I think as long as she has a good sized yard she will be fine. We have an Aussie and she has a bunch of stuffed animals that she plays with every night and she has some toys outside that she loves. She tosses them in the air and runs like crazy...If you love her and want to keep her then I would say don't worry about it...just let her outside to play. Our Molly loves her sock toy. I take one of my husbands socks...doesn't matter what kind but I usually do a crew or one of his old knee high black socks from his working days...take a water bottle and put a few rocks in it so that it rattles and then stuff it in the sock and tie a knot in the end of the sock ...Molly has a toy box full of stuffed animals and even a big bear that is her sleeping companion but of all of them, her sock toy is the one she plays with the most.

I think some leash training would be good and with your yard and dog park time, I agree the dog is fine. Try setting up challenges in the yard like walking across a plank or jumping over something. Spend time teaching the dog tricks to work her mind as well as her body. You have a smart dog and it sounds like you are giving her a lot of love which is awesome. Labs and Goldens can also be high maintenance while young. Give the Aussie a chance.

That's cute about Molly having a bear to sleep with. Spencer has a monkey. :)

I should tell you, we have had this dog a year. Lacy is 2 years old. She is very loving but stubborn to say the least. If we ever get another dog, it will not be a puppy. I don't want anything to do with potty training and teething. We have always had Labs or spaniels (?sp?).

I agree that Labs can be just as active when young. I had two 6wk olders at the same time. I'm still tired from them, and that was a LONG time ago.

Exercise is important. When I was walking my little quiet Chihauhau twice a day, she was very calm. Lately it's been so cold out, and I've been trying to get her to "go" out back. Without the walking, she is running around the house like a wild woman!! I can really tell the difference. I had a Bijon that I never walked at first. He was the same way until I started walking him - or running and playing with him out back.

Sounds too like some leash training and boundaries are in order as 'spencersmom' said. Maybe working with a trainer might help - even just for basics because it can get to be expensive. They are beautiful dogs and it would be sad to let him go if you really love him, especially if he can be happy after a few adjustments.

Good luck!

gneegirl

They are dogs that need lots of room, they are meant to be working dogs not lay around dogs.

People need to research before getting a certain breed, find out if they are the right one for you to have.

Over and over again, people are buying active breed dogs and wonder why they have problems.

Also dogs need to be taken out to parks, fields, whatever is around your area to go too and leash walk them. Meet people, dogs, cars, bikes, kids, they neeed that socializing lots too.

I just read about one on adoption and it was chained for its first 5 years of life. Its now on this foster family's acreage, huge amout of land its got and buddies that are there and they have had to socialize it, it didn't know what an inside of house was or bikes, cars, kids, nothing at all.

Yes, find it a really good home with lots of land and buddy to play with and be with and get worn out and what its meant to live and do in life.

"Labs can be just as active when young." hahaha or when they are THIRTEEN! lol

It is not just the dog- it is how the dog is taken care of that makes the outcome a good/bad experience.
If the dog just has a backyard, goes to a park often- that isn't fair to the dog! Dogs need to have their minds exercised also! Learning to walk like a civilized dog would be a good start. If you are unable to teach the dog this yourself then go to an obedience class/trainer.
Great Danes are huge dogs- but they are suited well t apartment/condo/city living IF they are regularly exercised, have a active social life(yes- a dog needs a social life, too)- have an outlet to learn and have physical activity.
Letting a dog 'run' on acres of land without interaction/training by the owner is just as bad as having a dog in the city and not doing anything with it. How many, many dogs do I see dead on the side of the road- then hear the owner say something like' I didn't want him to be in a place where there was a fence'. That owner didn't want any responsibility- just wanted to 'forget' the dog, essentially- not have to 'do' anything. Or out here, where it is still legal to shoot a dog that is loose in the country- the dogs aggravate sheep or cattle- the farmer's income- then the owner just can't understand why the farmer shot his dog...BECAUSE when the dog runs/bites/kills the farmers sheep/cattle, the farmer loses money, that's why!
The bigger question is- how much do you or your daughter want to spend active time with the dog? An Aussie will be happy in an Agility class- that is a place where this dog excels! All dogs take alot of time- if you want a well behaved canine citizen! They aren't any different than a human kid.
Yep- you hit a sore spot with me- people who want an animal then don't want to take proper care.....

Hello Judie,

Aussies are high-energy dogs because they are a working breed. We also had one from a puppy, & I think they take quite a while to calm down. Ours was difficult on the leash also; however, we switched to a reel leash where she could be out front & she was much better. I later found out that some Aussies are leaders & some are herders. The leaders feel they HAVE to be in front.

Aussies are very people-oriented; they love their owner(s) & are very loyal to them. Ours was the best dog we've ever had.

I don't think Lacy needs to be on a farm. But she does need reinforcement on training & of course, lots of exercise.

Goldens calm down about the time they get old too breathe and oh the hair! I clean a house with 2.
If you do let go of this dog - get something bred for a lap dog or companion dog. Hunting (and that includes a lot of terriers), working breeds are active animals. I had a springer that did not settle down until he was deathly ill. It was the first time I could sit with him and pet him.
I have seen farms where I would not want my dog to be so the answer to your question depends on what you think is best for the dog. Sounds like you already have decided.