04/24/2025
There’s a trend on social media where people try to make owning a herding breed seem out of reach. The message is subtle but clear: if you’re not hiking off leash through acres of woods every day or turning every meal into an elaborate enrichment experience, you’re doing it wrong. That mindset is not only harmful, it’s just not true.
Yes, Aussies need fulfillment. They thrive with mental engagement, physical outlets, structure, and time with their people. But that can take many different forms. My dogs haven’t gone off leash hiking in years because the tick population where I live is out of control and they are still living incredibly full, happy lives.
Not everyone has access to private land. Most public land requires leashes. Many people have full time jobs, families, limitations, and responsibilities. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t own an Aussie. It doesn’t mean they can’t meet their dog’s needs. It just means their version of fulfillment looks different than someone else’s. And that’s okay.
You can work your dog however works for you. You can build a relationship and provide an enriching, satisfying life without checking every box a social media influencer says you need to. There is no perfect mold.
Let’s raise the standard of care through support and education, not shame. Let’s celebrate different ways to meet a dog’s needs, not gatekeep the breed behind curated clips and unrealistic expectations.
Because good ownership isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about relationship.