C-ME GO FOR THE GUSTO		CHEVREHERDS RARE JEWEL
	4/28/10 X

 

 

LC'S MR. MAN X		AL FUZZRING KATE
	11/15/10 X

 

 

SIRE 3 NAME		DAM 3 NAME
	X

Dog Name: Coming Soon Sire Name: Coming Soon Dam Name: Coming Soon Date of Birth: Coming Soon Registry: Coming Soon Standing at Stud: Coming Soon

Dog Name: Coming Soon Sire Name: Coming Soon Dam Name: Coming Soon Date of Birth: Coming Soon Registry: Coming Soon Standing at Stud: Coming Soon

Dog Name: Coming Soon Sire Name: Coming Soon Dam Name: Coming Soon Date of Birth: Coming Soon Registry: Coming Soon Standing at Stud: Coming Soon

 

 

 

To our new puppy owners:
We sincerely appreciate your interest in our Australian Shepherds. We work hard at producing what we think are some of the best working dogs in this part of the country. It is of very important to us that you are happy with your Aussie and that you have a long and happy life together! In order for you, and your dog, to be happy your dog must be able to do the job for which you purchased it. Each puppy is individually selected for a particular owner based on the puppy’s personality and what the owner’s expectations and needs are.
Many people ask if we will help them with their puppy. I am more than willing to help with dogs purchased from us; however, we do have things that we ask that you do in order to give your puppy every chance to fulfill your dreams!

Your Responsibilities:
As responsible breeders, we have a responsibility to you to help ensure that you are happy with your dog. Likewise, there are some things that are your responsibility to do to ensure that you are happy with your dog. Among them are:
Spend Time with your Dog - Bringing a dog into your family is just that - you are adding a family member. The life expectancy of a well cared for Aussie is 13-16 years, and your dog will spend the majority of those years loving you and trying to please you in a productive manner. But a dog that is left by itself all the time with no socialization and minimal human contact is probably not going to turn out like you want. The more time you can spend with your dog, the better. Get to know him - take him with you whenever possible, especially when doing chores. Even if not a "house dog", allow him to come inside for periods of time, for instance, at night when the atmosphere is relaxed. He will enjoy a little conversation and attention, and will learn how to behave inside. CAUTION: NEVER let your dog ride in the back of a pickup unless it is restrained or in a crate that is tied down.
Confinement - Strong working dogs are not like dogs bred for companionship or show...they are bred to work stock, and that is what they are going to do whenever they get a chance. That is one reason why you should never let a working dog run loose. First of all, it is dangerous for the dog (poison, communicable diseases, autos, other dogs, irate neighbours, etc.). Second, a working dog that wants to work will find stock to work if left running loose - it may be yours, it may be the neighbours’ - but work it he will, and unsupervised, he will do it according to his set of rules which you can bet will be very different from and much more lenient than yours. In today’s society most of us have fairly close neighbours, within easy visiting distance for a dog. Be courteous to others and do not allow your dog to become a nuisance. If he does, he may meet with an unpleasant accident, especially if he gets into someone else’s stock. We emphatically recommend that if you don’t already have a kennel, build one. Contrary to what many people think, it is not cruel to confine a dog. It is for the dog’s (and your, and your neighbours’) best interest.
Crate Training - We highly recommend that you purchase a large size Vari-Kennel or "dog crate" and teach your puppy at an early age to stay inside it without whining or barking. Again, contrary to what many people think, it is not cruel to ask a dog to stay inside a crate for reasonable lengths of time (not all day long. especially when still a young puppy). From its wild ancestry, dogs inherit a desire for a hole, or den, to go to so that they feel safe, secure, and protected. Once your puppy gets used to the crate it will view it as its "den" and go inside readily. Many people use them as indoor dog houses. Crates are invaluable when your dog is ill and must be confined; those times when the dog doesn’t need to be underfoot; trips to the veterinarian, traveling in general, and as a housetraining aid. Speaking of vets, yours will certainly appreciate your puppy being used to a crate. Then if it is ever boarded, or has to stay at the vet’s because of illness, no one will have to listen to continuous howling and barking.
Basic Obedience - Every dog needs basic obedience. Short, simple lessons can begin as early as a few weeks. Obedience does not have to be taught in a structured environment such as obedience classes, although your dog will benefit from the socialization these classes offer. Basic obedience should be taught before formal herding training begins. Most of the basic obedience commands are also used in herding. Your puppy should be taught what we consider the "good manners" basics - walk on a lead, sit, lie down, quiet, come when called, stay, and no. It should also be taught not to jump up on people, using the command "off". At least basic obedience will also make the dog a more enjoyable companion for you.

You Are the Control Panel
The dog must recognize YOU as the "control panel" , or "leader of the pack", the one who gives it assistance, guidance, and commands. Be reasonable, but firm and consistent in your discipline. Puppies establish a pecking order quickly once established, it is hard to change. Be sure that YOU are at the top of your puppy's pecking order!! This is another reason why it is important for you to participate in the training lessons with your dog. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything about working a dog right now, you can both learn together. That’s the best way and it all starts with basic obedience before it can lead to training your pup as a stockdog or agility dog, or anything else!

Be Patient!
Remember, this is a puppy! You may begin your obedience lessons any time you wish and the earlier the better in our opinion; however, you do need to ensure that your puppy has sufficient vaccinations before taking classes! For stockdog training we recommend waiting until the dog is at least six months old. It is normal to become impatient and want to see results from your working puppy at an early age, but it is important to remember that it is first a baby, then an adolescent, then a young adult, and finally a mature adult. Just as a baby, adolescent, or inexperienced young adult cannot be expected to do a job as well as an older, more seasoned adult, neither can the equivalent in a dog. It will take many months, or even years of practice for your dog to reach its full potential. Unlike other breeds, an Aussie does not mature completely mentally until about five (5) years of age, so it is fully capable of learning new things well into its mature years. Pushing and expecting (or demanding) too much of a dog too soon may create working or thinking habits that are hard, if not impossible, to overcome.

Free Phone Consultations
If you have a problem, or have questions, we are always happy to try and help you over the telephone, at no charge. If you phone and get the answering machine, please leave us a message…we WILL get back to you as soon as we can! If, in the future, you find you must re-home your Herdstock dog, you MUST contact us first. Our dogs are not to be placed in a rescue or humane society for any reason...WE WILL help you find a new, suitable home or we will take the dog back into our own kennel until such time as we can find a suitable home.