The definitive podcast for all things Australian Shepherd.
The Instinctive Australian Shepherd
Claim This Podcastby Jacqueline Tinker
4.9(31 reviews)
40 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
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Podcast Overview
The definitive podcast for all things Australian Shepherd.
Language
🇦🇦
Publishing Since
11/18/2019
1 verified contact email on file for The Instinctive Australian Shepherd
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
February 25, 2026
Protecting the Working Aussie: The Futurity, Vetting, and What Comes Next
<p class="p3">In this update episode, <span class= "s2"><strong>Jacque Tinker</strong></span> shares major news from the working Australian Shepherd world—plus several big announcements you won't want to miss. The episode spotlights the <span class="s2"><strong>Working Aussie Source (workingaussiesource.com)</strong></span>, 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 stockdog homes.</p> <p class="p3">Jacque explains the purpose and history of the Working Aussie Source, how litters are reviewed, and why preserving concentrated working genetics matters. She also dives into the return of a legendary working-dog tradition: the <span class= "s2"><strong>Futurity</strong></span>, revived for the first time in 20 years, and now expanded into a multi-event weekend designed to showcase real ranch work—not just arena patterns.</p> <p class="p3">You'll also hear updates on upcoming events, how to support the Futurity, where to find trainers and resources, and a personal announcement Jacque has been waiting a long time to share.</p> <h2><strong>In This Episode</strong></h2> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">What the <span class="s1"><strong>Working Aussie Source</strong></span> is and why it exists</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">How breeders and litters are <span class= "s1"><strong>vetted</strong></span> (and why that can be controversial)</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Why working Aussies need a purpose—and why placement matters</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">The return of the <span class= "s1"><strong>Futurity</strong></span> and what makes it different today</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Why Jacque raised the Futurity age and structured it around <span class="s1"><strong>real ranch tasks</strong></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Introduction of the <span class="s1"><strong>World Ranch Dog Finals</strong></span> (the updated "maturity" concept)</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Details for the combined 2025/2026 event weekend: <span class="s1"><strong>April 23–26, 2026</strong></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">How to sponsor and support: <span class= "s1"><strong>Friends of the Futurity</strong></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Training opportunities, camps, and lessons through <span class="s1"><strong>stockdogtrainer.com</strong></span></p> </li> <li> <p class="p1">Big personal news: Jacque's <span class= "s1"><strong>Copper the Ranch Dog</strong></span> children's book series is underway</p> </li> </ul> <p class="p1"> </p> <h2><strong>Announcements Mentioned</strong></h2> <p class="p1"> </p> <ul> <li> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Swag shop:</strong></span> australianshepherdnation.com</p> <ul> <li> <p class="p1">Discount code: <span class= "s1"><strong>INSTINCT10</strong></span> (10% off)</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p class="p1"><strong>Futurity + Ranch Dog Finals:</strong> <span class="s1">April 23–26, 2026</span></p> </li> <li> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Support the event:</strong></span> "Friends of the Futurity" sponsorship option on workingaussiesource.com</p> </li> <li> <p class="p1"><strong>Cattle Camp + training:</strong> <span class= "s1">stockdogtrainer.com</span></p> </li> <li> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>New books coming:</strong></span> Copper the Ranch Dog children's book series (Book 1 in illustration now; Books 2–3 in editing</p> </li> </ul>
January 14, 2026
Instinct at Work: Australian Shepherds with a Job That Matters
<p dir="ltr">What if your Australian Shepherd's biggest superpower isn't speed or herding instinct… but their nose?</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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).</p> <p dir="ltr">You'll also meet her three Aussies:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Que (retired, still brilliant, still hungry)<br /> <br /></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Epic (the seasoned field dog with the "freeze-and-dance" alert)<br /> <br /></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">River (the young trainee learning the difference between "search" and "follow my footsteps")<br /> <br /></p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p><a href= "https://www.theinstinctiveaussie.com">www.theinstinctiveaussie.com</a></p> <p> </p>
December 31, 2025
The Australian Shepherd That Replaced Four Cowboys
<p class="p1">What does a real working Australian Shepherd look like in 2025?</p> <p class="p2"> </p> <p class="p1">In this episode of <span class="s1"><strong>The Instinctive Australian Shepherd</strong></span>, Jacque Tinker sits down with <span class="s1"><strong>Shawn Raff</strong></span>, a Georgia cattleman running roughly <span class="s1"><strong>4,000 head</strong></span> across large blocks of ground—and relying daily on one exceptional Aussie: <span class= "s1"><strong>Rooster</strong></span>.</p> <p class="p1">Rooster isn't a "weekend ranch dog." He's the kind of partner most people only hear about: moving <span class= "s1"><strong>700–800 head</strong></span> 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."</p> <p class="p1">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.</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Plus:</strong></span> Rooster's recognition through the <span class="s1"><strong>Georgia Farm Bureau</strong></span>, including public events, interviews, and meeting state leaders—proof that working dogs still matter, and still inspire.</p> <p class="p1">If you care about preserving the working Aussie, this one's for you.</p> <p class="p3"><strong>Join the conversation:</strong></p> <p class="p1">Facebook group: Instinctive Australian Shepherd</p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">Show notes + links:</span> <strong>theinstinctiveaussie.com</strong></p> <p class="p3"><strong>Here are some cool links:</strong></p> <p class="p3"><a class="msg-focus-element" tabindex="0" href= "https://youtu.be/N6gRhdrtyUs" target="_blank" rel= "nofollow noopener">https://youtu.be/N6gRhdrtyUs</a></p> <p class="p3"> </p>
40 total episodes available
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- What is The Instinctive Australian Shepherd?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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