Frequently Asked Questions

Our breeding program, puppy rearing, and placement practices have evolved over the past 20 years of living, training, breeding and learning alongside Australian Shepherds. We draw on the guidance of breeders, mentors, veterinarians, trainers, nutritionists and other specialists.

Below are some of the most common questions we are asked about how we raise, train and care for our Australian Shepherds.

Do you have any puppies available?
Many breeders will not respond to inquiries that simply ask if they have puppies available. We recommend taking the time to introduce yourself and share some information about your home, lifestyle, dog experience, interests and goals for your dog. If you are interested in being considered for a MountainAsh puppy, please complete our Questionnaire. This is the first step in our placement process and gives us an opportunity to learn more about you while allowing you to tell us what you are looking for in an Australian Shepherd.

How are the puppies raised?
Puppies are raised in our home, receiving lots of love and attention as they grow, and ongoing socialization and age-appropriate training. With continued love and guidance, as well as clear boundaries and rules, in their forever homes they will thrive as adult dogs and serve as wonderful active companions with the potential to excel in many different venues.

What is socialization?
Puppy socialization begins as a neonate while in the breeder’s care and should continue in their forever homes. The term "socialization" is often misunderstood. Socialization is not only about interacting with other dogs. Socialization means teaching life skills. Exposing a puppy to every possible skill that they might need to be a happy, confident, well-adjusted adult dog.

We follow the "Puppy Culture Program" - age appropriate socialization and training specifically developed for puppies, which includes Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) per Dr Carmen L. Battaglia. Our puppies are also exposed to noise conditioning with sounds of fireworks, thunderstorms, horns, engines, vacuums, sheep, ducks and geese, dogs, babies, and many others. Puppies are exposed to a variety of people, children, sights, sounds, textures, and other animals.

Puppies are socialized in various controlled environments to ensure enriched positive experiences. This is done in our home, on our property, and other select locations. We follow Monique Anstee's puppy socialization list "Socializing Your Puppy: how it should look", and "The Puppy's Rules of Twelve" by Margaret Hughes. Both Monique and Margaret created a wonderful set of guidelines about what puppies should experience with the breeder and in their forever homes.

How do Australian Shepherds thrive in a home?
Australian Shepherds are deeply devoted to their families and were bred to work closely with their owners. They thrive when their owners are committed to training, enrichment, thoughtful socialization, and developing a strong connection with their dog.

What foundation training do puppies receive?
Puppies are well-started on their foundation skills and training before going to their forever homes. They are introduced to collars and leashes, a vocabulary of words, handling, grooming, crate training, and house training. To further this basic training, puppies should be enrolled in at least two 6-8 week series of obedience classes before 12 months of age. As an intelligent, active, and highly versatile Herding breed, Australian Shepherds thrive when they are mentally and physically stimulated. Training should become a hobby for the life of the dog.

Why is crate training important?
Crate training is an important life skill for a dog. Puppies are well-started on crate training while in our care. There are many benefits to crate training and, when done properly, a crate becomes a safe and comforting place for a dog. A dog that is crate trained will be comfortable if confined for vehicle/plane travel, vet/groomer visits, boarding/dog sitting, new environments, etc. If this skill is not taught at a young age they will panic and suffer undue stress during times of confinement. It is beneficial to have a crate available to the dog as their space for the duration of their life.

How do you approach house training?
Puppies are well-started on their house training before leaving our care. Crate training is our favourite method of house training. We use a consistent routine, appropriate confinement and careful attention to timing and supervision.  Set up a routine, and never correct a puppy for relieving itself, but give plenty of praise when they go in the right place. Take puppies outside as soon as they wake up, after eating, have played, or appear restless. As a general rule, puppies do not have full muscle control until approximately 16 weeks of age. Be patient and have a good sense of timing!

How do you introduce grooming?
Australian Shepherds are a double-coated breed. The undercoat protects them from the elements – both hot and cold. Coats are very functional - dirt and debris fall off as the dog dries and a quick brush to get out any seeds, burrs, etc. Australian Shepherds should never be shaved, but always brushed. Shaving damages the coat and changes the texture which can cause matting and other problems. Puppies are regularly handled, bathed, groomed and have their nails trimmed with a Dremel tool. Line brushing helps keep the coat healthy while removing dirt and loose hair. Puppies should get use to being handled and having this done at an early age to maintain a proper grooming regimen. It should be a pleasant time together and a normal part of life.

What do you feed your Australian Shepherds?
Our dogs are fed a balanced raw food diet. Feeding raw provides a range of benefits that processed dog kibble diets can never hope to match. Puppies are introduced to solid food at 3-4 weeks of age and gradually transition to a more varied raw food diet that includes raw meat, bone, organ, fruit and veggies, raw meaty bones, and supplements. By 8 weeks of age puppies are accustomed to eating three meals per day. Adult dogs are fed twice per day. Complete feeding guidelines, meals, supplements, chews, training treats are outlined in our New Owner Guide.

What is your vaccination and healthcare philosophy?
We follow the canine vaccination protocol designed by Dr Jean Dodds DVM, an immunologist and foremost expert in pet healthcare. This protocol includes antibody titer testing to maximize protection while minimizing vaccine related health risks. We also seek counsel from holistic veterinarians that have additional certifications in homeopathy, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic and other holistic approaches which allows them to draw from alternative methods to promote health and longevity in their patients.

Why do you require delayed spay/neuter?
We require a much later date of 18-24 months for spay/neuter based on studies that prove dogs need to physically and mentally mature before being altered - growth plates in particular must be allowed to complete their closure. The long-term health risks associated with early spay/neuter are well-documented. Studies have proven that there are permanent growth issues in dogs that are altered before maturity, while also increasing the risk of injury, behavioural issues, urinary incontinence, a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and more.

How do you approach exercise and injury prevention?
Puppies have growth plates, which are areas of soft, immature bone from which bones grow and lengthen. These plates don’t fully close and harden until 18 months of age. It is critical that all strenuous, high-impact, repetitive activities are kept to a minimum until these growth plates have closed. Not doing so could cause permanent injury, a weakened skeletal structure and a dog that is more prone to injury, ALC tears and other issues - hip and elbow dysplasia. There are also many serious health issues associated with pet obesity. We believe owners play an important role in advocating for their dog's long-term health.

What should owners know about MDR1 and drug sensitivities?
Australian Shepherds, and several other breeds, can carry a genetic mutation (MDR1) that makes them sensitive to certain medications. Use of those drugs can cause serious neurological illness or death. Naturally reared dogs often do not attract parasites. We do not recommend using flea/tick/worm pesticides unless absolutely necessary (and never on a monthly basis). Administering these toxic insecticides can be detrimental to long-term brain and organ health. In many cases, seizures, neurological illness, or death have been reported in Australian Shepherds after exposure.