Australian Shepherd Puppy Checklist

Before Puppy Comes Home

What do you need before bringing home an Australian Shepherd puppy?

Last updated October 8, 2026

Australian Shepherds are brilliant, high-energy puppies that need structure, activity, and mental engagement from the start. The most important action before your puppy comes home: order an MDR1/ABCB1 DNA test kit. The test identifies whether your Aussie carries the drug-sensitivity mutation that makes common medications toxic at standard doses. You need this information before your vet prescribes anything.

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MDR1 Test: Do This First

Order a mail-in MDR1 test from Washington State University Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab (WSU) or another provider before or on the day your puppy comes home. It's a simple cheek swab. Results take 1–2 weeks. Share results with every vet who treats your dog. This $80–$150 test is potentially life-saving.

Essential Gear Checklist

• Medium crate (30–36 inch) with divider
• Dog bed or crate mat
• Stainless steel food and water bowls
• Flat collar + ID tag (engrave on day of arrival)
  One option: GoTags Personalized Stainless Steel ID Tag on Amazon. An engraved stainless steel ID tag; you pick the shape and the lines of text at checkout. Put a phone number that's actually answered on it, and update the engraving if you move.
• 4–6 ft leash
• 20–30 ft long line for recall training (critical for a breed with strong working drive)
• Undercoat rake — the primary grooming tool for this breed
  One option: Maxpower Planet Undercoat Rake on Amazon. A dual-sided rake: the 9-tooth side works through tangles and the 17-tooth side thins out loose undercoat in dense double coats. Work in the direction of hair growth and ease off over bony areas.
• Slicker brush
  One option: Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush on Amazon. The Big G has long, angled pins set in a flexible cushioned pad, built for working through double, long and curly coats. Use light strokes; slicker pins can scratch skin if pressed hard.
• Wide-tooth steel comb
• Dog toothbrush + toothpaste
  One option: Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, Poultry (2.5 oz) on Amazon. A poultry-flavored enzymatic toothpaste made without foaming agents, so it's meant to be swallowed rather than rinsed. Use it with a soft-bristled or finger toothbrush.
• Enzymatic cleaner
  One option: Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover (32 oz) on Amazon. An enzymatic stain and odor cleaner that keeps breaking down urine and other organic messes after you apply it. Spot-test on carpet or upholstery first.
• High-value training treats
  One option: Blue Buffalo Bits Soft Training Treats, Beef (19 oz) on Amazon. Soft, bite-size training treats with real beef as the first ingredient, small enough for rapid repetitions. Keep treats to about 10% of daily calories.
• Variety of durable toys — Aussie puppies are mouthy and energetic
• Puzzle feeders and enrichment toys — mental stimulation is non-negotiable

First Week Setup

What should the first week with an Australian Shepherd puppy look like?

First Vet Visit (Within 48–72 Hours)

• Full physical exam
• Bring MDR1 test results if already available; if not, inform the vet that MDR1 testing is pending and no MDR1-sensitive drugs should be prescribed until results are known
• Vaccine schedule verification and continuation
• Eye exam recommended — CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) can be detected in puppies
• Hip baseline discussion for a medium-active breed at mild hip dysplasia risk
• Parasite prevention — discuss MDR1-safe heartworm prevention options with your vet (several are safe regardless of MDR1 status)
• Microchip if not done by breeder

MDR1 Drugs to Avoid or Use Cautiously

Until you have confirmed MDR1 results, discuss these medications with your vet before use:

• Ivermectin (common in many heartworm preventives and livestock wormers)
• Milbemycin oxime (in some heartworm preventives at higher doses)
• Acepromazine (sedative used in anesthesia)
• Loperamide (Imodium — anti-diarrhea medication)
• Several chemotherapy agents

Note: Many commonly used heartworm preventives (Heartgard, Interceptor) are safe at standard preventive doses even in MDR1-affected dogs. Your vet can confirm safe options.

Grooming From Day One

The double coat hasn't developed yet, but start handling and brushing routines immediately. Touch all areas of the body, handle paws and ears, run the brush through the coat. Aussies that accept full grooming calmly as adults are those that were handled consistently as puppies.

Training & Mental Stimulation

Training an Australian Shepherd: Commit to the Work

Australian Shepherds are working dogs. They were bred to make decisions, solve problems, and work intensively alongside humans. As pets, this intelligence is an asset — they train faster than almost any other breed. It's also a challenge: a bored, under-stimulated Aussie will find its own work to do, and that work usually involves herding children, rearranging furniture, or escaping the yard.

Year One Training Priorities

1. Puppy class immediately (8–12 weeks): Aussies have a socialization window too — expose them to different people, dogs, environments, and sounds during 8–16 weeks.
2. Herding instinct management: Aussies may nip at moving children or try to herd family members. Interrupt and redirect immediately with a 'leave it' cue. This behavior responds well to training but needs to be addressed early and consistently.
3. Recall: A solid 'come' command on a long line before any off-leash time. Aussies can have high prey drive and high working drive — they'll chase things. Reliable recall is a safety skill.
4. Mental stimulation daily: Training sessions, puzzle feeders, scent games. A 20-minute training session may exhaust an Aussie more effectively than an hour's walk.
5. Canine sport: Seriously consider agility, herding trials, obedience sport, or frisbee. Aussies that have a job are dramatically calmer and happier dogs.

Merle Coat Notes

If your puppy is merle-coated: do not breed it to another merle. Double merle puppies (merle × merle) have a high risk of being blind, deaf, or both. This is strictly a breeding consideration, not a health issue for your individual dog.