Winnie & April

I wasn’t expecting that 🥹 A few weeks ago, we entered into the K9 SuperWall event at the Spring Creek Dock Diving Club Series. Because she had zero experience, we booked in for a practice session before the official comp. She gave it a red hot crack and exceeded my expectations (like always), but we got stuck around the 7’6” mark and couldn’t quite crack it… Despite this, and despite being the smallest dog in the open division, Winnie managed to tie for first place and climb an incredible 8’1” - officially becoming the highest-scoring Australian Cattle Dog in SuperWall history 😭 Because of one earlier miss, the final results came down to a countback, and we officially placed second 🥈 I’ve said it before, but this dog teaches me more than I could ever teach her. She throws herself at every challenge I set her, without even a hint of hesitation ❤️ I’ll never get over watching this tiny, gritty cattle dog achieve things I never would have dreamed possible for her. To say I’m proud is a big bloody understatement 💕 @K9 Superwall Downunder #k9superwall #superwall #australiancattledog #dogsportsaustralia #dogsports #redheeler

Surprising my dog at work 🥹 #australiancattledog #redheeler #cattledog #heeler #workingdogs #farmdogs

😩😩 Sending so much love to those who have lost their best friend 🤍

Fallin, dreaminnn ✨ #redheeler #redcattledog #australiancattledog

I can’t decide on a favourite 🥹 #redheeler #australiancattledog #heeler #heelergram #heelerlove #cattledogs #dogsoftiktok #doglife

Yeah no 😂 #australiancattledog #redheeler #redcattledog #heeler #cattledog #acd

If herding dogs were people, they would be the creeps of society 😂 Lately online, I’ve been seen a lot of the same phrases repeated - “give your herding dog an outlet and it will stop stalking, being reactive, etc…”. I am a MASSIVE advocate for providing breed specific fulfilment. You need to fulfil the physical and mental needs of your dog. But this cookie cutter messaging is too simplistic and does not reflect reality. Just because a herding dog is stalking doesn’t mean it’s lacking an outlet. Most of the dogs in this video works stock all day, every day - and guess what? They still come home and stalk the cat, toys, each other - just as much (if not more) than those who are failed working dogs/pets. Outlets are essential, but they don’t cancel out genetics. These dogs were bred to control movement - it’s hardwired. Fulfilment can help those behaviours become manageable and healthy. But fulfilment doesn’t always look like the absence of instinctual behaviour - it doesn’t erase them. And it shouldn’t be expected to. This is why breed selection that is compatible with your lifestyle matters so much. If you’re not prepared with the possibility of living with and managing with those traits inside and outside of a working context, a herding dog probably isn’t the right fit. They are bloody incredible dogs, aren’t they? 😍 #herdingdog #dogstalk #stalkingdog #herdingbreed #australiancattledog #kelpies #collies #workingdoglife #breedmatters

Are you satisfying your dog’s instincts? 💪 On top of species enrichment, breed specific enrichment is often a core part of overall behavioural wellbeing for herding dogs. According to Temple Grandin, behaviours are driven by emotion. It’s not always as simple as “giving them a job”, it’s about creating activities that replicate the emotional and functional outcome their genes expect. For herding breeds, it’s a desire to control movement (observe → influence → resolve). Herding breeds do this by expressing predatory motor patterns such as stalking, chasing, and nipping/biting to achieve control - but there is variation in the biological pathways in which they choose to accomplish control. Different herding breeds have been selectively bred to emphasise specific parts of the hunting sequence more than others. For example, ACDs, which were developed to manage tough, stubborn cattle, tend to show strong grab-bite behaviours. In contrast, breeds like Kelpies and Collies have a more exaggerated stalk and eye, with a reduced tendency toward the biting or killing phases. A lack of appropriate outlets (like structured training, play, or herding activities) won’t always cause problems on its own. But it can decrease capacity to control impulses, tolerate frustration, or engage in learning in other areas of their life. Knowing your dog’s breed and individual traits (and therefore their natural working style and behaviours) will help you pick or adapt games and activities that suit them best. So how do you figure out exactly what fulfils your individual dog or herder? You observe what lights them up, and creates engagement, satisfaction, and emotional resolution - not just a panting tongue! It’s not about doing everything perfectly - and you don’t need to live on a farm to do it. It’s about understanding your individual dog - their species, their breed, and them as an individual - and designing a life that speaks to them 🐾 What breed specific games or activities does your dog find fulfilling? 💬 #breedspecificfulfilment #dogoutlet #canineenrichment #herdingdogs #workingdogs

That about sums it up 😂 #australiancattledog #redheeler #blueheeler #cattledog #redcattledog #heeler

Road trip prep w/ a dog! 🐶🚗 seat cover from our small biz @apawlopets 💙 code TIKTOK10  #dogroadtrip #dogcarseatcover #doglover #carseatcover #dogseatcover #doghammock

Absolutely unstoppable 🥹 #australiancattledog #redheeler #fastdog #fitdog #farmdog #dogrun #dogrunning #dogrunningfast #dogsprint

Pure joy ❤️‍🔥 #australiancattledog #redheeler #cattledog #redcattledog #dogrunning #dogsprinting #sprintdog #australiansunset

Say hello to foster #14, Beans 🥹✨ What breed mix do you think he is? We have our guesses… 👀 but I would love to know your thoughts below! 👇 #fosterpuppy #fosterpup #newfoster