Obedience Training With The Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd isn’t just a pretty face with boundless energy—this breed is a working dog through and through. Originally bred to herd livestock, the Aussie’s drive, intelligence, and stamina make them both a joy and a challenge to live with.

At OverWatch K9 Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, we specialize in helping high-drive dogs like Australian Shepherds become focused, obedient, and enjoyable companions—without losing the spark that makes them special.

Genetics At Play: Why Aussies are wired differently

Australian Shepherds were bred to control livestock with speed, strategy, and independence. That herding instinct comes from a blend of prey drive (chase and motion) and defensive drive (control and space management). While these instincts once helped them move cattle and sheep, in modern homes they often show up as:

Chasing bikes, cars, or squirrels with intensity
Nipping at heels of people or other dogs
Resource guarding toys or food
Extreme sensitivity to sound, movement, and spatial pressure

Aussies are also known for their spatial awareness. If your dog comes when called but stops several feet away, or freezes at a doorway waiting for you to “shift,” that’s not confusion—it’s breed-specific perception. These dogs read pressure and space better than most.

Channeling Drive Into Obedience

Obedience for an Australian Shepherd isn’t just about sitting when asked—it’s about fulfilling their need for mental and physical engagement while creating structure. At OverWatch K9 Academy, we don’t suppress drive—we channel it into focused work.

Using methods rooted in animal behavior science and years of hands-on experience, we:

Use high-value rewards (treats, toys, praise) to build engagement
Shape obedience behaviors through clear communication and repetition
Reinforce behaviors with markers and structured e-collar pairing for off-leash reliability

We want your Aussie to explode into a sit, hold it with intensity, and fly back to you on recall—not because they fear a correction, but because they love working for you.

Through our programs, we teach dogs to think and problem-solve while being obedient—without dulling their personality.

Common Training challenges in australian shepherds

Some of the most common problems Aussie owners call us for include:

Pulling like a freight train on the leash
Ignoring recall, especially when distracted
Barking at anything that moves
Fixating on motion (bikes, joggers, other dogs)
“Bubble behavior”—hesitating to enter tight spaces or cross thresholds

We understand these quirks not as misbehavior, but as expressions of drive and instinct. Our training helps redirect these tendencies into productive behaviors, giving you more control and giving your dog more confidence.

From Overwhelmed to obedient

We offer both board and train programs and private lessons for Aussie owners. Each program is customized to fit your dog’s personality, your household’s needs, and your goals.

Your Australian Shepherd will:

Learn structured obedience cues (heel, sit, down, place, recall)
Build calmness through impulse control exercises
Learn how to make good choices, not just follow commands
Experience real-world distractions, outings, and new environments

We’ll coach you on how to maintain and grow the training at home, making sure your dog’s success lasts well beyond our time together.

real experience with aussies

Australian Shepherds are the 8th most common breed we train—and for good reason. We know them well. In fact, one of our owners, Paige, owned an Aussie named Dent who inspired much of our approach to high-drive, high-intelligence dogs. Plus one of our lead trainers, Jessica, owns an Australian Shepherd named Asher that helps her demo obedience to our potential clients!

That firsthand experience, paired with decades of professional training and behavior work, gives us the tools to help your Aussie thrive.

Australian Shepherd Training in Atlanta, Georgia

If you’re ready to stop managing your Aussie’s behavior and start enjoying your time together, we’re here to help. Training doesn’t have to be frustrating—it can be fulfilling for both of you.