Educate Your Herding Breed to Be a Nice Companion Canine: From Obsessive to Excellent Paperback – Illustrated, June 3, 2015

Winner of the DWAA 2015 Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Book, this guide addresses a common challenge faced by owners of herding breeds: instinctive behaviours such as herding children, chasing cars or bikes, nipping at heels, and excessive barking. Breeds like Border Collies, Corgis, and Australian Shepherds were originally bred to control livestock, and these instincts often surface even when they are kept as family pets in suburban environments.

While these behaviours are essential for managing sheep or cattle, they can be problematic in modern neighbourhoods. Fortunately, the book provides practical strategies to redirect these instincts into positive outlets that keep dogs engaged and out of trouble. Activities such as agility training, obedience trials, retrieving games, and running can help channel their energy productively.

Author Dawn Antoniak-Mitchell offers clear solutions for preventing and addressing problem behaviors associated with herding breeds today. The book is praised for its accessible writing style and comprehensive advice on working with a dog’s natural instincts rather than against them.

Experts in dog training commend the resource for its clear explanations of instinctive behavior impacts on daily life and its actionable training tips. The book combines management strategies with psychological insights to help owners understand their dogs better while providing practical advice—such as how to curb nuisance barking.

For anyone living or working with herding breeds—or any breed prone to similar behaviors—this book serves as an invaluable resource. It not only explores the history behind these unique traits but also equips readers with exercises that foster a strong bond between owner and dog.