Your Dog’s Life Roadmap

🥩Nutrition

• Feed Your Dog 3–4 small meals daily using a quality puppy-specific formula
• Choose food appropriate for Australian Shepherd size — large breeds need controlled calcium levels
• Avoid table scraps — Your Dog's digestive system is still sensitive
• Monitor weight weekly — Your Dog should grow steadily without becoming pudgy

💉Health

• Complete Your Dog's puppy vaccination series (typically 10–12 weeks, then 14–16 weeks)
• Begin monthly heartworm prevention — important across most of Australia
• Set up a regular worming schedule every 3 months going forward
• Discuss desexing timing with your vet — recommendations vary by Australian Shepherd size

🎓Training

• Now is the critical socialisation window — expose Your Dog to friendly people, dogs, and new environments
• Teach sit, stay, and come using positive reward-based methods
• Begin toilet training with consistency — take Your Dog outside every 2 hours
• Enrol Your Dog in a puppy pre-school class for structured socialisation

🎾Exercise

• Follow the 5-minute rule: 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice daily
• At 3 months, that's 15 minutes twice a day for Your Dog
• Stick to soft grass — avoid concrete and hard footpaths on growing joints
• Mental stimulation through puzzle feeders counts as enrichment too

🥩Nutrition

• Transition Your Dog to 2 meals per day as their routine becomes more consistent
• Large-breed Australian Shepherds should stay on puppy food until 12–18 months for controlled growth
• Small breeds can often transition to adult food from around 9–10 months
• Watch for adolescent weight gain — activity levels change and portions may need adjusting

💉Health

• Schedule Your Dog's annual booster vaccination at 12 months
• Discuss desexing timing if not yet done — most Australian Shepherds are desexed between 6–18 months
• Start a tick prevention routine — especially important during Australian summer
• Check Your Dog's teeth regularly — dental disease can start as early as 12 months

🎓Training

• Adolescence means testing boundaries — stay consistent and patient with Your Dog
• Reinforce all basic commands daily using reward-based training
• Focus on loose-leash walking — a very common challenge at this stage
• Consider advanced puppy classes if Your Dog is struggling with a particular behaviour

🎾Exercise

• Gradually increase exercise as Your Dog's growth plates close, usually around 12–18 months
• Mix structured walks with free play in a secure yard or off-leash park
• Avoid repetitive high-impact running until Your Dog is fully grown
• Scent games and hide-and-seek are great for burning mental energy

🥩Nutrition

• Switch Your Dog to a quality adult maintenance formula at this stage
• 2 meals per day keeps blood sugar stable and digestion healthy for Your Dog
• Measure portions carefully — Australian Shepherds can be prone to gradual weight gain
• Consider a breed-appropriate formula if available for your Australian Shepherd

💉Health

• Book Your Dog's annual vet check — many issues are easier to treat when caught early
• Maintain monthly heartworm, flea, and tick prevention year-round
• Start a dental hygiene routine — brushing or dental chews 3–4 times a week
• Discuss hip and joint screening with your vet if Your Dog is a large or active breed

🎓Training

• Your Dog is at peak learning capacity — this is a great time for advanced training
• Try canine sports like agility, obedience trials, or nose work
• Keep training sessions engaging with variety — Your Dog will disengage from repetitive drills
• Consider a CGC (Canine Good Citizen) assessment for a fun milestone

🎾Exercise

• Your Dog is at peak energy — most Australian Shepherds need 1–1.5 hours of exercise daily
• Mix walks, off-leash play, and mental stimulation for a well-rounded routine
• Avoid exercising in midday heat during Australian summers — early morning or evening is best
• Swimming is excellent low-impact exercise and great for hot weather

🥩Nutrition

• Focus on maintaining Your Dog's ideal body weight through portion control
• Assess body condition every 2–3 months — you should feel ribs but not see them
• Avoid unnecessary treats — stick to low-calorie options for training rewards
• Consider a joint-support formula if Your Dog is a large or very active breed

💉Health

• Annual vet checks remain important — ask about a full wellness blood panel for Your Dog
• Dental scaling under anaesthetic may be recommended every 2–3 years
• Monitor Your Dog's weight closely — middle-aged spread is common in adult dogs
• Keep parasite prevention consistent year-round across all Australian climates

🎓Training

• Mental stimulation is crucial at this stage to prevent boredom behaviours in Your Dog
• Try new tricks, scent work, or agility courses to keep Your Dog engaged
• Practice recall and off-leash manners regularly — don't let skills fade
• Canine enrichment activities like sniff walks and scatter feeding boost wellbeing

🎾Exercise

• Maintain a consistent routine — Your Dog thrives on predictable daily walks
• 45–90 minutes daily depending on your Australian Shepherd's energy level
• Watch for subtle signs of fatigue or stiffness that may indicate joint issues
• Vary routes and environments to keep Your Dog's walks mentally stimulating

🥩Nutrition

• Transition Your Dog to a senior formula — lower in calories and easier to digest
• Senior diets often include added joint support like glucosamine and omega-3s
• Smaller, more frequent meals may suit Your Dog better as digestion slows
• Monitor Your Dog's appetite closely — changes can be an early sign of health issues

💉Health

• Move Your Dog to 6-monthly vet visits — health issues progress quickly in senior dogs
• Request a senior wellness blood panel annually to check organ function
• Watch for signs of arthritis — stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump, or a changed gait
• Dental care becomes even more critical to prevent heart and kidney disease

🎓Training

• Gentle mental stimulation keeps Your Dog's mind sharp — try easy nose work games
• Keep training sessions short and low-energy — 5–10 minutes is plenty
• Be patient if Your Dog seems to forget commands — cognitive changes are normal
• Interactive food puzzles appropriate for senior speed work wonderfully for enrichment

🎾Exercise

• Shorter, gentler walks 2–3 times daily suit most senior dogs better than one long walk
• Swimming is ideal for Your Dog at this age — low-impact and very joint-friendly
• Watch the pavement temperature — Your Dog's paws are more sensitive to hot Australian footpaths
• Let Your Dog set the pace — some days they'll want more, some days less