Awesome Aussie Dogs


Book Description

Australia is filled to the brim with awesome dogs. From our kelpies to our collies, our shepherds to our terriers - every dog that calls Australia home is excellent. There are some dogs though, that when given the chance, are at the head of the pack. They have a special quality about them. They are legendarily loyal, the kind of dog who'll stick by you no matter what. They are beautifully brave, willing to face danger for the sake of someone else. They've gone on an astounding adventure, leaving the backyard behind for some kind of caper. They're a kind of superhero, responsible for rescuing someone in danger. They may have stood shoulder-to-knee with our soldiers in battles, or walked beside someone who needed a helping paw. In this book you'll meet just some of the awesome dogs that call Australia home.




Top Dogs: a Celebration of Great Australian Working Dogs


Book Description

A unique celebration of our remarkable Aussie working dogs, illustrated with photographs taken by the people who love them. Ask anyone who lives and works on the land and they will tell you that a good working dog is the heart and soul of rural life. Working dogs can't be downsized, upgraded, outsourced or made into an app. They are just top dogs - agile and energetic, heroic and hardworking, loyal and loveable. In this joyous tribute to Australia's working dogs, people all over the country share their favourite stories and photos of the incredible dogs that make such a huge difference to their lives each day. These cheerful workaholics are celebrated in tales of heroism, extraordinary intuition, unflagging dedication and intelligence. Featuring 100 unforgettable photographs drawn from a nationwide competition on ABC Local Radio, and favourite true-life stories from Angela Goode's beloved bestseller GREAT AUSTRALIAN WORKING DOG STORIES, TOP DOGS is a celebration of these irrepressible four-legged companions who greet each day with enthusiasm and a wagging tail.




The Complete Guide to Australian Shepherds


Book Description

Written by respected Aussie breeder Kirsten Tardiff of Echolight Australian Shepherds, this book truly is a "Complete Guide" in which even the most experienced Aussie owner will learn something new! The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, energetic, enthusiastic breed that was developed in the American west to herd livestock for farmers and ranchers. Today, while some still work on farms as their ancestors once did, others are a force to be reckoned with in competitive dog sports and are valued as loyal family companions. Affectionately called “Aussies” by their devotees, this breed can seem over the top to some potential owners; but those that lead an active lifestyle and enjoy training their dog will find an apt companion and willing pupil in an Aussie. Their intelligence and willingness to please their owner is unmatched. This breed is typically reserved with strangers and makes a good watch dog. In this book, you will discover the history and unique characteristics of the Australian Shepherd, as well as how to choose a reputable breeder or rescue and where to find them. Use this guide to prepare your home for a new addition, navigate through your first day together, and train them to be a wonderful companion. Explore chapters on nutrition, grooming, healthcare and more to give your Aussie the very best quality of life. Chapter topics include: Choosing an Australian Shepherd Preparing Your Home for Your Australian Shepherd Bringing Home Your Australian Shepherd Housetraining Socializing with People and Animals Physical and Mental Exercise Training Your Australian Shepherd Basic Obedience Commands Dealing with Unwanted Behaviors Traveling with Your Australian Shepherd Nutrition Grooming Your Australian Shepherd Australian Shepherd Healthcare Senior Dog Care Whether you are new to the breed or are fortunate enough to have been loved by an Australian Shepherd before, this book will be your guide to everything Aussie.




Amazing Aussie Dogs


Book Description

Some say Australia was built on the sheep’s back, but it’s just as true to say our nation was built in the dog kennel – after all, it was the dogs that were rounding up the sheep. Australians love their dogs – we’re home to more than 4 million pet pooches – and they love us right back. These are the stories of some of our most remarkable canine companions, embodying the spirit of hard work, mateship and larrikinism. Dogs like DJ the border collie, who survived for days after falling into floodwater near Lismore. Kimmy the kelpie, who sold for a record-breaking amount at a working-dog auction. Basil the Rottweiler, who defied the misconceptions about his breed and saved a drowning child. And Lexi the Jack Russell terrier, who learned to ‘drive’ a ute through the paddocks on her farm. Our faithful four-legged friends save us from peril, inspire works of art and offer unwavering loyalty. In Amazing Aussie Dogs, Laura Greaves brings to life these inspirational true stories of our homegrown heroes.




All about Aussies


Book Description

The definitive guide to the Australian Shepherd dog. Hartnagle-Taylor has been involved with Aussies since childhood. She has trained, worked, exhibited in rodeos, and competed in shows and trials. Now she tells you everything you need to know to make your dog the best it can possibly be. This book is a must for every owner or prospective owner of an Australian Shepherd.




Australian Shepherds of the Mountain West


Book Description

The Mountain West equation was one of the most successful in the history of the Australian Shepherd breed. The combination of Jay Sisler, Fletcher Wood, and other dogs of that general type created the highest levels of intelligence, working ability, protectiveness, and versatility. With the help of others personally familiar with these dogs, the author presents humorous, inspiring, and heart-felt stories shared by the owners of these foundation bloodlines. Documents about the background and lineage, registration papers, genealogy flow charts, and information establishing type and character of this special group of dogs within the Aussie breed is also included. This comprehensive collection is a must for all herding enthusiasts! Printed in full color, this hardcover bound 676 page book includes over 1500 photographs, diagrams, and charts, many never before published. The images present a photographic story of how the dogs from the past have influenced the breed as we know it today. ""It has been my desire to preserve for history the tales of these outstanding individuals and their well earned place in the founding of this breed. I am thankful to all those who contributed and allowed me access to their memories."" -Kris Toft




The Other End of the Leash


Book Description

Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.




Chaser


Book Description

Chaser has a way with words. She knows over a thousand of them—more than any other animal of any species except humans. In addition to common nouns like house, ball, and tree, she has memorized the names of more than one thousand toys and can retrieve any of them on command. Based on that learning, she and her owner and trainer, retired psychologist John Pilley, have moved on to further impressive feats, demonstrating her ability to understand sentences with multiple elements of grammar and to learn new behaviors by imitation. John’s ingenuity and tenacity as a researcher are as impressive as Chaser’s accomplishments. His groundbreaking approach has opened the door to a new understanding of animal intelligence, one that requires us to reconsider what actually goes on in a dog’s mind. Chaser’s achievements reveal her use of deductive reasoning and complex problem-solving skills to address novel challenges. Yet astonishingly, Chaser isn’t unique. John’s training methods can be adopted by any dog lover. Through the poignant story of how he trained Chaser, raised her as a member of the Pilley family, and proved her abilities to the scientific community, he reveals the positive impact of incorporating learning into play and more effectively channeling a dog’s natural drives. John’s work with Chaser offers a fresh perspective on what’s possible in the relationship between a dog and a human. His story points us toward a new way of relating to our canine companions that takes into account our evolving understanding of the way animals and humans learn.




Stockdog Savvy


Book Description

Whether you are interested in working dogs for a hobby, on the ranch, or for serious trial competition, Stockdog Savvy will be an invaluable aid. Beginning with chapters on herding dog characteristics, instinct, and choosing a herding dog, the Taylors explain how to prepare your puppy and do basic foundation training. The book progresses to starting the dog on stock and developing a useful working dog and ends with advanced lessons and preparing for the various types of competition. If you want to learn about working stockdogs, this is the book for you! Learn how to: • Select, care for and train a working stock dog. • Teach your dog to work cattle, sheep, goats, foul or exotic livestock. • Choose the right type or breed of livestock, care for and handle them correctly. • Train a dog for work on a ranch, the open range, or in the trial pen. • Recognize more than 60 different herding breeds and much, much more.




Show Dog


Book Description

Journalist Josh Dean tells the story of a loveable Australian Shepherd, Jack, on his novice tour through the exciting world of professional dog showing, following Jack from his first competitions in local school gymnasiums all the way to the great granddaddy of them all, the Westminster Dog Show. A veteran journalist, Dean shines a warm, steady light on the trials that Jack and his plucky, dedicated owners come to face, and uses their story to explore the larger histories of dog shows themselves; the fascinating and sometimes bizarre history of purebred dogs; and our complex, heartfelt relationships to the pets we grow to love. For dog lovers, readers of Marley & Me, Merle’s Door, and Oogy, and fans of Best in Show, Dean’s Show Dog is an irresistible instant classic.