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The Australian shepherd, or Aussie, is truly one-of-a-kind. These 40 to 60-pound herding dogs are smart, adaptable, and even easy to train. That said, all you need is the time, knowledge, and skill to do so. It also helps to know if Ohio is even the right fit for you and an Australian shepherd. If you live in Cleveland or Cincinnati, for example, an apartment may not give an Aussie enough room to play. After all, they need at least two hours of exercise daily, and even 30 minutes to an hour of mental stimulation.
Aside from the location, what about Ohio’s climate? While the winter isn’t a problem for Aussies due to their double coats, summers in Ohio can easily reach their comfort threshold of 75 degrees. On hotter days, you’ll need to be careful with your Australian shepherd, as they can easily overheat.
Understanding how to adopt an Australian shepherd in Ohio is important because it’s not the same thing as buying one from an Aussie breeder. Fortunately, this article helps you every step of the way. Learn more below.
How Do You Adopt an Australian Shepherd in Ohio?
To adopt an Australian shepherd in Ohio, you first need to meet a handful of requirements, and so does the dog. Ohio state law prevents dogs that are less than eight weeks old from being adopted, and you need to be at least 18 to even fill out the paperwork. Aside from these requirements, many organizations have their own rules, like the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter. This shelter requires children who are nine years old or younger, and other dogs, to meet with the Aussie before adopting to ensure that they get along.
Meeting these requirements is a good start, but you still have to fill out the necessary paperwork to bring them home. In Ohio, most animal adoption organizations will request personal information about you and anyone who will interact with the dog. This information is often obtained through a questionnaire, which includes information about your home, its members, and other animals you have or had. Once this information is complete, you’ll go through an interview with a staff member.
Getting through these two steps is a good start and means that you’re almost there! While all strays must be held for at least 72 hours in Ohio, you can now meet with the dog. This is a good time for meet and greets and to meet other shelter-specific requirements. After a home visit and making contact with your references, you’ll be approved or rejected.
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How Much Does It Cost to Adopt an Australian Shepherd in Ohio?Expect to spend between $75 and $350 to adopt an Australian shepherd in Ohio. You’ll find that the price fluctuates based on the organization and county, so keep this in mind. For example, some smaller groups, like Cause for Canines, charge around $195 for many adoptions, which is more than some counties. |
How Should I Train an Australian ShepherdWe love that Australian shepherds are adventurous dogs, but you need to point that sense of adventure in the right direction. If you want adventure through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, for example, your Aussie needs to be trained to handle that type of excursion. This means leash training, commands, obedience, and socialization. While this may sound like a lot, the good news is that we offer online Australian shepherd training courses that cover all the Aussie essentials. Now, if you don’t plan on hiking or exploring with your Aussie, but you do plan on going out in public, socialization is key. Instead of your Aussie barking at other dogs and people at a brewery in Cincinnati, they’ll behave, especially with a little bit of obedience training. As you can see, how you train your Aussie depends on your goals. Regardless of the training goal, always use positive reward-based training. This is a unique training method that rewards your Aussie for good behaviors without being too negative if a mistake happens. Not only is this method backed by science, but it tends to have the best results. |
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Find the Right Australian Shepherd in Ohio for You
Now that you know how to adopt an Australian shepherd in Ohio, it comes down to finding one. Spend some time checking in with local shelters, rescues, and animal foster programs for the best results, or check some of our online adoption tools. Then, once you find an Aussie, make sure they get along well with you and your family before you finally bring them home.
