The Instinctive Australian Shepherd

In this update episode,  Jacque Tinker shares major news from the working Australian Shepherd world—plus several big announcements you won't want to miss. The episode spotlights the Working Aussie Source (workingaussiesource.com) , a vetted directory built to protect and promote true working-bred Australian Shepherds for the people who genuinely need them: ranchers, farmers, grazers, and serious s...

What if your Australian Shepherd's biggest superpower isn't speed or herding instinct… but their nose? In this episode of The Instinctive Australian Shepherd, host Jacque Tinker sits down with Kallie Bongtrager, a Nursery Inspector and Compliance Officer with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources—and a handler who takes her working Aussies into the field to help detect one of the most disrup...

What does a real working Australian Shepherd look like in 2025?   In this episode of The Instinctive Australian Shepherd , Jacque Tinker sits down with Shawn Raff , a Georgia cattleman running roughly 4,000 head across large blocks of ground—and relying daily on one exceptional Aussie: Rooster . Rooster isn't a "weekend ranch dog." He's the kind of partner most people only hear about: moving 700–8...

Join host Jacqueline Tinker on a unique journey into the world of horse and dog trail activities. In this special episode, Jacqueline interviews two passionate enthusiasts: Danielle Beumkes from the Netherlands and Kimberly Watson from Texas. Discover how this exciting sport combines the agility of dogs with the grace of horses, creating a dynamic and fun experience for both animals and their hand...

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 y...

Yes, Virginia, a Working Ranch Dog can Trial! Join us for this fascinating discussion about working ranch dogs and trialing dogs with Tom Collins from Fruitville, Idaho. Tom and I discuss the value of a working ranch dog and the fun of the game of trialing.  This conversation morphed out of a spirited discussion in the Working Aussie Facebook group. Tom and I share the opinion that a dog can work...

Ok. The Big Announcement I have been teasing is here! It turns out there are 4 announcements. BIG CHANGES coming for the Working Aussie Source....   Please share with your friends. This is very pertinent if you are trialing in January! Get in on this soon....   The season runs from January 1- December 31, 2025   Special props to  Trudy VanDine Viklund   Bruce Nelson   Kristie Franks   Fernand Ghen...

This is part 1 of an excellent interview with Erin Eckert.  In this podcast episode, Jacque Tinker and Erin Eckhart delve into the intricacies of training and trialing Australian cattle dogs and Australian shepherds. They discuss the challenges of working with livestock, the importance of understanding dog behavior, and the impact of genetics on performance. They emphasize the need for resilience,...

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 train...

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...

In this episode, Jacque speaks with Brad Hawkings, an Australian Shepherd breeder and trainer in Pembroke, Kentucky. About 5 years ago, Brad learned about a therapy dog workshop in his area. At that time thought that his dog, Bannock, would be perfect to enroll. Bannock not only passed with flying colors, but he was then allowed to go into any situation therapy dogs are allowed, schools, hospitals...

When owning an Australian Shepherd, or thinking of getting one, so many questions arise. In this episode, Jacque becomes an Aussie Whisperer and answers some of the most commonly asked questions about the truth behind owning and training an Australian Shepherd. Questions in this episode: What can I do to exercise my dog enough mentally and physically during the day? How much exercise does my dog a...

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 i...

In this episode, Jacque speaks with Randy Kidd, owner of Kidd's Australian Shepherd, about the history of Australian Shepherd, and what defines a working dog. They also discuss Australian Shepherd genetics and how it is so important when choosing a dog.  Randy Kidd grew up around working dogs. As he got older and started working in livestock, he decided it was time to get his own dogs. In 1979, Ra...

This is a very interesting episode about training with chain behavior and how explosion detection dogs! Jacque speaks with Élise Saint-Pierre, the owner of Dig It Dogs Canine Services and an explosive detection canine handler.  She started with training when she was in high school with her terrier mix. After she graduated high school, she went to British Columbia for 6 months to learn more about d...

In this episode, Jacque speaks with Aaron Steele, founder of Goats On The Go and host of the Farm Dog podcast.   This is a very interesting conversation about finding a working dog that works for you. When you are looking for a working cattle dog, it is very important to understand the dog's genetics. Building a relationship with an outside breeder is important, especially if you want to know the...

Title: Clinic Hopping with Kathi Schwengel In this episode, I chat with Kathi Schwengel, an author and Australian Shepherd enthusiast. There are so many similarities between our lives, this conversation is like speaking with an old friend.  We talk about how having Australian Shepherds is like having a Ferrari without breaks. These dogs are amazing, they have such inner knowing, but you need to pu...

This story is a nail biter. Trudy and her family escape the 2020 Wilhoit fire Oregon fire. She shares her story day by day and talks about how her Aussie, Jill rounded up the sheep and ducks.  Trudy talks about how the fire brought out the best and worst in people. She shares lessons learned and how she now prepares for potential disasters in the future. Thanks Trudy for sharing this amazing story...

Meet Sonja Galley, owner of Bindi, 2021 Farm Bureau Dog of the Year. Bindi saved Sonja's life on her family dairy when a rogue heifer charged Sonja and had her on the ground.   Bindi is Sonya's right hand on the dairy farm. This is not only a great story, which will leave you with a lump in your throat or tears in your eyes, it is a nice look into the life of an American farmer and her dog. Make s...

This episode celebrates the resilience and intelligence of the Australian Shepherd. Jade is a young Aussie that is lost in Yellowstone following a serious accident.  Today I am interviewing Jade and her owners David Sowers and Laura Gillise as well as the author of the book, Bring Jade Home, Michelle Caffrey. The book is published by FarCountry Press.  This episode can be found on youtube at: http...

Today we are talking about those naughty Aussie puppies and dogs! My guest, expert dog behaviorist and trainer, Sarah Dixon and I offer solutions to puppy behaviors and adult Aussie behaviors.   This is part 2 of our awesome conversation about puppy training and adult dog training. Topics of this conversation: -Crate training puppies (dos and don'ts) -Overprotective Aussie behavior -Relationship b...

Today we are talking about those naughty Aussie puppies! My guest, expert dog behaviorist and trainer, Sarah Dixon and I offer solutions to puppy behaviors.  We discuss nipping/biting, chewing, jumping, reactivity and fear of loud noises! This is part 1 of of 2 of a great discussion. You can tell we are both extremely passionate about this topic and hope that you can learn something that helps you...

You thought the first episode was good? Part 2 of Around the Campfire with Larry and Glenda Teaff is even better! These two are such amazing story tellers. Re-join the conversation and learn about dog training and great dogs. Larry talks about how to judge power on a dog and what a dog has to do to be strong on cattle. Learn how to start dogs on cattle with a mature dog. Those of you who run under...

Join me in a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Larry and Glenda Teaff. This episode reminds me of the post-trial campfires surrounded with friends and full of the dog stories where legends are made! Larry and Glenda are dear friends who were there when I first got started in the dog trialing many years ago. Larry is an ASCA stockdog judge and stockdog trainer. And Glenda is his partner in crime...

Today's guest represents 3 generations of working Aussie breeding. Beth Crandall visits the show to talk about her family's line of working dogs. This episode is just jam packed with great working dog information, ranching talk and dog training.   This is one of those easy listening conversations about dogs that allows me to appreciate a working Aussie even more.   Looking for a working Aussie? Ch...