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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
    
Location: Dearing, GA | I recently sold out, including the horse and truck, and moved to Florida for work. I have an 8 month old mini Aussie puppy, and she came with me. She's used to having a backyard she can play in, but now in an apartment, that obviously can't happen. She is a trooper, but I can tell she's getting bored (we've been here a month). I take her to the park or the beach every day, but still she's going a little stir crazy being inside. She did have playmates when I lived in Tennessee, and I'm wondering if some company would make her feel better. I cannot do another dog, but I'm considering getting a cat. Does anyone have any tips on either keeping a cat (read: litter box) in a small-ish apartment, or things I can do with my dog to really wear her down and exhaust her mentally and physically? |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | I'm living in military housing which is basically like a townhouse with an Australian Shepherd. I've found that to keep him from getting bored I really just have to exercise him the majority of days out of the week. I go for runs quite frequently and always take him with me. I also play a lot of "hide and seek" type games with him and he LOVES it. Aussies just aren't apartment dogs... it takes a lot of work to keep them from getting bored but it's certainly doable. |
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Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | BarrelRacing4Christ - 2017-04-25 6:00 PM I'm living in military housing which is basically like a townhouse with an Australian Shepherd. I've found that to keep him from getting bored I really just have to exercise him the majority of days out of the week. I go for runs quite frequently and always take him with me. I also play a lot of "hide and seek" type games with him and he LOVES it. Aussies just aren't apartment dogs... it takes a lot of work to keep them from getting bored but it's certainly doable.
Hide and seek is a good idea!
She has a plethora of toys that she loves, and we go for a walk, to the park, or to the beach to play with others dogs every single day. I know its wearing her out physically (85% of the time), but she needs some mental stimulation. |
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Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | Just Let Me Run - 2017-04-25 4:03 PM
BarrelRacing4Christ - 2017-04-25 6:00 PM I'm living in military housing which is basically like a townhouse with an Australian Shepherd. I've found that to keep him from getting bored I really just have to exercise him the majority of days out of the week. I go for runs quite frequently and always take him with me. I also play a lot of "hide and seek" type games with him and he LOVES it. Aussies just aren't apartment dogs... it takes a lot of work to keep them from getting bored but it's certainly doable.
Hide and seek is a good idea!
She has a plethora of toys that she loves, and we go for a walk, to the park, or to the beach to play with others dogs every single day. I know its wearing her out physically (85% of the time), but she needs some mental stimulation.
Seriously give the hide and seek a try! Or look up new tricks to teach her. |
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 Too Skinny
Posts: 8009
Location: LA Lower Alabama | Get some of those treat toys that they have to play with to get rewarded or fill a kong with peanut butter so she has to work for it. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | I have a toy aussie pup and she has a ton of different toys she plays with. Our local pet store sells homemade chicken jerky type treats. They are great for my pup, she's so tiny and the treats are about 6" by 3" so they last her a while. Gives her something to chew on and she can actually eat it (she tries to eat everything that hits the floor). IF you wanted another animal, my pup LOVES our cats. She gets along with the cats way better than the other dogs because the cats are her size. Our cats play back with her and they will rough house/wrestle all over the house (which is small). |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 670
Location: Running my kids somewhere. | I have found that the Kongs do work to keep my regular and mini aussies busy for part of the day. I have put hard treats in the peanut butter as well. If mine are loose in the house I will fill mulitple Kongs and hide them so they need to work at it. I know we all have to work so walks may not always be in the cards. I have taught a couple of mine to trot on the treadmill. I have done this in the morning as I am getting ready in the morning. It is just another tool to try if you have the means. Yes aussie's need excersie but I have known many minis that were townhouse/condo dogs.
They can be a bit more challenging than some but I will never be without mine. |
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Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | Thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like a couple of Kongs are good investments!
She LOVED her kitty when I lived in Tennessee, so I have no hesitations about her with a cat. I just don't want to deal with the litter box in such a small place!!
Thanks y'all. |
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 Go Canada!
Posts: 2954
| Kongs are a great investment! I fill mine up with peanut butter and then freeze |
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OT- Bored dog