Another cause of depression might me that you are not spending enough time with you beloved pet. Dogs need lots of attention thoughout their entire lives. You should find ways to include him in your daily activites. Sometimes, just being able to go with you in the car is a treat in itself for them. Visit dog parks. Brush his coat every day and do a little massaging afterwards.
If he is suffering from separation anxiety, enroll him in a class or take him to a doggie day care. Take him to a friends to visit and play with another dog.
If you dog isn't getting enough exercise, that could also cause depression as well as obesity. Walk you dog at least once every day. Toss a frisbee or ball around for him for 15 minutes, wrestle with him, lay with him and scratch behind his ears. It may take some time, but if you do your part, he will do his. Sometimes, just getting him another "buddy" will totally cure the blues.
Much research is going on involving people and dog ownership. The findings are astounding. People who own a dog, are happier and healthier. Children who are raised with a dog are less likely to develop allergies and illnesses. Dogs help give us a sense of tranquility. They bring our blood pressure down, keep us active and releave stress from our day. More and more information is coming out in health magazines and journals of all the benefits of owning a pet. Dogs are comforting and good for our mental health as well. So, why a dog? Why not 2?
You should start grooming your puppy as soon as you bring him home. Aussies love to be groomed as they love to be touched. It only takes a few minutes to run a brush over your pet's coat and check for burrs or other matter in the coat. It is a great way to bond with your dog and keep him looking his best. I pet my dogs all the time. I pet them all over to check for any sores or problems they might be having . Many a time I have been petting one of the Aussies and found thorns or slivers in their skin. If left in, they could become infected and are an irritant to your pet. Every 2 weeks I clip the dogs' toenails and inspect their eyes, ears, feet and feel all over them to be sure there are no problems developing or skin irritants. Your Aussie will look forward to his grooming time with you. Aussie are a clean dog and should rarely need bathing. Mine get bathed about 4 times a year unless something comes up unexpected.
It is also good to handle your dogs feet regularly. I put my fingers between their toes and rub their feet. As they grow, they will get use to you handling them and there should be no problem when you clip their nails.
First thing, teach your dog to fetch. When you roll a ball your dog should go to it. When he does, say, "Good Boy!" Soon he will sniff it or pick it up. Again "Good Boy" and reinforce it with a treat. When he picks it up, call him back to you. Soon he will come to you with the ball and really praise him good. Now you are ready.
Buy some toys: Chuck-it, soft frisbee, tennis balls, and tug of war rope. A chuck-it is a long handled tennis ball holder that allows you to throw a tennis ball a loooooong way. The soft frisbees do not tear dog's mouths or hurt their teeth so it encourages them to catch it. They also have a chuck-it flying squirrel frisbee that is nice. If I go out to clean the yard, hang the clothes, or just sit and relax, the dogs all go get their favorite toys. Whether you have one dog or several, they can all play together.
Most evenings you can find me out in the swing, tossing frisbees, tennis balls and, with my other hand, playing tug of war with Sunny. I toss the balls and frisbees in different directions so all get to play without Cody trying to get everything. Playing is BONDING with your dog.
What a beautiful relationship Aussies have with children. A child can spend the day romping with the pet, throwing sticks and balls to play fetch, share their lunch, go for a walk or hike, or cuddle on the floor with their beloved pet while reading a book. An Aussie will be your childs best friend...with the right training.
Aussies, as a herding dog, want to be with his family all the time to watch over, protect and get involved in family activities. To be able to enjoy your Aussie doing all the fun stuff with your family, start right out when they are young with training. Understand that dogs are pack animals. They have a clearly defined chain of command. They respect members of the pack who are higher up in rank than they are. You must always be the leader of the pack. As a pack leader and responsible dog owner, it is up to you to teach your puppy and your children which behaviors are acceptable. This takes time and effort on your part but it allows your puppy to grow inot a well behaved adult living in a human world. Establish guidelines and always be sure the children are supervised while interacting with your pet. Children should be taught how to handle and play with your Aussie. Dogs do not like pinching, poking, kicking or hitting any more than we do. You are the key figure in teaching your chilren how to treat your pet. Too, herding dogs need to be taught they cannot herd, nip or jump up on childen or adults. It all takes time and if you put that time into your pet now, you will enjoy the next 12-15 years with a wonderful Aussie.
