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I OFTEN GET ASKED QUESTIONS AND THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE WHAT I KNOW:
WHAT I HAVE FOUND OVER THE YEARS OF LIVING AND BREATHING AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS IS:
MALES: ARE MORE PLAYFUL AND EAGER TO DO WHATEVER THEIR FAMILY'S WANT TO DO.
FEMALES:ARE MORE PROTECTIVE AND WARY OF STRANGERS. THEY TOO ARE PLAYFUL BUT THE MALES MORE SO.
2. GROOMING: WHAT KIND OF GROOMING IS REQUIRED WITH AN AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD?
EVEN THOUGH AUSSIES HAVE LONG HAIR, THEY DO NOT SHED MORE THAN A SHORTHAIRED DOG. I ACTUALLY SEE THEM SHED LESS. THEY DO NEED A GOOD BRUSHING ONCE A WEEK AND IF YOUR AUSSIE IS RUNNING IN WOODS, I TRIM MINE IN THE SUMMER TO KEEP THE STICKERS FROM GETTING INTO THEIR COATS. i TRIM OFF THE FRINGE ON THE LEGS AND TRIM THE COAT TO ABOUT BELLY AREA.
3. HOW DO I KEEP MY AUSSIE FROM BECOMING AGGRESSIVE?
AS A HERDING DOG, AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS ARE VERY INTUNED TO THEIR FAMILIES AND PROTECTIVE AS IF IT WERE THEIR HERD. THEY ARE NATURALLY WARY OF STRANGERS. SOME BLOODLINES ARE MORE SO THUS YOU DEFINATELY NEED TO MEET THE PARENTS. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU SOCIALIZE YOUR AUSSIE TO TEACH HIM TO BE KIND, FRIENDLY AND RESPECTFUL. TO DO THIS YOU NEED TO START YOUR PUPPY RIGHT OUT MEETING PEOPLE AND OTHER DOGS, DON'T LOCK YOUR DOG AWAY WHEN FRIENDS COME OVER. HAVE HIM MEET THEM AND PARTICIPATE BEING SOCIAL. IF HE IS RAMBUNCTIOUS OR LIKES TO JUMP, HAVE HIM ON A LEASH WHEN FRIENDS COME VISIT. HAVE A BOX OF TREATS BY THE DOOR AND ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO PET AND TREAT YOUR DOG SO THEY LEARN THAT VISITORS ARE FRIENDS. THIS WILL NOT DISCOURAGE THEM FROM BECOMING AGGRESSIVE WITH INTRUDERS. THEY SENSE YOUR FEAR. THEY WILL KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. THEY ARE VERY INTELLIGENT. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH THEY KNOW.
I MAKE MY OWN DOG TREATS SO I KNOW JUST WHAT IS IN THEM AND KNOW THEY ARE WHOLESOME FOR MY DOGS. HERE IS THE EASY RECIPE:
2 CUPS WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR
1/2 CUP CORN MEAL
2 EGGS
1/4 CUP HONEY
1/4 CUP MOLASSES
THE FOLLOWING, GRIND ALL OF THIS TOGETHER AFTER COOKING AND ADD TO FLOUR MIXTURE
2 CUPS OF ANY KIND OF MEAT (IF I HAVE MEAT THAT GETS FROSTY OR OLD IN THE FREEZER , I USE THAT). SOMETIMES I HAVE PEPPERONI ON HAND AND CHOP A BIT OF THAT INTO THE MIX
1 SMALL CAN OF PUMPKIN OR 1 CUP SQUASH
NOW FROM HERE I ADD WHATEVER I HAVE:
1 CUP FRUIT LIKE APPLES, BLUEBERRIES OR CRANBERRIES
1 CUP PEAS, CARROTS, MIXED VEGES OR WHATEVER.
I POUR THIS INTO GREASED COOKIE SHEETS AND BAKE FOR 2 1/2 HOURS ON 275 DEGREES. CUT INTO PIECES. I KEEP MINE IN THE FREEZER AS THEY LIKE THE CRUNCHY TREATS. MAKES A BUNCH!
YUM!
CAUTION : DO NOT USE CHOCOLATE, RAISINS OR GRAPES AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO YOU PETS.