Working Aussie Source Stockdog Library

Stockdog Library

SUBJECT INDEX | AUTHOR INDEX

Welcome to the Stockdog Library. We've brought together articles from many sources here; besides those commissioned by us, there are re-publications from websites, magazines, and online discussion boards. All are copyrighted to the authors unless otherwise marked, and the opinions expressed are those of the writer alone. Please remember that there are many different points of view and training techniques--not all of them will be appropriate for your dog, or your situation.

What's New: How To Know If You're Ready To Trial, by Anne Jespersen

A list of books and videos helpful in training loose-eyed breeds may be found on the FAQ page.

About Ranch Dog Trainer: This bimonthly magazine, published from 1985 to 2002, contained a wealth of material useful to working Australian Shepherd owners. Working Aussie Source obtained copyright permissions from the publisher and is republishing the most relevant articles.

We Welcome Submissions! If you have an Aussie stockdog story or article to share, please send it to us! Don't forget the photos if you have them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS BY SUBJECT

• GENERAL INFORMATION: definitions, descriptions, and miscellany

• BOOK AND VIDEO REVIEWS: herding training, historical, etc.

• AUSSIE STYLE: what to expect from your loose-eyed stock dog

• HISTORY: ancestry and development of the working Aussie

• GENETIC HEALTH: understanding inherited health problems in the working Aussie

• PUPPIES: selection, exposure to stock, practical obedience work . . .

• STARTING TRAINING: round pens, walkabouts, getting a down, calling off . . .

• INTERMEDIATE TRAINING: driving, flanks, outruns . . .

• RANCH AND FARM: stockdogs in the real world

• TRIALING

• STORIES AND PICTURES: memorable dogs, memorable days

• INTERVIEWS: famous and influential people

• SHEEP WORK

• CATTLE WORK

• OTHER STOCK: ducks, pigs, turkeys . . .

• ALPHABETICAL BY AUTHOR

General Information

Stockdog and Herding Titles
A list of ASCA, AKC, CKC, and AHBA working titles and what they signify

A Glossary of Herding Terms
Terminology and commonly used command words

The Rule of Ten
Stockdog handling commandments that every novice should memorize

Oliver, Red ("From the Unpublished Works of El Rojo")
Confounded by Commands and Corrections? Part 1: The Difference Between Them
Maybe the reason your dog doesn't obey your commands is because he can't figure out what you''re trying to say. With good reason. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Confounded by Commands and Corrections? Part II: Working Defintions
What are the basic commands and what do we mean by them? (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Spencer, Kay
How To Choose A Herding Instructor

The Genesis of Working Aussie Source
Everything you ever wanted to know and then some.

Book and Video Reviews

more suggestions about books and videos can be found on our FAQ page.

Rhodes, Elsie
Stockdog Savvy, by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ty Taylor (book)

Spencer, Kay
The American Shepherd
Reviews of Kelley of the Triune, Sheepwagon, and The Flock (books)

Sheepdog Training: an All-Breed Approach, by Mari Taggart (book)

Stub, the Greatest Cowdog in the West (video)

Aussie Style

ASCA Working Description
The description of the working style of the Australian Shepherd developed by the Australian Shepherd Club of America.

Martin, Terry
The Aussie Style and Outrun
What Aussies are bred for, and the good reason your Aussie doesn't naturally do a Border Collie-style outrun. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

The Working Aussie: What To Expect
How the Aussie can serve the working rancher

Morrison, Mari Taggart
The Australian Shepherd as a Sheepdog
Interviews with sheep ranchers and Aussie breeders and trainers about why they prefer the Aussie on sheep. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Weaver, Jeannie
Working Style: Aussies vs Border Collies
A trainer explains the differences between the strong-eyed Border Collie and the loose-eyed Aussie, and why each has its advantages and drawbacks. (From Aussie Times)

History

Sheepwagon Dogs
Historic photographs of the wide variety of sheepdogs used in the American West in the 19th and 20th centuries. (Photos are cropped images from Nancy's Weidel's book "Sheepwagon: Home on the Range")

Cotton, Mrs. Roy B.
The History of The Australian Shepherd in the Northwest
Elsie Cotton describes her uncle's ranch dogs in the early part of the 20th century, which documents an Australian origin for part of their ancestry. (from the Animal Research Foundation magazine)

Davis, Jan Haddle, and Phillip C. Wildhagen
The Early Aussie Breeders
A collection of short articles about many foundational breeders (From the ASCA 1978 Yearbook, which was a twenty year retrospective. With photographs.)

DeChant, Ann
The Old Welsh Bobtail Connection
An existing Welsh farm breed which is a dead ringer for the Australian Shepherd. (From the Aussie Times)

DeHaven, Liz
Is the Aussie Really a Scotch Collie?
a letter from the early 1970's from an Oregon rancher about the working dogs she knew. (From Aussie Times magazine)

Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy
Carrying on the Tradition--the Taylor Family of Livestock
An interview with Joe Taylor by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor. Stories about foundational dogs behind many working Aussies today, and the famous Taylor Creek Ranch. Historic and beautiful photos.

Lois George, Copper Canyon, and a Dog Named Red
An interview with foundation breeder Lois George.

Robert Carrillo and Casa de Carrillo: A Long Established Name
A tribute to one of the founders of the ASCA Stockdog Program.

Vanished Trails and Faded Memories of Australian Shepherd History
an argument for the Basque origins of the Aussie, with historical documentation.

Walt Lamar: one of ASCA's heaviest heavyweights
Jeanne-Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ernie Hartnagle interview one of the founders of ASCA.

Little, Maryland
History of the Australian Shepherd
This early Aussie breeder theorizes that the Aussie's foundation stock was based on Spanish herding dogs.

Oliver, Red
Is It Old Shep or Old Aussie, or Are They The Same?
Oliver argues, from historical evidence, that the Aussie derives from British farm dogs. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Martin, Terry
Jones' Reddy Teddy
A personal remininscence about a very talented and highly influentail early sire whose temperament gave many people pause. (from the Aussie Times)

Rowe's Commanche Warrior
Terry's interview with Jerry Rowe about his famous and influential dog. Includes some priceless old photos. (From The Aussie Times)

Rorem, Linda
Australian Shepherd History
Probably the best-researched exploration of the origins of the Aussie, updated in 2010 with additional notes. (from Dog World Magazine, via Herding On The Web)

Spencer, Kay
Stub, Best Cowdog in the West
A review of the entertaining and educational Disney film which contains footage of Jay Sisler's foundation dogs.
First Supreme Versatility Champion: Nick Davis and Apache Trails
Interview with Nick about his famous dog Apache Tears of Timberline, and his accomplished get.

Stevenson, Gwen
The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History, PART ONE
excerpts from her 1972 book: Preface, Australia and Australian Breeds, A letter from Eloise Hart on the founding of ASCA, The Australian Shepherd, Origin-History-Uses by Janeane Harper

The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History, PART TWO
excerpts from her 1972 book: Why Buy An Australian Shepherd by Janeane Harper, Standard of the Australian Shepherd approved by the Animal Research Foundation, The Origin of the Australian Shepherd by Tom D. Stodghill (1967-68)

The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History,, PART THREE
excerpts from her 1972 book: Breeding Australian Shepherds, by Tom D. Stodghill (1966), When to Start Your Pups, by Tom D. Stodghill (1969), Letter From Australia from Rod Berry (1969)

The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History, PART FOUR
excerpts from her 1972 book: The Physical and Mental Characteristics of the Australian Shepherd, by Mrs. Roy E. Cotton (1966), The Origin of the Blue Australian Shepherd Dogs, by Mrs. Bernard E. Ely, with a prefatory note by Tom Stodghill (1968-69)

The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History, PART FIVE
excerpts from her 1972 book: a letter from Lyman Nash, the story of Ritter's Streak, by Gwen Stevenson, My First Australian Shepherd (Hart's Blanco), by Eloise Hart, Tuck's Pepper and Tuck's Hotshot, by Mrs. Gary Tuck

The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History, PART SIX
excerpts from her 1972 book: Training Hints, by Walt Lamar, Thayer's Padrick King: "16 Year-Old Shepherd Dog Saves Woman From Mad Cow, Schmutz Turkey Ranch: "The Aussies Save the Day Again", Can We Set Up Working Stockdog Trials?, by Mrs. Gary Tuck.

The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History: Photo Gallery Part One
The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History: Photo Gallery Part Two
The Australian Shepherd's Origin and History: Photo Gallery Part Three

Wildhagen, Phillip C., and Jean Haddle Davis
The Early Aussie Breeders
Fletcher Wood, the Hartnagle's, Sorensen's, Rowe's, Carillo's, Dr. Heard, Maryland Little, and other foundation breeders and their dogs. (From the ASCA 1978 Yearbook, which was a twenty year retrospective. With photographs.)

History of the Australian Shepherd
The official ASCA historian details what was known about Aussie beginnings, circa thirty years ago. Both the information and the article itself are of historical interest. (From the twenty-year retrospective yearbook of the Australian Shepherd Club of America in 1978)

Genetic Health

Armstrong, John
Population Genetics and Breeding
The author was a geneticist and poodle lover, who applied his expertise to the problems inherent in common purebred dog breeding practices; this is a basic article which begins with a history of the evolution of population genetics studies, discusses the foundational issues of breeding, and makes concrete recommendations. (From The Canine Diversity Project website)

Bell, Jerold S., DVM
Hip Check
In the battle against canine hip dysplasia, identification, treatment, research, and careful breeding selection are the weapons of choice. (originally published in the AKC Gazette, also appears on the ASHGI website)

Sharp, C.A.
Can You See? Inherited Eye Disease in Aussies
The two most common genetic problems in Aussies are eye diseases. Do you know what they are? (from the ASHGI website)

Inherited Epilepsy and Working Aussies: Myths, Facts, and Questions
Is inherited epilepsy a significant problem in working Aussie lines? Where does it come from, and how can we deal with it? An interview with Kay Spencer.

BINGO! Understanding Polygenetic Inheritance
Why hip dysplasia is so hard to breed out, and why complex traits like working ability are so hard to breed in. (from Double Helix Network News)

The Price of Popularity: Popular Sires and Population Genetics
Describes "popular sire syndrome" and why it is so serious a problem. Her comments on working lines are not as true as they were at the time she wrote the article. (from Double Helix Network News)

The Rising Storm: What Breeders Need to Know About the Immune System. Tthe rising incidence of autoimmune disorders in Aussies, their causes, and how breeders can address the situation (from the ASHGI website, orignially publishedn the Aussie Times)

Speaking Heresy: A Dispassionate View of Crossbreeding
Brings rationality to a subject many purebred dog breeders consider completely off limits, but which can be a valuable tool when considered with an open mind. (from Double Helix Network News)

Spencer, Kay
Inherited Problems in Aussies
A concise guide to the most commonly encountered genetic issues in Australian Shepherds, designed for novices to the breed.

Puppies

Baker, Sherry
Starting the Stockdog
Picking a puppy, exposure to stock, when to start, and step-by-step through the first thirty days of training. Includes how to start on cattle first. Illustrative photos. (From Stockdogs Magazine)

Dexter, Tenley
The Difference Between Herding And Obedience Training
Thoughts on making a self-thinking stockdog that is also responsive to you. Why obedience training is fundamentally different. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Johnson, Rusty
The Whole Cattledog part one: Picking A Pup
Considerations on breeds, lines, breeders, and pups for the cattleman. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

The Whole Cattledog part two: Socializing A Pup
Do's and don'ts for your pup's first year. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

MacCallum, Tony
What, Where, How, Part Two
MacCallum explains his philosophy: you control the what and where, and the how is up to the dog. Judging a pup based on his first encounter with stock. How to create a working relationship while raising your pup. How to start a pup right. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Martin, Terry
So You Think You Might Want A Stockdog
What a dog can do for the stockman, what makes a good cowdog, and how to give your ranch pup the right start. (From Slash V Ranch website)

Morrison, Mari Taggart
Training A Young Aussie to Run Wide on Stock, or "Playing the Get Back Game" Addressing the issues of 'too fast' and 'too close' before stock work even begins.(from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Rohne, Tony
Selecting A Pup For Stock Work
A checklist for finding the right breeder, the right litter, and the right pup. (From Aussie Times)

Shope, Anne
Pre-Herding Training
Specific exercises to teach your puppy that will translate to easier training on stock later on. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Starting Training

Fixing the Outrun: Initial Shaping
Multiple authors discuss how to start out on the right foot when starting a young dog gathering. (from Ranch Dog Trainier Magazine)

Down or Stand
Multiple authors discuss how they use the down-stay and stand-stay in stock work (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Question and Answers about Starting a Cowdog
Five stockmen discuss basic training for a good cowdog. (From Ranch Dog Trainer magazine.)

Baker, Sherry
Starting the Stockdog
Picking a puppy, exposure to stock, when to start, and step-by-step through the first thirty days of training. Includes how to start on cattle first. Illustrative photos. (From Stockdogs Magazine)

Boyd, Dr.Leroy
A Wool-Pulling Young Dog
Q & A column answers a reader's concern.(From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Cooper, CynDee
Training Secrets of the Pros
How do they make it look so easy? Commonsense reminders of training basics (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Jack, the Handiest Dog I Ever Trained
CynDee starts a young Aussie for a Missouri cattle farmer and finds out just how handy a dog with four commands can be. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Pressure
Understanding the multiple meanings of this commonly used word. How is pressure correctly applied, on the dog and on the stock? (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Franklin, Linda C.
Prepare Your Herding Dog Properly For His Work: the importance of avoiding one-sidedness
The problems of letting side preferences continue in early training. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Hicks, Laura
Rebuilding Confidence.
What to do when stock beats up your young dog. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Holmes, Herbert
Teaching a Dog to Take Time, an article by the well-known Border Collie trialer Herbert 'Hub' Holmes, on the subtleties of getting a stockdog to self-pace. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Drive
an interesting tale of two dogs, one with 'natural presence' but low drive, the other with not much presence but a lot of drive, and what happened to each of them. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Jespersen, Anne
Getting A Stop
How to call your beginning dog off their stock. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Johnson, Rusty
Building Strength In A Young Dog
plain instructions on how to to start a dog on cattle so as to keep his confidence in himself and not let him get hurt while he's learning. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

The Whole Cattledog, Part Three: Beginning Work
How Rusty gets his young dogs going on cows. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

MacKenzie, Dana
Some Common Mistakes People Make When Training the Loose-Eyed Dog
The typical problems of novice handlers, and some tips for trainers who are more used to Border Collies and other strong-eyed breeds. Illustrated with Dana's wonderfully clear sketches. (from Stockdogs magazine)

Baby Lambs: My Secret Weapon for Starting a Young Dog
Working with baby lambs and ewes helps young dogs develop the habit of kindness to their stock.

Morrison, Mari Taggart

Creating a Training Partnership
Different training philosophies lead to different relationships with your dog and with your stock.(From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

First Lessons On Sheep
Introducing a young Aussie to sheep is eased by proper pretraining, and understanding basic concepts. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Teaching the "Stubborn" Stockdog to Lie Down
Mistakes trainers make which cause trouble with the 'down' command, and how to fix them. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Using Aggressive-Dominance Techniques on Close-running Sheep Dogs. How to get your powerful and courageous but hard-headed dog to kick out when you want him to. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Moses, Kirk
Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, and Punishment
Using modern knowlege about modifying animal behavior in a practical way to get both results and understanding in your stock dog. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

O'Reilly, Charles

Training Essentials
Thoughts on starting using a long line. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Oliver, Red
Bopping and Rebopping: Is it a Requirement? Is it Ethical?
The role of punishment in stockdog training, the use of positive and negative reinforcement, and why throwing things at dogs if your aim is really lousy isn't that great an idea. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Pritchard, Hank
Starting Dogs On Horseback
Bypassing the traditonal sheep-in-the-round-pen approach to making a cowdog (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Walter, Maarten
Round Pens, Walkabouts, and Chores
When to get out of the round pen, and what to do next. How to develop a young dog's natural stock instincts. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Weese, Michelle
Allowing a Dog to Learn
A method for starting dogs that develops natural instinct first, and then adds commands. (from Ranch Dog Trainer magazine)

Williams, Bud
Training the Ranch Dog
Making it easy on you, your dog, and most importantly, the livestock, from the beginning. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Intermediate Training

Flipping Away on One Flank
Multiple authors discuss problem of a young dog responding to pressure by turning away from the stock when flanking on one side. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Fixing the Outrun Getting the outrun you want. A question and answer forum. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Starting Driving
Multiple authors discuss various methods for beginning driving training. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Teaching a Dog to Sort Species
When you want your dog to just bring the sheep and not the cows, or vice versa. A question and answer forum with Steve & Judy Freeman and Roger Stevens (from Ranch Dog Trainer magazine)

Caldicott, Ian
Putting A Look Back on a Dog
It's easy if you teach it at the right time. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Dexter, Tenley
Concepts in Driving
The beginning stages in driving, steps to success. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Franklin, Linda C.
Training the Upstanding Breeds: Inside Flanks
A trainer with large experience of loose-eyed breeds details her method of starting driving training by showing the dog clearly how to make an inside flank first. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Training the Upstanding Breeds to Drive
Parallel driving, parallel circles, correcting looking at the handler, and when to move to more difficult situations. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Hodges, Mark
"Unbridled Enthusiasm", or, Teaching Grip
One approach to showing the dog how and when to grip appropriately.

Holmes, Herbert
Gripping
Correct and incorrect grips, and how to put grip 'on command'.

Johnson, Rusty
The Whole Cattledog Part Six: Side Commands
What makes a "broke" dog and how to put directions on your dog.

Lambert, Bev
Selecting Whistles
Although Aussie trainers don't typically use whistles, they can be of great help in distance work and in windy conditions. A Border Collie trialer explains how to start. (originally published in Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Larson, Butch
Working Corners
Knowing how to get into a tight corner and safely and quietly move stock out takes experience and training. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Mackenzie, Dana Thoughts on Driving
Setting your dog up in the beginning to understand the difference between driving and fetching. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Ranch and Farm

Teaching a Dog to Sort Species
When you want your dog to just bring the sheep and not the cows, or vice versa. A question and answer forum with Steve & Judy Freeman and Roger Stevens (from Ranch Dog Trainer magazine)

Alexander, L.R.
Confidence and Bite
The difference between a truly confident cowdog and one who justs bites, and how to develop it. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Andrews, Norm
Dog Tales From a Cattleman
How one farmer uses his good cowdog. A photo essay (From Aussie Times, via Slash V website)

Berthout, Charlie
The Crooked H Ranch
The rugged life on a cattle ranch in Arizona (From Aussie Times)

Cooper, CynDee
Cowboy Driving
Simple practical driving technique even a green dog can learn, immediately useful in ranch work. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Jack, the Handiest Dog I Ever Trained
CynDee starts a young Aussie for a Missouri cattle farmer and finds out just how handy a dog with four commands can be. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy
Carrying on the Tradition--the Taylor Family of Livestock
An interview with Joe Taylor by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor. Stories about foundational dogs behind many working Aussies today, and the famous Taylor Creek Ranch. Historic and beautiful photos.

Johnson, Rusty
Building Strength In A Young Dog
Plain instructions on how to to start a dog on cattle so as to keep his confidence in himself and not let him get hurt while he's learning. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

MacKenzie, Dana
Foot Farming
For those without a horse: a day with the cattle and a couple of good dogs. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Martin, Terry
Ranch Dog Development
Practical tips to get the best out of your cowdog. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

The Working Australian Shepherd: Developing His Power
How to start a young dog on cattle with the limited training facilities of a typical ranch. How to forestall problems and help your green cow dog to feel confident. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Trial Dogs And Ranch Dogs
The ASCA stockdog program vs the AKC herding program vs real ranch work. The differing needs of trialers and ranchers. (From Slash V Ranch website)

Oliver, Red
Power-Force
Real power in a cowdog versus the "killer cowdog" myth (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Pritchard, Hank
Starting Dogs On Horseback
Bypassing the traditonal sheep-in-the-round-pen approach to making a cowdog (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Rohne, Tony
Mutt, the Ranch Hand Dog
Does this great cowdog exist? What separates Mutt the Ranch Hand from the mere mutts. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

No Turners For Me Please
Cowdogs come in many varieties but nobody wants a 'turner'.

Thoughts by Tony Rohne
How to start a dog for practical use on a large operation; why Tony doesn't use the techniques developed for Border Collie trialing. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Suhr, Boe
The Cow/Calf Dog
Moving pairs with dogs, aiming for the least possible disturbance of the cattle. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Williams, Bud
Moving Stock
The master of low-stress stock handling on how to teach your dog to continue to move a group in the direction you have chosen, while you are busy doing something else. Also, Bud's famous dictum on how you know you have a good dog. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Ranch Dogs
Why trials and ranch work have little in common. What the rancher needs vs. what a trialer needs. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Training the Ranch Dog
Making it easy on you, your dog, and most importantly, the livestock, from the beginning. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Turning the Herd
Changing the direction of a big herd without stressing your stock or separating mothers and offspring. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Wilson, Roy
A Ranch Dog
Thoughts on what makes a useful dog for one rancher (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Trialing

When to Start Trialing
Tenley Dexter and Maarten Walter on how to judge when your dog is ready for Started. (From Aussie-Herders Yahoo discussion board)

Bishop, Cathy, and Joan Holmes and Terry Stickle
Cowdogs In Canada
Cowdog Clinic and the first ASCA Ranch Trial in Alberta, article and photo-essay.

MacKenzie, Dana
Slip and Red
A famous trialing team and a memorable run (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Hansen, Milene
An Aussie at a Border Collie Trial in Denmark
Milene and cHip compete for the Danish Mastership. A photo essay.

Jespersen, Anne
How To Know When You're Ready to Trial
A few signposts for the beginner
Kassa, Terri, and Kay Spencer
The 2008 ASCA Stockdog Finals Interviews Meet some of the top ten Finalists in Cattle, Sheep and Ducks; who they are, and how they got where they are today.

Rhodes, Nicole
A Sheepdog Trial in Kentucky
Photo essay of Wendy Pinckney and her young dog Trio at a USBCHA trial

Rorem, Linda
An Aussie at a French-style Trial in California
Linda and an Aussie ace a large-flock trial which showcases the Aussie's native talents.

Stories And Pictures

We Welcome Submissions! If you have an Aussie stock dog story or article to share, please send it to us! Don't forget the photos if you have them.

Feature Photo Gallery
The collected photographs previously featured on the Working Aussie Source home page.

Allen, Lily
The Story of Allen's Ebony Joe
The little stockdog that won her family's hearts. (From Aussie Times magazine)

Andrews, Norm
Dog Tales From a Cattleman
How one farmer uses his good cowdog. A photo essay (From Aussie Times, via Slash V website)

Bishop, Cathy, and Joan Holmes and Terry Stickle
Cowdogs In Canada
Cowdog Clinic and the first ASCA Ranch Trial in Alberta, article and photo-essay.

Boyd, Dr. Leroy
Old Dogs Never Die
What stockdogs really think of their handlers: humour. (from Ranch Dog Trainer)

Burns, Jamie
A Little Ranch Work: a photo essay

DeChant, Ann
Dan, an Amazing Aussie
The dog who made his own job, personal assistant in a veal barn. (From Aussie Times magazine)

Durkin, Michelle
Lending a Paw in Indiana
Two friends with their Aussies help out small farmers and have a few adventures along the way.

Epperly, Linda
A Workday in Idaho
Linda's dog Tanis helps with worming and hoof trimming her herd of sheep. A photo essay.

Falk, Rhonda
The Cow From Hell
Untrained Aussies take charge of a serious situation. (From Aussie Times magazine)

Ferris, Lyn
Cowdogs in the Snow
a photo essay of Lill Roth-Lee's dogs gathering cattle on her Alberta farm.

Hansen, Milene
An Aussie at a Border Collie Trial in Denmark
Milene and Chip compete for the Danish Mastership. A photo essay.

Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy
Carrying on the Tradition--the Taylor Family of Livestock
An interview with Joe Taylor by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor. Stories about foundational dogs behind many working Aussies today, and the famous Taylor Creek Ranch. Historic and beautiful photos.

Wild Bison: the Ultimate Challenge
A dramatic tale of working bison in Yellowstone National Park with a team of Aussies. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Hines, Erylon
The Go-to Dog
A talented young dog makes challenging tasks a breeze: a photo essay.

Hodges, Mark
Stories About Rory
"Urban Cowdog", "Aussies Love Chores", and "Rory the Hog Dog"

Holmes, Joan
Winter Work
A little blue dog makes her owner proud on a cold Alberta evening.

Jespersen, Anne
A Sheep Farm in Missouri
A little walk through the forest. Photo essay.

Lamb Time
A good lamb dog is invaluable in Spring. A photo essay

Tending in Autumn
a photo essay from a sheep farm in Wisconsin.

Logan, Donna
Under and Out
One dog's unusual strategy for getting sheep out of corners. Photo essay.

MacKenzie, Dana
Slip and Red
A famous trialing team and a memorable run (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

"That's How It's Done"
Sometimes old ladies know best. (From Aussie Times magazine)

The Measure of A Puppy's Heart
An "ordinary" working Aussie from the 1980's: stock-savvy, loyal, and protective unto death. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Martin, Terry
Jones' Reddy Teddy
A personal remininscence about a very talented and highly influentail early sire whose temperament gave many people pause (from The Aussie Times)

Rowe's Commanche Warrior
Terry's interview with Jerry Rowe about his famous and influential dog. Includes some priceless old photos. (From The Aussie Times)

Slash V Australian Shepherds
The history of the Slash V kennel, the foundational dogs, and the Slash V ideal working Aussie. (from Stockdogs Magazine)

Morrison, Mari Taggert
Everyday Heroes
Stories of Aussie stockdogs just doing their jobs, saving lives and moving the immoveable. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

For Love of Cody
Could this born stockdog be returned to usefulness after so much abuse? (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Moore, Roger
My Buddy Buzz
One man's story about an impossible job made simple by his workin' Aussie. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Radford, Laura
Young Cowdog
photo essay of a young Aussie doing his job on a cattle ranch.

Rhodes, Nicole
A Sheepdog Trial In Kentucky
A young Aussie runs a USBCHA trial. Photo essay of Wendy Pinckney and her dog Trio.

Spencer, Kay
Real World Working Aussies
Collected stories and anecdotes from readers about their useful Aussies, from saving the alfalfa from the cows and saving the sheep from drowning to finding lost tools and fetching eggs.

Interviews

The 2008 ASCA Stockdog Finals Interviews
Meet some of the top ten Finalists in Cattle, Sheep and Ducks; who they are, and how they got where they are today. By Terri Kassa and Kay Spencer

Sherry Baker "Third Generation Stockdog Handler". This Peggy Potter interview is from 1992. History of Twin Oaks, memorable adventures with Kit, breeding philosophy. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Sherry Baker "Starting the Stockdog" By Kay Spencer. Picking a puppy, exposure to stock, when to start, and step-by-step through the first thirty days of training. Includes how to start on cattle first. Illustrative photos. (From Stockdogs Magazine)

Nick Davis "First Supreme Versatility Champion: Nick Davis and Apache Trails" by Kay Spencer. The history and accomplishments of Nick's famous dog Apache and his get.

Diana Decker Jen Berol interview: "Sit, Stay, Heal". Decker keeps up her courageous fight against cancer with the help of her stockdogs (from Stockdogs Magazine)

Lois George "Lois George, Copper Canyon, and a Dog Named Red" by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Tayor.

The Hartnagles By Peggy Potter. "Los Rocosa Australian Shepherds". Foundations of Los Rocosa, breeding philosophy. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Cee Hambo "A Tradition of Working Dogs". By Peggy Potter This 1991 interview with the late Californian breeder and rancher is about her background, her famous dogs, and her breeding goals. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Walt Lamar "One of ASCA's Heaviest Heavyweights". Jeanne-Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ernie Hartnagle interview one of the founders of ASCA.

Tony MacCallum "What, Where, How, Part One". An Australian cattleman talks about how he trains his stockdogs to work both independently and obediently, in very rough country. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Tony MacCallum "What, Where, How, Part Two". MacCallum explains his philosophy: you control the what and where, and the how is up to the dog. Judging a pup based on his first encounter with stock. How to create a working relationship while raising your pup. How to start a pup right. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Terry Martin "Slash V Australian Shepherds". The history of the Slash V kennel, the foundational dogs, and the Slash V ideal working Aussie. (from Stockdogs Magazine)

C.A.Sharp "Inherited Epilepsy and Working Aussies: Myths, Facts, and Questions" By Kay Spencer.

Joy and Maggie Sisler"Jay Sisler, The Man Behind the Famous Blue Dogs". How one of the seminal figures in Aussie history got started, and how he trained his amazing rodeo and movie trick dogs. By Andrea Scott

Joe Taylor By Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor."Carrying on the Tradition" Joe and Jeanne Joy's stories about foundational dogs behind many working Aussies today, and the famous Taylor Creek Ranch. Historic and beautiful photos.

Sandra Zilch A German breeder and trainer discusses her dogs, her breeding stategy, and the outlook for working Australian Shepherds in Europe. By Kay Spencer

Sheep Work

Fixing the Outrun
Getting the outrun you want. A question and answer forum. (originally published in Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Barnes, Orin
Reading Livestock Simplifies Handling
Taking the mystery out of how livestock think.(From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Logan, Donna
Under and Out
One dog's unusual strategy for getting sheep out of corners. Photo essay.

Morrison, Mari Taggart
The Australian Shepherd as a Sheepdog
Interviews with sheep ranchers and Aussie breeders and trainers about why they prefer the Aussie on sheep. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Rodgerson, George E.
The Stockdog At Lambing Time: An Invaluable Partner
"A good dog is indispensable in pasture lambing" (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Cattle Work

Question and Answers about Starting a Cowdog
Five stockmen discuss basic training for a good cowdog. (From Ranch Dog Trainer magazine.)

Alexander, L.R.
Dog Breaking Cattle
Common-sense procedures developed by an experienced cattleman. Interview format. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Confidence and Bite
The difference between a truly confident cowdog and one who justs bites, and how to develop it. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Andrews, Norm
Dog Tales From a Cattleman
How one farmer uses his good cowdog. A photo essay (From Aussie Times, via Slash V website)

Barnes, Orin
Reading Livestock Simplifies Handling
Taking the mystery out of how livestock think.(From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Cooper, CynDee
Jack, the Handiest Dog I Ever Trained
CynDee starts a young Aussie for a Missouri cattle farmer and finds out just how handy a dog with four commands can be. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Cox, Roy
HardHeaded
The different types of cattle-working dogs that can be labeled hard to train, and how to treat them. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy
Cowology
Basics of cattle handling for the novice

Johnson, Rusty
Building Strength In A Young Dog
plain instructions on how to to start a dog on cattle so as to keep his confidence in himself and not let him get hurt while he's learning. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Do You Want Or Need That Much Control?
The price you pay when you try to make a pretty picture instead of letting your dog do his job. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

The Whole Cattledog, part three: Beginning Work
How Rusty starts his young cowdogs. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

The Whole Cattledog, part six: Side Commands
finishing touches, and whether you need them (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

MacCallum, Tony
What, Where, How, Part One
An Australian cattleman talks about how he trains his stockdogs to work both independently and obediently, in very rough country. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

What, Where, How, Part Two
MacCallum explains his philosophy: you control the what and where, and the how is up to the dog. Judging a pup based on his first encounter with stock. How to create a working relationship while raising your pup. How to start a pup right. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

MacKenzie, Dana
Foot Farming
For those without a horse: a day with the cattle and a couple of good dogs. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Martin, Terry
Ranch Dog Development
Practical tips to get the best out of your cowdog. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

The Working Australian Shepherd: Developing His Power
How to start a young dog on cattle with the limited training facilities of a typical ranch. How to forestall problems and help your green cow dog to feel confident. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Enhancing Heeling Instinct
How to use a variety of techniques, including working in pairs, chute work, and alley work, to bring out the desire to heel cattle--if the instinct is there. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

So You Think You Might Want A Stockdog
What a dog can do for the stockman, what makes a good cowdog, and how to give your ranch pup the right start. (From Slash V Ranch website)

Oliver, Red
Power-Force
Real power in a cowdog versus the "killer cowdog" myth (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Pritchard, Hank
Starting Dogs On Horseback
Bypassing the traditonal sheep-in-the-round-pen approach to making a cowdog (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Rohne, Tony
Bite Is Might!!
Why a cowdog must be able to grip if he is to be useful. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Mutt, the Ranch Hand Dog
Does this great cowdog exist? What separates Mutt the Ranch Hand from the mere mutts. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Suhr, Boe
The Cow/Calf Dog
Moving pairs with dogs, aiming for the least possible disturbance of the cattle. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Wilson, Roy
A Ranch Dog
Thoughts on what makes a useful dog for one rancher (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Other Stock

Terri Hardwick
Duck Herding
Ducks as a sheep substitute for beginning training in limited space. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)

Rorem, Linda
Web-footed Sheep Substitutes
clear and detailed suggestions for keeping and using ducks for herding, including obtaining, breeds, care, and training. (from Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine and HerdingOnTheWeb)

Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor
Wild Bison: the Ultimate Challenge
A dramatic tale of working bison in Yellowstone National Park with a team of Aussies. (From Ranch Dog Trainer Magazine)