top of page
Sunset Hill Mini & Toy Aussies

Aussie Training & Behavior
Australian Shepherds are intelligent, energetic, and loyal dogs, which makes them wonderful companions—but also means they need guidance, structure, and mental stimulation from an early age. Teaching your Aussie the right skills early on can set the stage for a well-behaved, confident, and happy dog.


The Neighborhood is More Rewarding Than You: Leash Training for Aussies
Turn neighborhood walks into training adventures! Learn leash skills, heel position, calm behavior, and polite greetings for a happier, better-behaved Aussie.

Kendra
Sep 86 min read


Part 4, Mini & Toy Aussie Mental Stimulation - Fall Edition
Fall is one of the very best seasons to enrich your Mini Aussie.
The weather is cooler. The world smells different. Leaves crunch under their paws. Pumpkin patches pop up everywhere. Even a simple walk becomes a brand-new adventure.
Here's the best part…
Enrichment doesn't have to be expensive.

Jill
Sep 17 min read


Are Aussies High Maintenance? An Honest Answer From Someone Who Lives With Them
Aussies are not necessarily high maintenance—but they are too smart to raise on autopilot. Here is what they actually need to become calm, happy, well-balanced family dogs.

Jill
Aug 257 min read


How to Stop Your Aussie From Herding Your Kids
A well-trained Aussie can watch children run, bikes roll past, balls bounce, doors open, and everyday family life happen without feeling responsible for controlling every moving object.

Jill
Aug 1811 min read


Mini Aussie Puppy Socialization Checklist
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.

Kendra
Aug 114 min read


Fireworks & Loud Noise Training to Desensitize Your Puppy: A Simple 7-Day Plan That Builds Confidence (Not Fear)
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.

Jill
Aug 47 min read


Part 3- Mini & Toy Australian Shepherd Mental Stimulation: The Calm-Down Plan for Busy Aussie Brain
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.

Jill
Jul 2110 min read


Part 2, Mini & Toy Australian Shepherd Mental Stimulation: 10 Daily Training Games for a Calmer Aussie
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.

Jill
Jul 1411 min read


Simple Search Games for Fun, Sport, and Safety with Your Australian Shepherd
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.

Jill
Jun 237 min read


What You Need To Know Before Adopting a Mini Australian Shepherd
This quick and easy guide will help find the best Aussie and make them feel welcome and safe in their new home!

Kendra
Jun 165 min read


Running With Your Dog: How to Build a Safe Dog Running Partner + Strength Exercises
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.

Jill
Jun 95 min read


Step-by-Step Training Guide for Kayaking and Paddle Boarding With Your Dog
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.

Jill
Jun 28 min read


Help Your Puppy Overcome Motion Sickness (and Learn to Love Cars, Boats, & Anything That Moves)
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...

Jill
May 265 min read


How to Get Your Dog Certified as a Therapy Dog (Simple Step-by-Step)
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.

Jill
May 125 min read


Pond and Creek Safety for Aussies: Germs to Watch For, Vaccines, and Training Tips
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?

Jill
Apr 287 min read


Guide to Properly Socializing Your Mini Aussie
SSH Aussies guide to properly socializing your Australian Shepherd.

Kendra
Apr 213 min read


Teaching Place, Made Easy: Tiny Training Moments for a Calmer Aussie (Even When the Doorbell Betrays You)
Teaching place command to your puppy.

Jill
Apr 75 min read


Crate Training: Tiny Training Moments (Without Negotiating With a Tiny Dictator)
Step by step guide on how to crate train your puppy, reduce anxiety, and help them love their crate

Jill
Mar 175 min read


Leash Training, Made Easy: Build a Reward Zone (Not a Tiny Tow Truck)
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.

Jill
Mar 36 min read


Part 1- Mini & Toy Australian Shepherd Mental Stimulation: Training + Brain Games
Learn how to train an Australian Shepherd puppy with easy steps, short sessions, and proven enrichment ideas for a calmer, happier Aussie.

Kendra
Feb 174 min read
bottom of page