Placement Policy
Please read this Placement Policy in full before contacting us. It will benefit you greatly to know this important information about the Australian Shepherd breed, our puppies, healthy lifestyle and natural rearing practices, commitment, questionnaire, placement preferences, registration, policies, etc.
Is an Australian Shepherd the Right Breed for You?
Please do your research to make sure an Australian Shepherd is the right breed for you, your family, and lifestyle.
The Australian Shepherd is a beautiful, intelligent, active, and highly versatile Herding breed. However, they can be challenging in an inexperienced home. These dogs are extremely smart, busy, athletic, and resourceful, with some herding, guarding, and alert instincts. An Australian Shepherd requires an owner with strong leadership skills to establish clear rules and consistent boundaries. Aussies can be reserved with strangers and selective with their social interactions. They are devoted to their immediate family and the one person that regularly cares for and trains them. They sometimes don't seek the attention of strangers depending on how they were raised and trained. I treasure the breeds loyalty and respect their nature. If you're looking for a dog that is social with anyone and everyone and relaxes indoors 8 hours a day inside then you should consider a different breed.
Aussies have a strong mind that needs to be stimulated mentally, not just physically. Mental stimulation is actually more tiring than physical exercise. These dogs are not suitable in apartment or condo environments due to their active nature and strong herding, guarding, alert instincts. It is not an ideal living environment for an Aussie. Australian Shepherds excel at basic obedience, and should be enrolled in advanced group obedience classes, and more appropriately a performance activity or two, such as; agility, rally-obedience, tricks class, etc. At least two years of devoted training will setup a puppy to thrive as an adult dog and be a wonderful devoted companion. Additional training may be desired as the dog matures. It is beneficial to start training puppies young before any problems develop that need to be addressed. Training should become a hobby for the life of the dog.
The Australian Shepherd is a beautiful, intelligent, active, and highly versatile Herding breed. However, they can be challenging in an inexperienced home. These dogs are extremely smart, busy, athletic, and resourceful, with some herding, guarding, and alert instincts. An Australian Shepherd requires an owner with strong leadership skills to establish clear rules and consistent boundaries. Aussies can be reserved with strangers and selective with their social interactions. They are devoted to their immediate family and the one person that regularly cares for and trains them. They sometimes don't seek the attention of strangers depending on how they were raised and trained. I treasure the breeds loyalty and respect their nature. If you're looking for a dog that is social with anyone and everyone and relaxes indoors 8 hours a day inside then you should consider a different breed.
Aussies have a strong mind that needs to be stimulated mentally, not just physically. Mental stimulation is actually more tiring than physical exercise. These dogs are not suitable in apartment or condo environments due to their active nature and strong herding, guarding, alert instincts. It is not an ideal living environment for an Aussie. Australian Shepherds excel at basic obedience, and should be enrolled in advanced group obedience classes, and more appropriately a performance activity or two, such as; agility, rally-obedience, tricks class, etc. At least two years of devoted training will setup a puppy to thrive as an adult dog and be a wonderful devoted companion. Additional training may be desired as the dog matures. It is beneficial to start training puppies young before any problems develop that need to be addressed. Training should become a hobby for the life of the dog.
Healthy Lifestyle Practice/Raising you're puppy
Age appropriate training and exercise while avoiding injury and pet obesity
Growing puppies have growth plates, which are areas of soft, immature bone from which bones grow and lengthen. These plates don’t fully harden until between 15-18 months of age. It is wise to keep all strenuous, high-impact, repetitive activities to a minimum until a puppy is at least 15-18 months of age. Not doing so could cause permanent injury to fragile growth plates, which causes a weaken skeletal structure and a dog that is more prone to injury, ALC tears and other issues - hip and elbow dysplasia. There are also many serious health issues associated with pet obesity. We must be advocates for our dogs and protect them.
Socialization
Puppy socialization begins as a neonate while in the breeder’s care and should continue in their forever homes. The word "socialization" is often misunderstood. Socialization is not about interacting and playing off-leash with other dogs. Socialization means teaching life skills. Exposing a puppy to every possible skill that they might need to be a happy, confident, well-adjusted adult dog. As puppies mature in our care, they are exposed to a variety of people, children, sights, sounds, textures, and other animals. On a daily basis the puppies are socialized in controlled environments to ensure positive experiences.
Foundation Training
Puppies should be enrolled in at least two full series of obedience classes with a professional before 12 months of age.
Crate Training
There are many benefits to crate training and when done properly a crate becomes a safe and comforting place for the dog. A dog that is crate trained will be comfortable if confined for car/plane travel, vets/groomers, dog sitting, new environments, etc. If this skill is not taught at a young age they will panic and suffer undue stress during times of confinement. Crate training is preparing a puppy with life-skills. It is beneficial to have a crate available to the dog as their space for the duration of their life. PUPPIES SHOULD NOT BE LEFT IN A CRATE FOR MORE THEN 4 Hours in the day time!
House Training
Puppies are trained to use the bathroom outside on sawdust before going home. Take puppies outside as soon as they wake up, have eaten, have played, or appear restless. As a general rule, puppies do not have full muscle control until approximately 16 weeks of age. Be patient and have a good sense of timing!
Grooming
Australian Shepherds are a double coated breed. The undercoat protects them from the elements – both hot and cold. Coats are very functional - dirt and debris fall off as the dog dries and a quick brush to get out any seeds, burrs, etc. Australian Shepherds should NEVER be shaved, but always brushed. Shaving damages the coat and changes the texture which can cause matting and other problems. Line brushing helps keep the coat healthy while removing dirt and loose hair. It should be a pleasant time together. Puppies should get use to being handled and having this done at an early age to maintain a proper grooming regimen.
Questionnaire
If, after reading this Placement Policy, you wish to add a 3Winds Australian Shepherd to your family we ask that you complete our Questionnaire. This questionnaire is a tool to help us become better acquainted with the people inquiring about our Australian Shepherds, while allowing you to clarify your thoughts about owning an Australian Shepherd. By understanding your family situation and requirements for a dog we can make sure that the breed is suited to your lifestyle and that we place the right puppy or dog with you. Please do not be offended if we ask a lot of questions, and we welcome your questions.
For the safety of our animals, we ask that visitors are not exposed to large numbers of dogs or kennel environments prior to their visit.
Growing puppies have growth plates, which are areas of soft, immature bone from which bones grow and lengthen. These plates don’t fully harden until between 15-18 months of age. It is wise to keep all strenuous, high-impact, repetitive activities to a minimum until a puppy is at least 15-18 months of age. Not doing so could cause permanent injury to fragile growth plates, which causes a weaken skeletal structure and a dog that is more prone to injury, ALC tears and other issues - hip and elbow dysplasia. There are also many serious health issues associated with pet obesity. We must be advocates for our dogs and protect them.
Socialization
Puppy socialization begins as a neonate while in the breeder’s care and should continue in their forever homes. The word "socialization" is often misunderstood. Socialization is not about interacting and playing off-leash with other dogs. Socialization means teaching life skills. Exposing a puppy to every possible skill that they might need to be a happy, confident, well-adjusted adult dog. As puppies mature in our care, they are exposed to a variety of people, children, sights, sounds, textures, and other animals. On a daily basis the puppies are socialized in controlled environments to ensure positive experiences.
Foundation Training
Puppies should be enrolled in at least two full series of obedience classes with a professional before 12 months of age.
Crate Training
There are many benefits to crate training and when done properly a crate becomes a safe and comforting place for the dog. A dog that is crate trained will be comfortable if confined for car/plane travel, vets/groomers, dog sitting, new environments, etc. If this skill is not taught at a young age they will panic and suffer undue stress during times of confinement. Crate training is preparing a puppy with life-skills. It is beneficial to have a crate available to the dog as their space for the duration of their life. PUPPIES SHOULD NOT BE LEFT IN A CRATE FOR MORE THEN 4 Hours in the day time!
House Training
Puppies are trained to use the bathroom outside on sawdust before going home. Take puppies outside as soon as they wake up, have eaten, have played, or appear restless. As a general rule, puppies do not have full muscle control until approximately 16 weeks of age. Be patient and have a good sense of timing!
Grooming
Australian Shepherds are a double coated breed. The undercoat protects them from the elements – both hot and cold. Coats are very functional - dirt and debris fall off as the dog dries and a quick brush to get out any seeds, burrs, etc. Australian Shepherds should NEVER be shaved, but always brushed. Shaving damages the coat and changes the texture which can cause matting and other problems. Line brushing helps keep the coat healthy while removing dirt and loose hair. It should be a pleasant time together. Puppies should get use to being handled and having this done at an early age to maintain a proper grooming regimen.
Questionnaire
If, after reading this Placement Policy, you wish to add a 3Winds Australian Shepherd to your family we ask that you complete our Questionnaire. This questionnaire is a tool to help us become better acquainted with the people inquiring about our Australian Shepherds, while allowing you to clarify your thoughts about owning an Australian Shepherd. By understanding your family situation and requirements for a dog we can make sure that the breed is suited to your lifestyle and that we place the right puppy or dog with you. Please do not be offended if we ask a lot of questions, and we welcome your questions.
For the safety of our animals, we ask that visitors are not exposed to large numbers of dogs or kennel environments prior to their visit.