Trainability

The Australian Silky is a wonderful dog to train as they thrive on the loving attention of their owners. However, they are a true terrier at heart and this streak of intelligence will require consistent training and focus to keep them out of trouble. Like all dog breeds they will respond well to gentle, reward-based training sessions. Keep your training fun and upbeat and always stop when you can see your dog starting to tire or get bored. Early socialisation is a must so consider as many sights, sounds and experiences as possible at puppy stage. Many Silky owners will advise utilising the crate training method to help with toilet training. Enrolling in a puppy-preschool class is advisable to help with basic training and socialisation. Consistency is key with this little dog or you may find them happily running rings around those they love and making up the rules as they go.

Grooming

Despite first glances the Silky is not that hard to groom and will only require a good brush every two days to remove tangles from their long flowing parted coats. The breed may also occasional require a trim. Many owners opt to shave their Silky to prevent matting and also help with cooling in the summertime. This will require the assistance of a grooming professional. It is important to have your precious pup desensitized to grooming from a young age to help prevent any problems. Nail clipping is also advisable from a young age. If you are unsure how to correctly clip your pet’s nails, ask for help from your local veterinarian or vet nurse. Like with all dogs ‘vet proofing’ your pup at a young age is highly beneficial. This includes consistently touching their paws, face and around the mouth.

Exercise Requirements

Don’t be fooled by his small size, this little fella loves a good run and daily walk. A brisk on-leash walk will set him up well for the day ahead, while a decent run in an off-leash area (one specially designed for little dogs) will be a great way to end the day. It’s important to understand that your little bundle of hair will not be afraid of larger boisterous dogs, therefore only allowing them to run off-leash with similar sized dogs is important. On-lead training is important to ensure your wee-dog can walk happily besides you. If it’s raining your Silky will be more than happy with an inside game of fetch or hide and seek.

Intelligence

Being a terrier the Silky is a very intelligent dog. In saying this, if they are left alone for too long or fall into the boredom trap, they will become destructive. Consider boredom busting ideas like rotating toys and always ensure your pup is correctly exercised before you leave them alone. For young Silky’s a five-minute training session before you leave for work can help flex their muscles and their brains. However, like with all dogs, spending endless hours alone will only lead to problems. This little dog does not take well to being left on their own, so if you do have a demanding job and cannot be home a lot of the time, it might be best to consider another breed.

Family Friendly

The Australian Silky Terrier makes a wonderful family companion however due to their small size it is advisable to only allow older children to interact with them to prevent injury. In certain households with good supervision a Silky will be happy with children of all ages. Always teach your children how to correctly behave around a dog and train your dog how to correctly interact with a child. For very small children, sitting cuddles only is always recommended when handling small dogs. Like with all terriers, this breed loves to chase small prey so do not be surprised if they occasional take-off after the family cat, even if they have been raised with them. Depending on your level of socialisation (as a young pup) and who your Silky grows up around, will determine who they will tolerate and who they will not.

Indoor/outdoor

The Australian Silky Terrier is most certainly and inside companion dog who makes a great apartment dog. They are a wonderful little watchdog and if living inside an apartment this needs to be trained to ensure they do not upset your close neighbours. If you decide to put your Silky outside during the day, ensure you have strong secure fences to prevent your pup from escaping and, like with all dog breeds, provide ample weather protection and water.

Breeding

It is very important to only source your new family member from a reputable breeding establishment, to ensure your puppy is healthy. Ask all the important questions about hereditary problems and ask to see mum and dad. Contact your local breed club and research your chosen breeder. Your breeder should have proof that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and to ensure that the dogs they are breeding from have sound temperaments. It may take a little more time than a quick purchase, but it can save you and your family from unimaginable heartache and pain dealing with a sick puppy.