Australian Shepherd: City & Flat Living

Julien919
Julien919 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

My name’s Julien, and I’m seriously considering getting an Australian Shepherd this autumn. As the title suggests, I live in a city flat.

I’m the type of person who overthinks things and I’m always concerned about the welfare of others (animals included), so I’m hesitant because I’m terrified of making a mistake.

Now, I know having a dog in a flat isn’t ideal. And I know an Aussie needs space and plenty of activity.

My parents have a six-year-old female Aussie (not Kennel Club registered), so I know the breed well and I’m used to them. Although she isn’t the most obedient—she’s actually quite stubborn due to a lack of training—and she gets hyper whenever there’s a crowd, she is a very calm dog at home. She sleeps most of the day and has never been destructive at their place. She’s a real “velcro dog”; when I’m at theirs, she follows me like a shadow. During lockdown, she used to hide under my bed to sleep whenever I was in my room during the day, and she’d shadow me everywhere I went (even waiting outside the loo door) before heading back to her spot under the bed to make sure I was still nearby.

They have a garden (about 4,300 square feet/400m²). She spends her days out there from spring onwards, but otherwise, she’s an indoor dog. In winter or on rainy days, she just stays in the utility room waiting. She gets very little exercise—except when I dog-sit or visit and we go for a run—and yet her temperament is perfectly fine.

I realise that having a dog in a flat means extra constraints regarding walks, organisation, and so on. However, taking my parents’ dog as an example, I think she’d be just as happy in a flat with me going for a run three times a week (on top of regular walks) as she is with them. At their house, her physical activity consists of occasionally barking at passers-by in a garden with no toys or structured exercise.

Do any of you have an Australian Shepherd in a flat?

How is it going? Is the training more intensive?

Is your dog happy? Do you regret your choice?

Thanks for your replies! 👋

Translated from French
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16 answers
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    • G
    Gazellesophistique8250 Icon representing the flag French
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    My neighbour has an Australian Shepherd. Their flat is only 48 square metres! The dog is constantly restless—he thumps around, makes a right racket and is always scratching, though thankfully he doesn’t bark. It’s obvious he hardly ever gets out. He’s miserable. I honestly think it’s bordering on animal neglect...
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    “I suggest you get a puppy”

    That’s honestly the kind of advice I just don’t understand. A flat really isn’t the best place to house-train a puppy.

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    Loustick
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    Hi there, why would you want to put this dog in a crate? Forget the puppy pads; it’s a bad idea as it hampers toilet training (it makes the dog think it’s okay to go indoors, preferably on the carpet).

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    M
    Millepattesenergique3879 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi! I’m currently living in a flat with my boyfriend and we’re getting an Australian Shepherd puppy in a fortnight. I’d recommend getting a playpen and putting some puppy pads inside so they can be house-trained and to help teach them where to go. And make sure to buy them some toys as well!
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    Docline
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    Oh, but I do agree with you. I was just saying that I used to take my Aussie for much more varied walks when I lived in a small city flat, and I did specify that I used the car (I’ve never walked a dog “in the city” – how dreadful. For a start, my health doesn’t allow me to walk on hard ground anyway). In the town where I lived, I had the choice of three huge parks, including one where everyone went off-lead, plus riverbanks, estuaries, and so on. The big advantage for a dog was that he had a thousand times more doggy friends than he does now that I live in the countryside; it’s actually rubbish for dog walking here, I have to drive nearly 10 miles just to stand a chance of finding other dogs for him to play with. For an Australian Shepherd, that’s really important. Anyway, I still don’t understand why @kangerls misunderstood my post, or why you (@Guldboll) accused me of making my dog neurotic about pavements or leads... Please take the trouble to actually read what I've written before having a go at people, thanks.
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    Docline
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    Err... I don’t really see what you’re finding so confusing about my post about my Australian Shepherd.
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    My nine-year-old Aussie is currently living in a house deep in the countryside. From age four to seven, he was in a house with a secure garden. And before that, in a small two-bedroom flat. To be honest, his best years were in that little flat because I took him on more walks, they were more varied, and most importantly, he had loads more doggy mates. But I had a car and the time back then. I must be bloody thick because I don't understand your logic at all, let alone this attitude. When you no longer have the time to look after your dog, you find someone who will. Julien, have a look through the countless posts on this forum about the problems this breed faces in urban environments. Stressed, aggressive dogs—all down to some people's selfishness.
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    Docline
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    My 9-year-old Australian Shepherd is currently living in a house deep in the countryside. From the age of 4 to 7, he was in a house with a secure garden. And before that, in a small two-bedroom flat. Clearly, his best years were in that little flat because I took him out for more walks, they were more varied, and above all, he had way more doggy friends.

    But I had a car back then, and the time.

    Translated from French

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