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Tracy Custer

Fun Links - Education - Training

The Australian Cattle Dog is a breed of herding dog developed in Australia for driving cattle. Cattle dogs are medium-sized, short-coated and are athletic and agile which makes them excel in many areas. Most Australian Cattle Dogs have a stripe or spot of white hair in the center of the forehead called the Bentley Mark. This mark can be traced to a purebred dog owned by Thomas Bentley of Australia. According to legend Tom Bentley combined different breeds to produce a breed that met the expectations of the drovers in Australia. His dogs passed on this distinctive mark to all Australian Cattle Dogs.

Cattle dogs come in blue, blue mottled, blue speckled, red, red speckled, and red mottled. ACD's don't come in blue merle. This breed is known by several names: Australian cattle dog, blue/red heeler, Queensland heeler and Bluey's. A cattle dog is supposed to have a tail. The tail is used as a rudder when working cattle or doing agility.

Cattle dogs have high energy levels and active minds so they can easily be trained for any activity. They are all around dogs but need to participate in dog sports or other activities that excercise their body as well as their minds. These dogs are naturally cautious towards strangers. So they need to be well socialized. ACD's are often called the "velcro" dog because they are very loyal and want to stay close to their person. ACD's want to be involved in everything we do. ACD owners must be willing to learn about the breed, spend time and train their dogs, and be a "pack" leader.

Please click on the links below to find out more about Australian Cattle Dogs and see if your lifestyle is suited to this breed.

Training

Dashing Dogs Agility and Obedience

We are Lois and Robin Carberry. Our facility is known as Dashing Dogs Agility and Obedience. We have been training and competing in agility, obedience, rally, confirmation, and herding for about 10 years. We have a large indoor building for winter and an outdoor grass, fenced in area for summer.

We have experience in training many breeds, but our personal favorites are Cattle Dogs. They offer a unique blend of drive, stamina and a desire to please the handler that makes them very competitive in all venues.

We have competed and earned titles with our Cattle Dogs in agility, AKC, UKC, and our personal favorite N.A.D.A.C. Right now our Cattle Dog Bandit, competes mostly in N.A.D.A.C, is the #2 ACD in Standard agility, #2 ACD in Touch and Go, and the #3 ACD in Tunnelers. We are very proud of him and his handler Robin.

Our philosophy for training is positive reinforcement. We like to shape and bend a dog, not break a dog. You get so much more from your dog when you ask for it in the right way. Lots of treats, toys, and games of tug are some of the many ways that we reward our dogs for a job well done. The dogs only give what the handler asks for. Remember that these are team sports. The team is only as good as it's coach!

We have been successful in AKC Rally, AKC Conformation, and AKC Obedience. Our Cattle Dogs and Border Collie have also done very well in herding. We show Cattle Dogs, but also Border Collies, Irish Setters, and Great Danes. We enjoy showing all our dogs, but again our true love is our ACDs.

We would be glad to help you with your current dog or perhaps a Rescued ACD. We can help you make your dog a good all around pet, friend, companion, or team member. Contact the Rescue at our website, or at Dashing Dogs Agility and Obedience.

To Contact us email: DashingDogsAgility@yahoo.com
Or call 815-530-1749 for Lois / 815-530-1749 for Robin

Jean Nakaert

I have always had dogs for pets but in 1988 I began raising potential guide dogs for Leader Dog School for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan. In the fall of 1996 I began raising puppies for Canine Companions for Independence. Today, approximately two dozen puppies have taught me a lot about canine and human behaviors and communications.

My 5 acres in Marseilles, Illinois is dog heaven in which we have many fenced play areas. My main goal is to create a self-confident dog that understands life isn't always what he/she wants it to be; however good manners will get you more.

I also teach people why their dog does what he/she does, how to build confidence, teamwork, play training, communication, fair leadership, and much, much more. Each dog is unique. I treat them like they are my best friends. Puppy Kindergarten, Beginners Class, Intermediate, Canine Good Citizen, Agility, and Rally-O are taught a couple times each week. Other evenings are spent with dogs coming to play "Off Leash", in a fenced area. A tired dog is a good dog.

My website is www.k9pawprints.com. For more information I can be reached at (815) 252-7484 or at my training facility (815) 795-3859 or email me nakjean@mtco.com

CONTACTS:

Australian Cattle Dog Rescue of Illinois
Post Office Box 53
Texico, Illinois 62889

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