My life with a high energy breed 🐾
I love Koa he is the absolute love of my life. Getting him has definitely installed a breed bias in me but I know that having an Australian Shepherd isn’t for everyone. This is what our life looks like together and what works for getting my working dog the exercise and love he deserves —
7 am - food followed by walkies
9 am - we both go to work, I am lucky to be at a job that allows me to bring him to work. We are currently in our off season so when we go in we do a lot of property management on site and he gets in a lot of walking/running around, fulfilling sniff time, and love from people who stop by. He has a lot of independence around the property and knows his restrictions of where he can and can’t go very well. Aussies are incredibly smart when you give them the right training!
1 pm - lunch for me and a walk for him! We do about 30 minute walk break before heading back to work.
1:30 pm - snuffle mat/ hide-a-treat toys. I can’t recommend these things enough! It took a while for Koa to understand them but it hey are great for mental enrichment and keep your dog focused on a task for long period of time.
3 pm - we leave work. When we leave koa likes to say good bye to everyone. He shakes everyone’s hands good bye 🤭
4 pm - walk and frisbee time! When we get home we go for a walk to his favorite park with his favorite frisbee. He likes to carry it the whole way there
5 pm - dinner! Koa eats 1.25 cups for every meal.
7 pm - final play time. After I eat koa goes outside and comes back in energized! We play don’t take but throw with all his toys and also train on what items are what by asking him to bring specific things. He knows most of his toys by name and has a decent recall of where they are.
7:30 pm - quite time and snuggle time. He knows that when the lights change in the house that it’s time to relax. Sometimes it’s with me and sometimes he enjoys his space and goes and lays in different room. Often in all the beds that he thinks belong to him.
For the most part I knew what I was getting into when I brought home this fuzzy critter. This is just what a typical day looks like for us but it does change. I am not a perfect owner and some days we get more exercise than others and other days we have lazy days. All and all, this is what works for us and I know I am providing a great life for him and that he is a happy boy and that’s all I can ask for. 🥰
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It's so inspiring to see a well-structured day for an energetic Australian Shepherd! As fellow owners of these incredible, smart, and often tireless companions, we know that every day can be a new adventure. While a consistent routine like Koa's is golden, sometimes we need a few extra tricks up our sleeves to keep our furry friends happy and well-behaved, especially when routines shift or we're looking for new ways to challenge them. Beyond the classic walks and frisbee sessions, think about diversifying their physical exercise. Ever tried a flirt pole? It's fantastic for channeling prey drive in a controlled way and burns energy quickly in a small space. Dog sports like agility, flyball, or even treibball (herding a large exercise ball) are also amazing outlets that combine physical exertion with mental focus. If you're near water, many Australian Shepherds love to swim – it's a low-impact, full-body workout. Even just exploring new hiking trails offers different scents and terrain, making a simple walk far more enriching. Mental stimulation is just as crucial, if not more so, for these intelligent breeds. While snuffle mats and hide-a-treat toys are brilliant, consider rotating them with other puzzle toys or even DIY enrichment. A frozen Kong stuffed with peanut butter, yogurt, or their kibble can keep them occupied for ages. Scent work games, like hiding treats around the house and encouraging them to 'find it,' tap into their natural instincts and are incredibly tiring for their brains. Don't underestimate basic obedience training, either – short, frequent sessions teaching new tricks or refining known commands are excellent mental workouts. For those of us who can't bring our Australian Shepherd to work like Koa's lucky parent, finding ways to break up their day is key. A trusted dog walker, a midday visit from a friend, or even a doggy daycare a few times a week can make a huge difference in preventing boredom and destructive behaviors. Leaving interactive toys, ensuring they have a comfy, safe space, and a solid morning exercise routine before you leave can help them settle. Remember, even the most energetic Australian Shepherd has off-days, or we might have them! It’s okay to have lazy days, but try to compensate with extra mental games if physical exercise is low. And on days with bad weather, indoor games like 'find the treat,' training sessions, or even a good game of tug-of-war can save your sanity. The key is to be flexible and tune into your dog's individual needs. It's a journey, but the bond you build with your smart, loyal Aussie is truly worth every ounce of effort!
@Captain Lemon8 @Lemon8 US