How to Adopt an Australian Shepherd in Wisconsin

The Australian shepherd. A medium-sized dog with tons of unique eye colors, coat colors, and other quirks that make them very desirable dogs. Not only are they cute, but they’re also smart, intuitive, and easy to care for if you have the time to exercise, train, and play with them. Still, Australian shepherds seem to be a long way from home in Wisconsin, so is the breed even a good choice for adoption?

Luckily, Australian shepherds (Aussies) aren’t even from Australia. In fact, they come from California, so they’re better equipped for Wisconsin’s climate than you may think. Aussies can handle the moderate summers if they’re hydrated, and the ice-cold winters won’t bother them too much. Plus, they love to play in the snow.

Sure, Aussies are a good fit for Wisconsin in general, but there’s more to it than that. Having a backyard helps, for one, and so does not living in a cramped apartment in Milwaukee. Training them, keeping an eye on shedding when they blow their double coat, and keeping them happy are also important. Read on to learn more about adopting an Aussie in Wisconsin.

How Do You Adopt an Australian Shepherd in Wisconsin?

The adoption process itself is where things get complicated. In Wisconsin, the Department of Agriculture mandates that Australian shepherds and other dogs can’t be adopted until they’re at least seven weeks old. This is to ensure that they have time to grow and are spayed and neutered by the adoption organization caring for them.

You also need to meet a few requirements before you can adopt an Australian shepherd. You must be at least 18 years old, and some animal shelters and rescues may require you to be 21. It’s also important that you have enough space and several hours available every day to care for them.

Adoption organizations will ask you questions on a questionnaire and during an interview process to ensure you meet these requirements.

Speaking of meeting requirements, many adoption organizations will visit your home as well. Someone will check to see if you lied about anything and to ensure that your home is big enough for an Australian shepherd. If you live in a studio apartment in Milwaukee, for example, you may get rejected.

Once you’re approved, which can take several days, you can pay the adoption fee and bring your Australian shepherd home.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt an Australian Shepherd in Wisconsin Adopting an Australian shepherd in Wisconsin is more affordable than finding a local breeder in Madison. For example, some organizations, like the Wisconsin Humane Society, can charge fees as low as $25 to $75. That said, the average cost to adopt is around $150 to $300 for Australian shepherds in Wisconsin.

How Should I Train an Australian Shepherd? Training an Australian shepherd should be something that’s fun, exciting, and stimulating. These dogs need about two hours of physical and mental stimulation every day, so creating a routine that you can both follow is a good idea. Now, if you’re not sure where to even begin, don’t worry, because we have your back. Our online Australian shepherd training programs will help you understand positive reward-based training, what Aussies respond well to, and much more. Once you understand the basics, you can really take their training in any direction. For example, if you want to hike through the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, you’ll want to incorporate socialization, leash training, and advanced commands. Therefore, how you train an Aussie in Wisconsin depends on your goals. Dog Training with Dog Academy

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Find the Right Australian Shepherd in Wisconsin for You

It doesn’t matter if you’re outside a bigger city, like Milwaukee, or if you live in a more rural area; Aussies are great dogs to adopt. Not only are they cute, friendly, trainable, and loyal, but they can also keep your property and family safe.

Plus, they’re not the biggest dogs around, so an average-sized two or three-bedroom house with a backyard is more than enough for an Australian shepherd to be happy.

Also, with so many parks and areas to explore, even if you live in a more populous area, hitting your Aussie’s exercise goals is possible.