How much exercise does an Australian Shepherd need?
Core vaccines include parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus and rabies. Additional vaccines may be recommended by your veterinarian depending on your location and lifestyle. At Iron Side Ranch, all of our Australian Shepherd puppies are vaccinated at 6 weeks of age. Prior to this, the puppies are under the mothers immunity. Clients are given a vaccination record to follow when they pick up their puppy.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs?
Puppies should be wormed every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks old, then monthly until they are 6 months old. After that, most dogs do well with a regular worming schedule every 3 months. At Iron Side Ranch, all of our Australian Shepherd puppies follow a strict worming schedule before going to their new homes. Our clients are given a worming schedule to follow when they pick up their puppy.
Yes! Aussies, when bred right like our Aussies here at Iron Side Ranch, are extremely loyal, highly intelligent, very loving and affectionate. Australian Shepherds love and watch over their family. Learn why they’re considered one of the best family dogs on our Aussies page.
We do not recommend treats. Australian Shepherds, when bred properly, will work for praise over treats. Treats can cause stomach upset and a future of gastrointestinal issues. Small, soft kibble works best. Avoid foods that are toxic to dogs such as chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol (found in some peanut butters). When you come to pick up your Iron Side Ranch puppy, we will walk you thru the best way to "treat" your puppy.
How to potty train a puppy?
What major health screenings should breeders perform for Aussie puppies?
Aussies are double-coated and shed a couple times thru out the year. Aussies have heavier seasonal shedding in spring and fall. Iron Side Ranch Australian Shepherds have a shorter coat which helps with less shedding. Some of our dogs are bred to have a very short coat, allowing for minimal shedding.
Puppy Nutrition and Feeding
What should I feed my Australian Shepherd puppy?
Grooming & General Care
Do Australian Shepherds shed a lot?
How much should I feed my Australian Shepherd puppy?
Are Australian Shepherds good with children?
Puppy training and behavior
How often should puppies be wormed?
How to crate train a puppy?
Aussies that are bred to be a working dog. When bred right, they are not high strung, nor do they need a ton of exercise. Yet, just like most dogs, they still need mental stimulation and daily exercise. See how we raise happy, balanced dogs in our Our Working Aussie Story. When our clients pick up their puppy from Iron Side Ranch, we walk them thru exercise and mental stimulation techniques.
Puppy health and veterinary care
How long do Australian Shepherds typically live?
Look for testing on hips, eyes, MDR1 gene, epilepsy, and thyroid. Ethical breeders will test for these and openly discuss and provide related documentation. Iron Side Ranch tests for all of the above and much more. We perform full breed panel genetic testing on all our breeding dogs.
Consistency is key. Take your puppy outside after meals, naps, and playtime. Reward them immediately when they potty outside. Avoid punishment — instead, focus on routine and positive reinforcement. Iron Side Ranch puppies are started on potty training at 4 weeks of age. Puppies are taught to go thru a doggy door and potty in back of the pen. We walk our clients thru potty training techniques that work with our Australian Shepherd puppies when they pick up their puppy from us.
What treats are safe for puppies?
How often should I brush my Australian Shepherd?
Breed Specific questions
Aussies can be brushed 1–2 times weekly. How much brushing they will need depends on how much coat they have. Some Aussies have a thicker and longer coat than others. With thicker and longer coats, you will want to brush your Aussie at least weekly so that the hair does not get matted. Learn more about coat types and grooming by meeting our adult Aussies.
Crate training helps your puppy feel safe and secure while also helping with potty training. Start with short, positive crate sessions. Place a blanket and toy inside, and never use the crate as punishment. Gradually increase the time you leave the puppy in the crate as your puppy learns that the crate is their den. At Iron Side Ranch we start crate training our puppies at 5 weeks of age. We walk our clients thru easy and proven to work training techniques on how to crate train when they pick up their puppy from us.
Look for toys that are safe, durable, and sized correctly for your puppy. Popular options include:
Rope toys for tugging - Make sure they are tightly woven.
Puzzle toys for mental stimulation - Kong makes great treat/puzzle toys to keep your puppies mind busy.
Chew toys for teething - Kong toys and canvas toys are good. Never give your puppy soft wrapped bones as they can tear them apart easily and choke.
Balls for fetch - Tightly woven rope balls, or the virtually indestructible ball are a great choice.
When picking up your puppy from Iron Side Ranch, we will walk you thru the best toys and ways to keep your puppy entertained.
Feeding depends on age, size, and activity level. Most Aussie puppies do well on 2 to 3 small meals a day until 3 months, then transition from 1 to 2 meals a day. Always use high-quality puppy food with proper protein and fat levels. At Iron Side Ranch, we walk our clients thru feeding steps and the best foods to feed. Our puppies are eating twice a day when they go home.
Australian Shepherds typically live 12–17 years when raised with proper health care, exercise, and nutrition.Iron Side Ranch Australian Shepherds have a genetic life span of up to 17 years of age. They tend to stay healthy and active up until this age with the proper nutrition and exercise.
🐾 Dog Owner FAQs & Puppy Care Guide | Iron Side Ranch
Yes! Aussies, when bred right, are excellent with children! They have a passion for children. They love to watch over their children and play with them. They are very forgiving and when bred true to the breed, like Iron Side Ranch Aussies, they would never harm their children.
What are the best dog toys for puppies?
We recommend high-quality puppy food with balanced protein and fat. When you pick your puppy up from our ranch, we will walk you thru what to feed and how to feed your puppy. At Iron Side Ranch Australian Shepherds, we feed Diamond Puppy food which offers our puppies a healthy diet of high protein and fats.