Shawnkara Australian Shepherds & Mini American Shepherds

08/29/2024

A must read…

New RVC research debunks belief that designer crossbreed dogs are healthier than purebreds Published: 28 Aug 2024 | Last Updated: 28 Aug 2024 19:00:24 The RVC has undertaken the world’s largest study into the health of designer crossbreed dogs and revealed that the overall health of three common....

08/27/2024

Somebody got mail today. UKC is a little slow in getting me these. Only took two months. Thank you Jonnie for your training and handling of Perry. Thxs to Alisha Curtis on your help with Sailor.

08/26/2024

You have got to love it! Riot says you entered me in my first akc show. Well then let me dump coat for you. Bikini it is, oh and she dropped 5 pounds. She is definitely not trying to help here. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

08/22/2024

These two I just love. JR the red tri boy, and Jess the blue girl out of Luke and Tyme. We have three major pointed out of this litter. They won’t be two till October. Thx the Critter Photographer for these ring side shots.

08/09/2024

This Masterclass was created specifically for Aussie and Miniature American breeders and judges. Their FCI breed standards are explained in detail, using pho...

07/19/2024

My life right now!

07/16/2024

OFAs on Ty normal and Good. Doc thought they’d go excellent but I’ll take good.

Asca CH. Shawnkaras Ty One On.
He will be hitting akc soon.

07/11/2024

Rebel and Ty got a spa day. Both needed grooming in the worst way. And my backyard shows it.

07/10/2024

For those of you who run fastcat can you tell where you’re buying the machines? Or if you built yours can you help me out?

07/04/2024

Keep your pets safe tonight.

07/02/2024

Please keep your pets safe this 4th of July!

07/01/2024

We will not being having puppies this summer. Abigail is empty.

06/28/2024

Why do people even do paper puppy registration now anymore when everything is online and takes five minutes at the most. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ You can literally add a new buyer within minutes.

06/28/2024

Excellent watch!

When is the right time to start agility training with your puppy? That's a popular question I receive, and I'm sure other world champions also get asked! So...

06/11/2024

Who posted that they have a well rounded MAS based pedigree database?

06/08/2024

Happy Birthday to our sweet Pepper and her siblings Sami, Jewels, and Tenor. They turn two today. Abigail x Icy cross.

06/06/2024

Pepper and Abigail got mail. Asca CH Shawnkaras Old Fashion Girl “Abigail “ owned by myself, and Shawnkaras WildeOak Diamond BN, RA, RN, RNC and now RNX “Pepper” co-owned with Connie Buchanan. You’d think that ASCA could use the same size paper on both so the print fit the paper, but no. And notice the presidents name and signature. Geesh ASCA you could do better!

05/30/2024

"FRIENDLY DOGS"

Well said:

Permission granted to share as long as you credit Jill
Porter/Faithwalk Mini American Shepherds. Written August 2020.

I have been in dogs over 35 years as an adult and have seen a lot of so-called "friendly" dogs. You know the type, the ones dragging their owners up to anyone and everything, while the owner shouts "he just wants to say hi!"

The problem is, most of these "friendly" dogs are in fact rude, have no social skills and rarely listen to their owners while distracted or highly aroused. Their owners lack basic understand of dog behavior and body language. So these dogs terrorize innocent dogs and their owners, often resulting in altercations and possibly fear aggression or reactive behavior in the victim dogs. Leashed dogs can't get away so may be pushed past their limit to NOT react. Dogs who think they HAVE to meet all dogs can be very frustrated when not allowed to, and frustration is the number one cause of aggression in dogs.

Here is the thing. Most dogs don't enjoy meeting other dogs. Read that again. MOST DOGS DON'T ENJOY MEETING OTHER DOGS. Think of it like this, when you are out in public, do YOU rush up to every human you see, get into their personal space and touch them inappropriately, just because you are friendly and want to say "hi"? Wouldn't that be SO inappropriate in our human society, and possibly have a negative outcome?

I have a little analogy I make when counseling my puppy buyers on this topic. Picture yourself shopping for groceries at the store. There will be people you walk past in the aisles without even making eye contact. Maybe you will make eye contact with a few, smile and nod and move on. Maybe you will run into someone you know and will stop to chat for a few minutes. Then when you get to the check out lane, you may have a quick conversation with the cashier. Those are all different levels of social interaction and all are considered socially acceptable in our human society. Yet people often insist their dogs meet and have more physical interactions with EVERY dog they see. It is uncomfortable for most dogs, and even worse when they are on leash. It sets dogs up to fail, to react, to lash out after more subtle body language cues are ignored, and it makes the dog lose trust in you to keep him safe and honor his feelings. If a puppy is involved he learns very inappropriate behaviors at an early age.

Instead of thinking your dog has to meet every other dog he sees, instead teach him to be comfortable seeing other dogs but not meeting, and not reacting. If you meet a dog you already know and with whom your dog has a friendly relationship with, that's different. But leave strange dogs alone. That will go a long way to preventing leash reactivity and aggression! And don't be afraid to nicely but firmly tell others not to let their leashed or worse yet, unleashed dog, approach your leashed dog. Your dog will be more comfortable with you, knowing you have his back. Teach him a "watch me" cue using food to reward him turning his gaze to your face, and practicing a lot at home first. It is a VERY useful thing to have a dog who is well conditioned to pay attention to you before you face distractions. And most of all, change the thinking that dogs have to "love everyone", "be good with all dogs" because neither of those is realistic!

Your dog can have a few friends who are compatible with him, and that will more than meet his social needs. But these are not dogs he meets randomly on the street.

We as owners really need to understand dogs, read their body language and honor them, not try to see them or make them into human "fur kids", since that is not possible anyway.

Permission granted to share as long as you credit Jill Porter/Faithwalk Mini American Shepherds. Written August 2020

05/26/2024

At the ASCU show this morning Jess goes Reserve Winners Bitch. In her bikini under SBJ Rick Gann. Not bad for her first weekend out since she turned 6 months. I love love this girl. Shawnkaras Just In Time. By Luke and Tyme. At 19 months of age.

05/21/2024

We have a new man coming in June. Meet CopperSkys Shawnkara Masterpiece aka Maac

05/21/2024

This boy just keeps surprising me. Did his CHC genetic health panel. He’s completely clear and plus Red Factored wahoo. He’s also NAD clear. Still too young for hips and elbows, but will be pre-limed in the next six months. I’m not a big believer in breeding early so I’m in no hurry. But I love this boy to the moon and back. Thx again to IntegrityAussieTx (Kristen Hargrave) for this boy.

05/20/2024

🤣🤣🤣 wouldn’t you know it. Entered my two youngest dogs for next weekend. And they are both blowing coat badly. So showing bald it is! 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

05/17/2024

Pepper and Connie earned their first Novice Obedience leg today with a 182. Way to go girls!

05/16/2024

Pepper finished earning her RA title in rally in Prescott today. Thx to her co-owner for this new title.

05/03/2024

No love for my boy today. But of well he’s still the besties boy ever!

05/03/2024

Sailors win from yesterday. Integrity's Shawnkara Sailaway Breeder Kristen Hargrave Owner: Myself (age) 10 months. This was his first day of starting his AKC career. Thx to the judge and for Alisha Curtis.

05/02/2024

Omg my Sailor went Reserve Winners Dog at the Wild West Miniature American Shepherd speciality. Being held today in So. Jordan Utah (akc) shows. Holy moly Batman!

05/02/2024

Sailor took reserve winners dog today at the akc show in SJ Utah. Judges says he’s a little fluffy 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ puppy coat. Love love this boy.