Border Collie & stockdog specific

Herding Dogs: Progressive Training
By Vergil Holland
A great book for anyone with any breed who is interested in learning about stockdog work, someone just getting started, or even someone who's been at it a while. Includes very clear explanations and diagrams, common problems with suggested solutions, and ways to "fine tune" a dog when getting ready to trial. Focus is on the work style of Border Collies, but also very suitable for work styles of other herding breeds.

Nop's Trials: A Novel
By Donald McCaig
The story of a Border Collie named Nop, whom is trained for sheepdog trials, but is stolen and has to survive other "life trials." In my opinion, the details of Nop's point of view of events is very plausible as to what working Border Collies might be "thinking."

A Shepherd's Watch: Through the Seasons with One Man and His Dogs
By David Kennard
Awesome real-life account of a hill shepherd in England. Not a book about dog breeding, but the work of Kennard and his dogs as he tends his 800+ flock of sheep underscores how important it is to select Border Collie breeding stock from dogs that can actually do the work.

The Dogs of Windcutter Down: One Shepherd's Struggle for Survival
By David Kennard
The Dogs of Windcutter Down continues the chronicle of David Kennard, his family and dogs at Borough Farm. In this volume, they fight to continue a vanishing way of life.

Crouching - Border Collie Bookmark
Art by Barbara Walker
Cute and fun place markers for your favorite books!

Canine behavior, training, and training "psychology"

Don't Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training
By Karen Pryor
One of my favorite "training" books! Don't Shoot the Dog is NOT a "how-to-train-your-dog" book; rather, it explains the scientific principles of why operant conditioning works so effectively. The method most commonly used for operant conditioning dog behavior is "clicker training."

Clicker Magic (DVD)
By Karen Pryor
"Clicker training" is an animal training method based on behavioral psychology that relies on marking desirable behavior and rewarding it. This DVD shows more than 20 behavior-shaping sessions with four different species and trainers from Karen Pryor herself, to total beginners. The DVD clarifies things about conditioning that may be unclear from reading a book without being able to actually see the technique and timing being described.

Clicker Dog Training Kit ("Getting Started" kit)
By Karen Pryor
Includes Clicker Training for Dogs booklet, an i-Click clicker, a small packet of treats, and "Click-a-Trick" cards, each with a behavior your can teach your dog!

Dog Training Kit Plus
By Karen Pryor
Includes Clicker Magic DVD and Clicker Dog Training Kit together in a cost-saving package.

Translucent Box Clicker (clicker only; Agility/CleanRun.com logo on back)
Classic clicker shape.

i-Click Clicker (clicker only)
By Karen Pryor
A quieter clicker for sound-sensitive dogs.

That Winning Feeling!: Program Your Mind for Peak Performance
By Jane Savoie
An excellent book on setting the stage for success for yourself in training and competition! Jane Savoie has been a member of the United States Equestrian Team at many international events, including the bronze medal-winning Olympic team in Barcelona. The scenarios presented in the book are equestrian, but the techniques very easily translate to dog training and trialing, or even overall well-being in life.

On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals
By Turid Rugaas
"Calming signals" are signals dogs give other dogs and humans that denote stress. These signals are dogs' attempts to defuse situations that the dog senses might result in fights or aggression. A useful book in many circumstances, from training at home to situations where less-obedient dogs may be encountered (such as at dog parks).

Calming Signals: What Your Dog Tells You (DVD)
By Turid Rugaas
As above, with footage to more clearly demonstrate the situations being described, and how we humans can use calming signals to help settle our dogs.

Calming Signals Book and DVD Set
By Turid Rugaas
The book and DVD together in a cost-saving package.

The Other End of the Leash
By Patricia McConnell
Describes how our behavior and body language may be interpreted by dogs, who are very sensitive to body language. It also shows how we can use that sensitivity to our advantage to communicate what we do and don't expect from our dogs.

The Cautious Canine
By Patricia McConnell
A booklet with a lot of great information about developing confidence and overcoming fears in your dog, whether his or her fears are of people, objects, or situations.

Bones Would Rain From the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs
By Suzanne Clothier
The author provides insight into behavioral problems and describes ways to improve communication, mutual respect and trust, while challenging readers to re-examine their own attitudes and discover the joy in a genuine partnership with their dog. Particularly important is the dog's connection to the owner and the ability of the two to communicate effectively. Clothier offers anecdotes about her clients as examples of some common, or not-so-common, behavioral issues.

Crate Games: For Self Control and Motivation (DVD)
By Susan Garrett
Crate Games is much more than teaching a dog to relax and be happy in its crate. Among many other lessons, it explains how to improve your dog's focus and motivation for work; how to work your dog at a distance; and how to teach your dog self-control, rather than imposed control.

Peak Performance: Coaching the Canine Athlete
By M. Christine Zink DVM, PhD
Bring your dog to its highest physical potential by conditioning him or her properly. Appropriate for any canine sport at any level--from the "just-for-fun herding hobbyist" to world-class agility competition. Includes information on structure, movement, and the selection of a performance dog.

Travel gear, supplies, and toys

Cool Puppy Shade Cloth
70% shade factor cools by up to 14 degrees. Open knit construction offers excellent air flow. Won't rot or mildew.

Deluxe Canine First Aid Kit
Over 40 veterinarian recommended emergency items along with 112 page book, Emergency First Aid for Your Dog. Padded and insulated Thermos carrying case.

Backseat Car Organizer
Large capacity central compartment with adjustable dividers, eight outside pockets, dual drink holders. Lid flips up to become a tray; organizer can be used as a cooler. Snaps onto seat belt.

Aquabowl
Carry a gallon of water and a bowl for your dog on hikes, at trials, or at shows without losing a drop. One-piece container and bowl has a built in handle for comfortable carrying.

Amaze-A-Ball
Relief from boredom! Ball has a "maze" inside it; add kibble to one end of the ball and as your dog plays with the ball, the kibble works through the maze to come out the other end. More movement (and less noisy) than other treat-dispensing toys.

Other Cuz Dog Toys
Heavy duty rubber squeaker ball with a funny bounce. The "Other Cuz" has solid legs as an alternative to the Cuz toys, whose hollow feet are just too tempting for many dogs and get chewed off.