Aussies need to be groomed regularly to avoid any tangles and knots developing in their coats. Daily brushing also keeps their skin in good condition which is important because they are known to suffer from certain skin allergies. It also pays to take these little dogs to be professionally groomed at least 3 to 4 times a year which makes it easier to keep their coats tidy in between their visits to a grooming parlour.
Aussies only need to be bathed a few times a year unless otherwise necessary. Over bathing a dog can result in upsetting the natural pH balance of their skin and it's important to always use a dog-specific shampoo for the same reason.
Puppies need to be introduced to grooming tools from a young age and they also need to be taught that having their paws touched in a nice experience. Puppies and young dogs soon come to look forward to the one-to-one they get when they are being brushed which means that grooming them is never a drama.
Although only small in stature, Aussies need to be given a lot of daily exercise and this needs to include a lot of mental stimulation too. A bored Aussie can quickly develop bad habits which can be hard to correct later on.
Aussies are typical of the terrier breed and need to be kept mentally stimulated which means being given lots of things to do and to play lots of interactive games with them as often as possible is also important. Puppies only need to be given a little daily exercise because their bones and joints are still growing and developing. However, once they have all their vaccinations, it's important that an Aussie be introduced to as many new situations as possible for them to grow up to be well-rounded, confident characters.
As with all breeds, the Aussie needs to be fed a good quality, well-balanced diet that suits the different stages of their lives. If you are getting a puppy from a breeder, they will give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to it, feeding the same kind of food to avoid puppy from getting a tummy upset. You can change their diet a little further down the line, but this needs to be done gradually making sure that a puppy does not get the runs and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet. You would then need to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change their diet again.
Older Aussies are not known to be finicky about their food, but this does not mean they can be fed a lower quality diet. As previously mentioned, it's important to feed these little terriers good quality food and to keep an eye on their weight especially as dogs get older.
