Australian Shepherds are brilliant, loving, and high-energy dogs that were bred with the intention of herding cattle or performing in agility sports, so it’s no wonder Aussies are known to have really high energy. But do Aussies get calmer as they age?
Aussies will begin to settle down around 18 months to 2 years old when you should start to see their calmer side. Maturing into calmer dogs may continue until 3 or 4 years of age as Aussies learn how to regulate their energy and emotions.
Two years old is the general basis for maturity in dogs, but depending on your Australian Shepherd’s genetic background, there is a possibility it can take a little longer. As intelligent, high-energy dogs, Aussies should get regular exercise, no matter how much they calm down over time. So let’s dive into the life stages of an Aussie and ways to help them relax!
Will your Aussie calm down with age?
Aussies will calm down with age, but until they reach maturity it is helpful that you establish a routine with training and activities. Creating a structured lifestyle for your Aussie will help them grow into a well-balanced dog and understand when to have an on-and-off switch.
There are four main growth stages for an Australian Shepherd:
Stage 1: Puppies in the 1-4 month age range tend to be curious about new people and places. You’ll see their playful and high-energy moments come out, but they are still sleeping a large portion of their day. Check out the related post of How to Care for Aussie Puppies.
Stage 2: Once your Aussie reaches 4-12 months they usually have the most energy and need lots of training. Unless they are given ample training or exercise, you can expect your Aussie to get into mischief since they are constantly looking for the next thing to do.
Stage 3: From 1-3 years old, they should start self-regulating their energy. Any habits from the previous stages of their life will now become more cemented as they begin to transition into adulthood. Be consistent with energy outlets, training, and rest periods to ensure you break any bad habits.
Stage 4: Once your Aussie reaches ages 3-7 years of age, they are officially mature dogs. You’ll notice calmer behavior including fewer energy outbursts. It is still vital to give them proper physical and mental stimulation as they continue to calm down.
When they are a senior, ages 8+ years, they are no longer in a growth stage. Aussie seniors may even require more mental than physical stimulation as they experience physical limitations due to aging.
What activities can help calm an Aussie?
Australian Shepherd’s ancestors come from working dogs used to protect a farm or herd cattle. This leaves many homebound Aussies overly excited because they are confused about handling their natural desire to work.
Using fun, challenging exercises that use an Aussie’s mind and body will allow them channel their abundant energy. Here are some energy-calming activities.
- Go on a walk with your Aussie, allowing them to sniff and explore the scenery. Dogs have hundreds of millions of scent receptors. Allow your dog to stop and sniff on your walk to burn mental energy helping them to relax.
- Consider getting your Aussie into dog play day or agility training to give them a job to perform. Anxiety and restlessness can come from the lack of a job. Aussies are known to thrive in agility where they can test their psychical limits by weaving through poles and tunnels and jumping over hurdles.
- Stuffing and freezing a Kong toy with peanut butter or one of your Aussies meals can be an excellent tool for crate training or downtime.
- A variety of challenging puzzles can help keep your Aussie’s mind busy. Here are some great puzzle options:
The act of licking is known to be self-soothing for dogs and working on a kong or similar treat toy usually takes about 10-20 minutes leaving your Aussie at ease by the time they finish.
Besides mental stimulation, physical exercise is recommended several times a day. Try to end every day with a long structured walk where you focus more on training and strengthening your connection.
Practice queues such as heel, watch me, wait, etc on your walks for a more effortless experience for you both. An evening walk will burn off any last-minute excitement before bed and help your Aussie wind down.
For more activities, here’s a post on the Top 5 Ways to Keep an Aussie Entertained.
Final Thoughts
Australian Shepherds are loving companions that enjoy being involved in any activity you take part in, but also have high requirements for physical and mental stimulation. As they go through their stages of life, continue to give them multiple outlets a day to expend energy. Exercise and training will be the backbone in helping you raise a calm Aussie, but chances are you will not see a naturally calm side in them until they grow to 2-5 years old.
Providing physical and mental exercise and a job to do will create a well-rounded Aussie that will learn how to use their on-and-off switch.
