GraceRok
Australian Shepherds

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"A beautiful Aussie that is athletic, graceful and sound - built on a solid foundation. That is GraceRok.  Our Aussies are bred to the CKC and ASCA breed standard."

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At Gracerok we enjoy competing in conformation and Rally-obedience, and training in agility and herding. 

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I've had dogs most of my life and fell in love with herding dogs as a teenager.  Aussies have been part of my family and I've loved and competed with them since 2010.  Including my poodle from years ago, as a proud OWNER/HANDLER I've titled a Grand Champion and 7 Champions (and currently have three that are pointed).  Achievements include:

- multiple Best Baby Puppy in Shows

- multiple Best Baby Puppy in Groups

- a Best Puppy in Show

- multiple Best Puppy in Groups

- multiple adult Group wins

- multiple Group placements 

- a BOS in a huge CKC Breed Specialty 

- a class placement (3rd) at ASCA Nationals (with a handler)  

 

I've also put on a total of 19 performance titles on my dogs ranging from Obedience (CD), to Canine Good Neighbour (CGN), to Rally-Obedience (RA), to trick titles and herding instinct certifications!!  We've been busy...just how the Aussies like it...they are a working breed after all and love to have a job to do!

 

Of course, my Aussies are family and companions first and foremost and show dogs second!  They're not kennel dogs, they live in the house with me, some sleep on my bed, and spend most of their time underfoot (literally, lol). I live on an acreage (7 acres) so have lots of space for them to run and play. 

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I believe in species-specific nutrition and give them a mostly raw diet and a high quality kibble. I follow the Jean Dodds, DVM protocol for minimal vaccinations to prevent future issues from over-vaccination.

 

I train my dogs using the most current, marker-based, positive reinforcement training methods that have been proven by science to be effective and humane...and FUN!

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My mission is to share excellent examples of this beautiful, smart and loving breed with like-minded individuals.

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​I am a member in good standing:

• Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)

• Central Ontario Australian Shepherd Club (COASC) - I previously held the position of VP2 on the COASC Board of Directors

• Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)

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I am the founder and organizer of the former 500+ member:

Toronto Australian Shepherd Meetup Group (As of 2021 I stepped away from the group and it has been transitioned to a facebook group:  GTA Australian Shepherd Meetup group.

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Continuing Education:

I am committed to remaining curious, teachable and to continuous learning about dog and puppy raising, humane husbandry techniques, positive training, best feeding, and more!  There are always new and/or different ways to do things and I am eager to keep learning and applying that knowledge for the benefit of my dogs.  In addition to my extensive library of books on dogs/training etc, and ongoing online research, I attend as many educational events as I can:

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2022

• Neonatal Puppy Care Webinar with Dr. Greer - webinars 2 nights

• Good Breeder Annual Health Symposium - webinars | Helping with Whelping - How to Prepare, When to Step In, and When to Seek Help with Dr. Kristina Belton and The Breeding Female and Neonate Care with Dr. Greg Burns

• Breed Standard Review and Comparison (CKC and ASCA) with Gail Karamagelos, online 2.5 hours via COASC

• Best Practices for Neonatal Puppy Care with Dr. Marty Greer | Webinar | Presented by the Canadian Kennel Club, two evenings

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2021

• Good Breeder seminar with Myra Savant Harris - care of neonates

• Australian Shepherd Breed Seminar Series - Nanette Newbury, online 6 weeks: Breed History, Front Angulation, Rear Angulation, Proportions, Breed Standard, Puppy Evaluation

   

2020

• CKC Breeder Seminar - 2 days online

• Handling workshop/seminar w-Emily Burdon 

• Australian Shepherd Grooming Pt 1 and 2 - online AJ Tavares w- The Grooming Land

• Good Breeder - online webinar with Dr. Hutchinson, DVM w- Good Dog

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2019

• The Puppy Culture DVD set The Powerful First 12 Weeks That Can Shape Your Puppy's Future

 

2018

• How to Groom the Australian Shepherd - online Moira Cornell

• Show to Win - online Moira Cornell

• Puppy Puzzle DVD set - Pat Hastings approach to evaluating the structural quality of puppies

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2017

• All day force-free sheep herding workshop with Kynic Stockdogs

• Conformation handling seminar with Will Alexander - post dog show in Ontario

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2016

• Breed mentoring seminar through COASC with Heather Herron and Ann DeChant

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2015

• Handle it Right!  Agility handling Regionals prep series with Dante Comacho

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2014

• Conformation Handling with Bob Rowbotham

• Herding Clinic (Sheep and Geese) at TeeCreek Dog Training Center with Kathy Warner

• Breeding Better Dogs with Dr. Carmen Battaglia

 

2012

• Understanding Canine Body Language at PawsWay Toronto