Australian Shepherd Enrichment: Games and Activities
The AKC rates the Australian Shepherd 5/5 for mental stimulation needs, so puzzles, scent games and short training sessions are worth building into every week, not just walks.
It scores 5/5 for energy, so active games like tug, hide and seek and sniff walks help burn it off.
With a playfulness score of 4/5, games with you tend to go down well.
Activities to try with your Australian Shepherd
Living-room obstacle course
A mini agility course from things you already have: chairs to weave round, a box to go through, books to step over.
Hide and seek with you
Your dog waits in one room while you hide, then finds you when you call. No food or equipment needed.
Tug with rules
Short rounds of tug that end on a "drop it", so your dog gets a burst of play and a lesson in self-control at the same time.
Three-cup shell game
A treat under one of several cups. Your dog learns to point out the right cup with nose or paw, then you start shuffling them.
Toy in a towel
Your dog's toy wrapped in a towel or blanket, so they have to sniff it out and use their nose and paws to unwrap it.
Digging pit with buried toys
A kiddie pool or sandbox of clean sand where digging is allowed, with toys buried for your dog to find.
Build a 7-day plan from what you have →
Is a Australian Shepherd right for you? · Australian Shepherd breed guide