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The 5 Best Training Books for Blue Heelers & Other Herding Breeds

April 28, 2022 By Ben Ro Leave a Comment

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If you’re looking for a few great training books to help out with raising your Blue Heeler, stick around!  Below, we’ll take a look at some general training books for herding dogs, along with one or two Blue Heeler-specific ones. We’ll talk a bit about WHY I picked these books before we get into their individual reviews. 

Best Blue Heeler Dog Training Books at a Glance

In a rush and don’t have time to read all of my reviews? Here’s a quick peek at my favorites. FYI, this post includes affiliate links. If you buy anything through them, DogVills earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We thank you for your support!

Preview
Top Pick
Zak George's Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog: Proven Solutions to the Most Common Training Problems for All Ages, Breeds, and Mixes
The Power of Positive Dog Training
The Complete Guide to Australian Cattle Dogs: Finding, Training, Feeding, Exercising and Keeping Your ACD Active, Stimulated, and Happy
101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (Dog Tricks and Training)
Teach Your Herding Breed To Be A Great Companion Dog - From Obsessive To Outstanding
Title
Zak George's Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog: Proven Solutions to the Most Common Training Problems for All Ages, Breeds, and Mixes
The Power of Positive Dog Training
The Complete Guide to Australian Cattle Dogs: Finding, Training, Feeding, Exercising and Keeping Your ACD Active, Stimulated, and Happy
101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (Dog Tricks and Training)
Teach Your Herding Breed To Be A Great Companion Dog - From Obsessive To Outstanding
Price
$9.99
$18.99
$9.99
$9.99
$9.95
Buy it on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Top Pick
Preview
Zak George's Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog: Proven Solutions to the Most Common Training Problems for All Ages, Breeds, and Mixes
Title
Zak George's Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog: Proven Solutions to the Most Common Training Problems for All Ages, Breeds, and Mixes
Price
$9.99
Buy it on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Preview
The Power of Positive Dog Training
Title
The Power of Positive Dog Training
Price
$18.99
Buy it on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Preview
The Complete Guide to Australian Cattle Dogs: Finding, Training, Feeding, Exercising and Keeping Your ACD Active, Stimulated, and Happy
Title
The Complete Guide to Australian Cattle Dogs: Finding, Training, Feeding, Exercising and Keeping Your ACD Active, Stimulated, and Happy
Price
$9.99
Buy it on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Preview
101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (Dog Tricks and Training)
Title
101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (Dog Tricks and Training)
Price
$9.99
Buy it on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Preview
Teach Your Herding Breed To Be A Great Companion Dog - From Obsessive To Outstanding
Title
Teach Your Herding Breed To Be A Great Companion Dog - From Obsessive To Outstanding
Price
$9.95
Buy it on Amazon
Buy on Amazon

What You Need to Know About Choosing the Best Blue Heeler Training Books

Finding a useful training book for specific breeds is more difficult than you might imagine. Authors are rather sneaky with how they sell these books. In many cases, they’ll write ONE general training book, then slap something like “Blue Heelers” somewhere in the title. They’ll do it again with another breed, and another, and so on.

It’s a very common practice that can cause dog owners with more challenging breeds a lot of problems. 

But don’t worry, there’s some good news. It’s easy to tell when one of these general training books is being offered as a breed-specific guide. You just need to click on the author’s Amazon bio and look at what they’re selling.

If you notice a pattern about it being the same book every time, but with a different breed, it’s time to disregard that training book.  

What to Look for In LEGIT Dog Training Books

Our previous section raises the question of what to watch out for when you’re searching for a breed-specific training book. If you shouldn’t search by breed, though, then what SHOULD you look for?

First, I’d suggest using keywords based on Blue Heeler’s personality traits. Try searching for training books about teaching independent, energetic, herding, or stubborn dogs. 

PuppySpot

Blue Heeler owners should also avoid any training book that advocates dominant training methods. These tactics won’t mesh with this breed and aren’t what a dog owner should be doing. Honestly, those tactics don’t work well with ANY breed. Multiple studies show that “alpha” or “dominance” training methods do more harm than good.

You instead want training books that focus on using positive reinforcement techniques. It’s a much more successful and fun way of teaching your Blue Heeler. 

Last, but definitely far from least, choose books that are authored by actual dog training experts. Anyone can write a training book and self-publish it on Amazon. That doesn’t make them an expert. Again, the author’s bio will tell you a lot about their experience. A quick Google search of their name should also give you a good idea of whether or not they’re legit.

Now that you know what makes up good Blue Heeler training books, it’s time to look at a few.

The 5 Best Blue Heeler Training Books

When available, I included a preview of the Kindle version of each book so you can check out the excerpt right here. Just click on “Free Preview” to read it.

1. Zak George’s Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog

I am a HUGE fan of Zak George’s positive training methods! Technically, the methods in this book apply to all breeds, but they should help you curb any common training problems.

Some of the issues he covers include barking, aggression, begging, and separation anxiety. Given these topics, it shouldn’t be much surprise that the book has a known reputation for working well with Blue Heelers. 

According to expert veterinarian Dr. John Ciribassi, “Zak George takes his dedication to humane and effective dog training from the screen to the written page. His techniques for managing common training problems are spot-on.”

By the way, if you’re looking for more in-depth knowledge about his training methods, George has an excellent YouTube channel.

Zak George's Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog: Proven Solutions to the Most Common Training Problems for All Ages, Breeds, and Mixes
Zak George's Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog: Proven Solutions to the Most Common Training Problems for All Ages, Breeds, and Mixes
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • George, Zak (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 224 Pages - 07/09/2019 (Publication Date) - Ten Speed Press (Publisher)
$9.99
Buy on Amazon

2. The Power of Positive Dog Training

If you want to use your dog’s training as a bonding experience, you’ll love this next book. Pat Miller, the founder of Peaceable Paws Dog & Puppy Training Center, details several positive training techniques to ensure mutual respect is built between you and your pup.

One of my favorite quotes from the book really just says everything you need to know about her methods. She writes, “Open your eyes, your mind, and your heart. Sign on the dotted line of your canine social contract, make a commitment to having fun, and get ready to discover your dog. That’s the power of positive dog training.”

The Power of Positive Dog Training goes through all of the basics you’ll need to know to successfully train your Heeler. She also gives you a great guide to understanding your pup’s body language so you can forge a deeper and more meaningful bond. Miller goes step-by-step to help you phase out treats and clickers once your dog learns commands.

The Power of Positive Dog Training
The Power of Positive Dog Training
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Miller, Pat (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 393 Pages - 03/15/2012 (Publication Date) - Howell Book House (Publisher)
$18.99
Buy on Amazon

 

3. The Complete Guide to Australian Cattle Dogs

Our next book is an Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) specific resource. I know I said most of these books are junk, but this one has received glowing reviews from several ACD owners.

Many of these buyers were impressed by its detailed discussions on several topics: ACD health, house training, preparing your home for an ACD’s arrival, basic command training, and much more.

In other words, Tarah Schwartz’s book does a great covering all the Blue Heeler basics. It’s a perfect resource for anyone who intends on getting a new Blue Heeler in the near future. 

All that said, a quick Google search and a glance at Schwartz’s author bio tell us that she’s not an expert dog trainer. So, I’d buy this one as an “extra” for a little more insight into the breed, and not as my main training book.

The Complete Guide to Australian Cattle Dogs: Finding, Training, Feeding, Exercising and Keeping Your ACD Active, Stimulated, and Happy
The Complete Guide to Australian Cattle Dogs: Finding, Training, Feeding, Exercising and Keeping Your ACD Active, Stimulated, and Happy
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Schwartz, Tarah (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 273 Pages - 12/02/2019 (Publication Date) - LP Media Inc. (Publisher)
$9.99
Buy on Amazon

4. The Most Amazing Silly Dog Tricks

Any Blue Heeler owners looking to teach their dogs some advanced tricks will love this book. Kyra Sundance’s a known stunt dog show performer and world-renowned dog training book author. I think it’s fair to say she knows a bit about training even the most stubborn dog some cool tricks.

You’ll learn how to train your dog to do household chores, jump over hurdles & through hoops, run an obstacle course, and so much more. Don’t worry your dog still hasn’t mastered the basics, though. Sundance starts with basic tricks such as sitting, fetching, and rolling over before she jumps into the really fun stuff!

The best part is each command comes with a step-by-step process. Sundance makes sure anyone reading her book can quickly grasp how to teach their dog various tricks. 

101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (Dog Tricks and Training)
101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog (Dog Tricks and Training)
  • Quayside Publishing-Quarry Books: 101 Dog Tricks
  • Engage Challenge And Bond With Your Dog! Each Trick Is Rated With A Difficulty Rating And Prerequisites To Get You Started Quickly
  • This Book Contains Full Color Step-By-Step Photos For 101 Tricks
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Sundance, Kyra (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 906 Pages - 04/01/2007 (Publication Date) - Quarry Books (Publisher)
$9.99
Buy on Amazon

5. Teach Your Herding Breed to Be a Great Companion Dog

Our last book tackles training herding breeds on how to be better companion dogs. As you may know, Blue Heelers and other herding dogs often have issues with socialization. 

Plus, as their name implies, they’re literally born and bred to herd. When they can’t satisfy that urge by rounding up sheep, cattle, and other farm animals, they’ll try to herd your kids, cats, other dogs…and even YOU!

Nothing can completely override those instincts. However, Dawn Antoniak-Mitchell’s book teaches you how to curb these herding behaviors enough to make make sure your dog park visits aren’t a complete and utter nightmare. 

The book also provides a glimpse into a herding dog’s mind. In other words, it’ll help you understand why your Blue Heeler might be acting in a certain way. You can then use this information to help perfect your training methods.

I hope one of these books becomes a useful resource in your training routine. If you can only buy one, I’d go for the Zak George or the Pat Miller book. While neither is specifically a Blue Heeler training book, they’re both loaded with everything you need to know to teach your pup the basics.

Do you have any favorite dog training books for Blue Heelers or other herding breeds? Share below!

Author

  • Ben Ro
    Ben Ro

    My name is Ben Roberts, and I’ve been writing about animals for many years. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a much better job, considering I’ve been around animals all my life. I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t at least one cat or dog inside my home. Currently, I’m a proud owner of a Beagle and a Pitbull who make sure my life is never dull.

    View all posts

Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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