The Instinctive Australian Shepherd

A show dedicated to the preservation of the Australian Shepherd and the education and entertainment of Aussie fanciers. This podcast celebrates the working Australian Shepherd. Learn about the heritage of the breed and enjoy the many things these dogs can do!

Australian Shepherds Across the Pond- High level working dogs with Kat Farrants 04/03/2025

Australian Shepherds Across the Pond- High level working dogs with Kat Farrants In this episode I am talking with Kat Farrants from the UK about her successes with her Australian Shepherds in high levels of competition. We spend our time talking about dog sports and mindset and all things Aussie competition. It's a great conversation and I am sure you will enjoy more stories about the working Australian Shepherd. Kat Farrants has owned Aussies for 25 years, and bred for 20 years. She started in obedience with Shanti, her homebred Aussie, at pre-beginners, and in just 4 years, we were working Championship Class, and were the highest placed female Aussie in the crufts Obedience Championships. Her journey with Shanti was meteoritic. She quickly made Shanti’s daughter, Gracie the third female Aussie Obedience Champion in history. Gracie is the only living Aussie Obedience Champion, and the only Aussie working Championship Class. For context, Kat has now competed at the Crufts Obedience Championships Five times, and in four of those times, she was the ONLY competitor of females to not have collies. This year, Gracie’s been sick, so isn’t at the Crufts Obedience Championships, and there are NO DOGS OTHER THAN COLLIES competing! UK obedience is a super tough tough sport, and champions are very few and far between. It’s been amazing to have the first homebred female Aussie Champions and first Mother and Daughter champions. Gracie now competes in IGP (Schutzhund) and is the only Aussie to qualify IGP3 in the UK in history, and she has competed at National level in IGP. We are working towards the qualifiers for the world championships, where she is competing against Malis and GSD’s and is aiming to be the first Aussie worldwide to compete at the IGP World Championships. Kat occasionally breeds, under the Solarwind affix, and she runs the Mindset for Dog Sports Membership, she is known as the Dog Sports Coach. The secret to Kat’s success? Is it’s all in the mind (and with Aussies this is the most important thing of all!) Find Kat's videos and websites below: Connect with Jacqueline Tinker: Lessons, trained dogs, occasional puppies, clinics, and trials Phone number: 817-948-8825 /episode/index/show/instinctiveautralianshepherd/id/35988505

True Versatility - Working Ranch dogs - Winning Trial dogs with Tom Collins 02/20/2025

The Working Aussie Source Big Announcement 01/03/2025

Upping our Herding Game- Raising Expectations with Erin Eckert Part 1 01/10/2024

Bulls, Broncs and Dogs- The Bulls Behind the Pro Riders and the Aussies that Care for Them 07/21/2023

Bulls, Broncs and Dogs- The Bulls Behind the Pro Riders and the Aussies that Care for Them In this podcast episode, host Jacque Tinker interviews Jan Wyatt-Owens, who is involved with Australian Shepherds and raises bulls for rodeos. They discuss Jan's involvement with Australian Shepherds, her experiences with training and trialing her dogs, and the intelligence and versatility of the breed. Jan also talks about her experiences raising bulls for rodeos, the process of raising and training them, and the dangers and challenges involved. They touch on the development of the Hanging Tree breed and the rodeo industry as a whole. Jan also mentions her excitement about getting a new puppy and the importance of giving dogs a good life. The beginning of the podcast [00:00:08] Introduction to the podcast and the goal of preserving the working Australian Shepherd breed. Jan's introduction and involvement with Australian Shepherds [00:01:34] Jan talks about how she got into the breed and her experiences with Australian Shepherds as working dogs. Jan's experiences with show dogs [00:04:32] Jan discusses her journey into the confirmation ring and her experiences with show dogs, including her champion show dog and the versatility of Australian Shepherds. The intelligence and reasoning abilities of Australian Shepherds [00:10:17] Discussion about how Australian Shepherds are intelligent and can reason, and how they can quickly learn from experiences. Raising rodeo bulls and the dangers involved [00:11:54] Conversation about the risks and dangers of raising rodeo bulls, including personal experiences with bulls causing harm. Competition and money in the rodeo bull industry [00:14:29] Explanation of the registration and competition process for rodeo bulls, including the importance of identification tags and the various events and prize money available. The challenges of raising rank bulls [00:20:53] Jan Owens discusses the difficulties of raising rank bulls and the shift towards rider-friendly bulls in the PBR. Training and handling rank bulls [00:23:46] Jan Owens talks about the importance of training and handling rank bulls, including the need for them to have good manners and be able to handle well. The use of flank ropes in bull riding [00:28:43] Jan Owens explains the purpose and technique behind using flank ropes in bull riding, emphasizing the importance of allowing the bull to kick freely. The Bulls' Athleticism [00:30:14] Discussion about the athleticism and care of bulls used in rodeos. Exposing Bulls to Dogs [00:33:35] The importance of exposing bulls to dogs from a young age and the role of dogs in handling the bulls. Impressive Working Dogs [00:37:15] Praising the skills and abilities of working dogs, specifically mentioning a dog named Dude and his impressive performance. The intelligence and versatility of Australian Shepherds [00:40:07] Jan Owens discusses how certain dogs, like Black Bear and Dude, took working dogs to the next level in terms of their intelligence and savvy. The confusion between Hanging Tree dogs and Australian Shepherds [00:41:02] Jacque Tinker explains the confusion that can arise when discussing Hanging Tree dogs, which were bred by crossing Australian Shepherds with other breeds, and Australian Shepherds themselves. The characteristics and variety of Hanging Tree dogs [00:42:01] Jackie Tinker and Jan Owens discuss how Hanging Tree dogs do not breed true and have a wide variety of appearances and working styles, making them not yet a true breed. The Rodeo Partnership [00:50:05] Jan Owens discusses the partnership opportunities in rodeo, similar to racehorse ownership, where people can co-own bulls and watch them compete. Owning Bulls and Broncs [00:50:42] Jan Owens explains how individuals can get involved in rodeo by owning or co-owning bulls, broncs, or heifers. Touring the Ranch [00:51:54] Jacque Tinker plans a field trip to Jan Owens' ranch to explore the rough country, see the bucking horses, and learn more about rodeo. /episode/index/show/instinctiveautralianshepherd/id/27529020

A Look Back at Hangin' Tree Dude and Modern Day Trialing 05/22/2023

A Look Back at Hangin' Tree Dude and Modern Day Trialing Pull your toes in or put your steel toed boots on! We are getting real in this episode and some topics may be uncomfortable. In this particular episode of the Instinctive Australian Shepherd Podcast, the host, Jacque Tinker, engages in an insightful conversation with Jodi Tietjen, a guest who has extensive experience in working with dogs, particularly Australian Shepherds and Border Collies. Jodi shares her knowledge and expertise on training and breeding these dogs, highlighting the significance of preserving good lines in the breed. She explains how breeding practices can impact the health and temperament of the dogs, and how responsible breeding can help maintain the breed's integrity. Moreover, the discussion sheds light on the importance of supporting and encouraging each other in the dog trialing and training community. Jodi shares her experiences of being a part of this community and how it has helped her grow as a handler and breeder. She emphasizes the significance of having a positive mindset and seeking out opportunities to learn and improve. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of working dogs and the responsible breeding practices that are essential for maintaining the health and well-being of these animals. It also highlights the importance of community support and continuous learning in the pursuit of excellence in dog training and handling. Time Stamps: Jodi's first Australian Shepherd, Hangin' Tree Dude [00:02:29] Jodi talks about her first Australian Shepherd, Hangin' Tree Dude, and how he changed her life. She also discusses his strengths and weaknesses. Breeding and preserving good lines in the Australian Shepherd breed [00:06:15] Jodi and Jacque discuss the importance of breeding and preserving good lines in the Australian Shepherd breed, specifically mentioning the impact of Hangin' Tree Dude on the breed. Importance of Breeding Good Lines [00:07:38] Discussion on the influence of a male dog named Hangin' Tree Dude in working pedigrees and the importance of reproducing good dogs with good foundations. Risk and Benefits of Line Breeding [00:09:21] The benefits and risks of line breeding, specifically breeding individuals that are tightly lined bred, and the importance of well-thought-out line breeding to get consistent traits. Challenges of Finding Good Dogs to Breed To [00:12:01] The challenges of finding good dogs to breed to in the past, before the internet, and the difficulty of finding the exact cross that matches even with modern technology. The importance of line breeding to achieve consistency in working dogs. Breeding and preserving good lines [00:14:09] Jodi talks about the importance of lime breeding in working dogs, specifically Australian Shepherds and Border Collies. Culling and rehoming dogs [00:15:08] The conversation shifts to the topic of culling dogs that don't meet the necessary traits for working dogs, and how the process has changed over time to focus on rehoming instead. Dude, the heroic Australian Shepherd [00:17:21] Jodi shares a story about her first Australian Shepherd, Dude, who saved a pony from a dangerous stud horse and showed incredible loyalty and bravery. Training a Solid Minded Dog [00:20:20] Jodi talks about her experience training her Australian Shepherd, Hangin' Tree Dude, and how he was able to run a sheepdog course with her. The Importance of Breeding and Preserving Good Lines [00:23:16] Jodi discusses the importance of breeding and preserving good lines in the Australian Shepherd breed and how she left the breed due to the lack of growth and wanting to keep things dumbed down. Pushing the Boundaries of Working Dogs [00:25:04] Jacque and Jodi talk about the importance of pushing the boundaries of working dogs and how some breeders and trainers are still playing small with the breed. They also discuss the beauty of the things that working dogs do when the camera is not there. Encouragement and Joy [00:27:14] The speakers discuss the importance of encouraging and supporting each other in the dog training community, rather than tearing each other down. Self-Examination and Growth [00:30:10] The speakers reflect on the need for self-examination and growth in the dog training community, and the irony of working with innocent animals while acting unkindly towards each other. Understanding Stock [00:31:53] The speakers emphasize the importance of understanding stock and stockmanship in dog training, and suggest ways to improve this understanding even without access to livestock. Importance of keeping stock that keeps dogs thinking [00:33:13] Discussion on how stock that just follows the person ruins dogs and the importance of keeping stock that keeps dogs thinking. Challenges of working outside of arena walls [00:36:28] The importance of taking dogs and stock outside of arena walls to see if they are really covering or just following. Involvement in sheepdog competitions [00:37:36] Jodi involvement in sheepdog competitions, including her experience with training and selling border collies for trialing, and her current focus on field work. Transitioning to a New Type of Trial [00:45:07] The challenges of transitioning to a new type of working dog trial and having to go back to being a beginner. Competing Against Yourself [00:49:15] The speakers talk about the importance of focusing on your own game and mindset when competing, rather than comparing yourself to others. Dealing with Jealousy in Competition [00:50:32] The speakers discuss the issue of jealousy in competition, particularly when one person is winning too much and others start to resent them. The importance of growth mindset [00:52:15] Jodi and Jackie discuss the importance of having a growth mindset and being open to constructive criticism in order to improve. Private training sessions [00:55:21] Jodi talks about how she prefers to invite people to her facility for private training sessions rather than doing clinics. Efficiency of private training [00:56:09] Jacque and Jodi discuss the benefits of private training sessions over clinics, including more one-on-one time and better results. The Instinctive Australian Shepherd Podcast /episode/index/show/instinctiveautralianshepherd/id/26907741

Just what the Doctor Ordered- Australian Shepherd Therapy Dogs 02/02/2023

Am I exercising my Aussie enough? Common Myth Busted! 12/13/2022

Joe Sheeran and Woody the 2019 Farm Bureau Dog of the Year 06/19/2022

Joe Sheeran and Woody the 2019 Farm Bureau Dog of the Year Today Jacque speaks with Joe Sheeran about Aussies. This is a very interesting conversation about Joe’s dog Woody the American Farm Bureau Federation's 2019 Farm Dog of the Year (the first Farm Dog of the year!). Joe has a fascinating story about how he came to work with Austrailian Shepherds. When Joe was looking for a dog, he met Rodger Stevens, owner of Pincie Creek Australian Shepherds. This is who he adopted Woody from. After that, Joe met Shelly Spotswood. She really introduced him to training his dogs for stock work. That led to trialing. The way that Joe acquired Woody was very interesting. Woody was originally given to another owner, but after the owner gave him up, Joe stepped up and welcomed him into his life. One day when Joe was herding, his cow attacked him, only to be saved by Woody. He was injured, but Woody saved his life. Jacque and Joe also talk a lot about training their dogs to work with sheep, especially the stubborn ones. Dogs make mistakes, but as you spend more time with them, they learn and get used to different types of animals. No matter how much instinct they have, the Austrailian Shepherds still have to have an understanding of their duties. Joe says dogs really have everything they need to know inside of them, it's just like training a person you work with. He is a big proponent of allowing dogs to figure out things for themselves. This allows the dog to use their mind, make their own decisions, and be more proactive of the needs of their tasks. It may not go well the first couple of times, but once they learn more and do not need to be told what to do, it can save the situation. What separates Aussies from other dogs is the way they think. This episode really shares that what they can learn is unlimited. Link to Woody’s Farm Dog of the Year video Connect with Jacqueline Tinker: Lessons, trained dogs, occasional puppies, clinics, and trials Phone number: 817-948-8825 /episode/index/show/instinctiveautralianshepherd/id/23476397