The Instinctive Australian Shepherd

Jacqueline Tinker
  • 4.9 (31)
  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The definitive podcast for all things Australian Shepherd.

  1. JAN 14

    Instinct at Work: Australian Shepherds with a Job That Matters

    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 disruptive invasive pests in the U.S.: the spotted lanternfly. Kallie shares what her job looks like on the ground—inspecting nurseries, tracking plant pests and pathogens, and responding to public reports—then takes us deep into the real-world process of training detection dogs on lanternfly egg masses (including the surprising challenges: "dead" vs. "live" eggs, changing scent over time, tiny odor cones, and why trust in your dog matters more than your eyes). You'll also meet her three Aussies: Que (retired, still brilliant, still hungry) Epic (the seasoned field dog with the "freeze-and-dance" alert) River (the young trainee learning the difference between "search" and "follow my footsteps") Along the way, you'll hear a jaw-dropping story about egg masses hidden inside a woodpecker hole and under bark—found by scent alone—plus a candid look at how conservation detection work is built through experimentation, mistakes, and miles. If you've ever wondered what "a real job" for an Aussie can look like outside the ranch—or you're looking for ways to channel that busy brain into meaningful work—this one will light you up. Topics include: conservation detection dogs, spotted lanternfly impact, training aids and scent tubes, field searches on the edge of infestations, handler trust, and why mental work can tire an Aussie better than endless fetch. www.theinstinctiveaussie.com

    46 min

  2. 12/31/2025

    The Australian Shepherd That Replaced Four Cowboys

    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 700–800 head in a couple of hours, shifting dairy heifers pasture-to-pasture, working chutes and tubs, and staying steady on concrete where one wrong move can cost thousands. Shawn breaks down what makes Rooster different—his natural stock sense, his ability to adjust his pressure based on the type of cattle, and the stamina it takes to work all day because "there is no putting him back." You'll also hear about Rooster's temperament off the cattle—calm, social, and beloved by everyone on the operation—plus the moment Shawn realized Rooster wasn't just a good dog… he was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of dog. From "thinking dog" instincts to heat conditioning, from real-world usefulness to trial-ring differences, this conversation is a powerful reminder of what we're trying to preserve: the true working Australian Shepherd. Plus: Rooster's recognition through the Georgia Farm Bureau, including public events, interviews, and meeting state leaders—proof that working dogs still matter, and still inspire. If you care about preserving the working Aussie, this one's for you. Join the conversation: Facebook group: Instinctive Australian Shepherd Show notes + links: theinstinctiveaussie.com Here are some cool links: https://youtu.be/N6gRhdrtyUs

    49 min

  3. 11/19/2025

    Saddle up with your Aussie- Horse & Dog Trail Competitions

    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 handlers. Segment Highlights: Danielle Beumkes shares her experiences from the Netherlands, where horse and dog trail activities are gaining popularity. Learn about her journey with her Australian Shepherd, Tony, and her quarter horse, Lena, as they navigate this thrilling sport. Kimberly Watson, a pioneer of the horse and dog trail program in the U.S., discusses the challenges and joys of starting this activity stateside. Discover how you can get involved and what it takes to train your dog and horse for these unique competitions. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or new to the world of horse and dog trails, this episode offers insights, tips, and inspiration to get started. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that celebrates the bond between humans, dogs, and horses. 🔗 Join the Conversation: Connect with fellow enthusiasts on our Facebook group, "The Instinctive Australian Shepherd," and visit our website at theinstinctiveaussie.com for show notes and more. Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to stay updated on new episodes. See you on the trail! 🐴🐶   Resource mentioned in the podcast: https://hadtrailusa.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/541735102159617 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxhVWnpg3wc&t=18s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIhqaoCtzUg

    46 min

  4. 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: https://www.youtube.com/@Dogsportcoachkat https://www.thedogsportcoach.co.uk/   Connect with Jacqueline Tinker: Lessons, trained dogs, occasional puppies, clinics, and trials Phone number: 817-948-8825 www.stockdogtrainer.com www.intinctiveaussie.com www.workingaussiesource.com

    1h 25m

  5. 02/20/2025

    True Versatility - Working Ranch dogs - Winning Trial dogs with Tom Collins

    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 and ranch and then go win in the trial arena.  Tom and I share the honor of winning the ASCA Stockdog Finals Cattle Champion award. My dog Copper and I won in 2022 and Tom and his dog Doc won in 2024. We discuss the excitement and thrill of winning that honor and more importantly, how valuable each of our dogs are on our ranch.  Do you have a question or are you interested in a private or virtual lesson? Reach out to Jacqueline for more information!  Connect with Jacqueline Tinker: Lessons, trained dogs, occasional puppies, clinics, and trials Phone number: 817-948-8825 www.stockdogtrainer.com www.intinctiveaussie.com www.workingaussiesource.com

    1h 29m

  6. 01/03/2025

    The Working Aussie Source Big Announcement

    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 Bhoy Opelinia and thanks to everyone who has been supporting the Working Aussie Source over the years. Kristin Tara Horowitz, I hope this makes you proud!   Announcement: 1) Website Update 2) Futurity & Maturity Announcements 3) WAS Dog of the Year 4) WAS World Ranch   Check it out in this video announcement. Time to let our light shine!

    34 min

  7. 01/10/2024

    Upping our Herding Game- Raising Expectations with Erin Eckert Part 1

    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, continuous improvement, and the value of a supportive community. The conversation also touches on the importance of overcoming fear of mistakes, adapting to varying conditions, and the deep bond formed between handlers and their dogs through the process of training and trialing.

    49 min

  8. 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.

    54 min
See All (40)

4.9
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

The definitive podcast for all things Australian Shepherd.

Information

  • Creator
    Jacqueline Tinker
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019-2020 Funky Town K9 Academy, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Instinctive Australian Shepherd

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