indoors and outside.

Australian Shepherds are smart, energetic, and eager to learn which makes early training essential. With basic obedience, socialization, and plenty of mental stimulation, Aussies grow into confident, well-mannered dogs ready for every adventure. At Sunset Hill Aussies, we focus on giving each puppy the strong foundation they need to learn, explore, and become a joyful lifelong companion.

Teach your puppy to leave it simply and realistically, so your puppy learns quickly, and you keep your sanity.