Working Sheep Dogs
A practical Guide to breeding, training and handling
WORKING SHEEP DOGS
A Practical Guide to Breeding, Training and Handling
By Tully Williams
280 pages. 248 x 170 mm. Publisher: Landlinks press (CSIRO Publishing) ISBN 978064309430
Just cannot thank you enough
Hi Tully, I purchased your book just prior to picking up my Kelpie, she is now just over 2 years old.
I work in the city and to this day I still carry your book in my bag and most days I will flick through different chapters and it's amazing how things spring into your head when a mistake is made I ask myself "what would Tully say". I just cannot thank you enough for a book that can be read by the most experienced handler or the complete novice like me and learn.
This book should be like pedigree papers and given to everybody to read it as there is real information in that book that will help regardless of your experience. A mate of mine has a copy and often we find ourselves asking questions when something goes wrong, we always refer back to the "Tully bible". I hope I am not bothering you but just want you to know what your book has done to us."
A depth of knowledge you won’t find just anywhere.
Tully’s book 'Working Sheep Dogs' is a bit like having a veteran stockman sitting at your kitchen table, yarning away about dogs. It’s a true encyclopaedia for anyone who wants to get it right — from choosing a pup with the right traits, to breeding smarter, and putting in the hard yards to make a handy, reliable worker. Tully knows dogs inside and out — how they tick, what traits come through, and how to bring the best out in them in a way that sticks. There’s a depth of knowledge in these pages you won’t find just anywhere. It’s a book you’ll keep going back to, whether you’re a young bush worker starting out or someone who’s been at it for years.
Toonooba Working Dogs
Jessie is brilliant thanks to your wonderful book!
Hi Tully, this is our dog Jessie 7 months old. My husband has followed your working with dogs book and we can’t thank you enough. Jessie is brilliant thanks to your wonderful book! Thank you.
Sensible and insightful
I love this book. I think anyone breeding, or training stock dogs should read it.
THE book I’ve been needing for years…my BOOK OF BOOKS!
Finally I've found THE book I've been needing for years! I am really starting to understand in detail what herding instinct and ability really means, how sheep behave as a group of prey animals, and how to think about sheepdog training and especially breeding. This remains my BOOK OF BOOKS in my brand new shepherd's life!
Learn what natural instincts a good herding dog should have
This book will teach you all the traits a dog should have without being trained. It will let you be able to pick a pup from a litter that has a good temperament. I give this book a five star rating.
Wonderful book!
My very favorite herding how-to book.
A treasure of great information – you won’t regret buying this book
Anyone serious about breeding and/or training better dogs must get this book.
A treasure of great information.
You won't regret buying this book.
It’s fantastic…has changed my views so much
Hi Tully, I just wanted to let you know I received your fantastic DVD and book last week. Your DVD is by far the most in depth discussion on natural ability and instinct I have ever come across! I am thoroughly enjoying it, and it's so nice to purchase something like this that isn't over within the hour! I am almost half way through your book and am about ready to start at the beginning again! There is just so much to take in it's fantastic! The little bit I have read has changed my views so much on how I look at my dogs.
One of the best, most insightful books on working stock dogs I have read!
This is one of the best, most insightful books on working stock dogs I have read! It would be useful for training a dog, as well as what to look for in breeding good working dogs. I very much appreciated Mr. Williams' detailed descriptions of the traits that go into making a good, independent working stock dog. He describes them, and talks about how they interact in a dog. He also gives practical advice for training a working dog. I found it very helpful.
An OUTSTANDING piece of work…destined to become a classic in its field
I saw this book advertised in the last newsletter so I thought I would have a look. I am glad I did, it's a wee beaut!
This is an OUTSTANDING piece of work in both the quantity; there is barely a wasted sentence, and the quality of the information it contains. An Aussie book, (no Huntaways sorry), it focuses on breeding good quality heading types (although most of the principles apply to any breed of sheepdog). The first seventy odd pages consists mainly of critical assessment of temperament, natural abilities and intelligence, including the good and not so good. This is followed by twenty or so pages devoted to breeding and selection for breeding and likely outcomes from certain choices. I think it is in these two sections that this book excels and stands alone.
Some 265 pages long, this is an information dense book, well-written and laid out. It requires careful reading because of the intensity of the information. The remaining pages contain excellent ideas regarding training, training psychology, rearing, stockwork and trials. It includes clear line drawings and a few photographs. The training section is very detailed and focuses considerably on training the trainer and gaining insight in this area. This is high value information for those prepared to take the time to understand it. There is a strongly critical tone throughout this book which is really urging us to take more care in the breeding and handling of these outstanding work mates. It is presented in a solid and informative way by a young but clearly experienced man, of great integrity.
In his analytical and passionate approach he is is deeply concerned about the decline in quality of sheepdogs in his own backyard. And it is a very big back yard. I think this book is destined to become a classic in its field. For those of you who value quality books on this subject, BUY ONE NOW!!
A whole new approach to breeding, training and handling farm dogs
Working Sheep Dogs is not simply a manual on how to train a working animal, but provides a whole new approach to breeding, training and handling farm dogs.
One of the best training books I have
Congratulations on a wonderfully informative Working Sheep Dog book. I have just purchased it and feel it is one of the best training books I have.
A truly exceptional book…the painstaking obsession of brilliance
It's been a while since I came across a truly exceptional book on breeding. And this was the last thing I expected from a technical manual on working sheepdogs... This book was a joy to read. Williams' detailed research and fine insights reveal the painstaking obsession of brilliance.
Most educational and informative
Dear Tully, I would like to congratulate you on your book "Working Sheep Dogs" as I found it most educational and informative and wish you every success in improving the standard of the sheep dog. These books and DVD's that you are providing can only help educate people who don't have the experience or knowledge to know what a good dog is. Wishing you every success in your aim to improve the standard of the dogs and their owners.
A seminal book on the subject
Man's best friend can also be one of man's best workers. "Working Sheep Dogs: A Practical Guide to Breeding, Training, and Handling" is a comprehensive handbook to raising and training one's sheep dogs to serve their tasks. Covering every aspect of raising and educating a dog in terms that one doesn't need to be a veterinarian to understand, "Working Sheep Dogs" is a seminal book on the subject.
The finest book written on the selection, breeding, training and handling of working dogs
In my opinion this is the finest book written on the selection, breeding, training and handling of working dogs. It has been written by a very knowledgeable person with a great deal of passion to breed and train good working dogs – Tully Williams.
I came across this book which was advertised on the CSIRO web site, and since I had just lost my border collie due to illness and was looking for another dog, I decided to purchase this book on the expectation that it may contain information that would help me in the selection and training of my new dog. It certainly has done just that. I followed the author’s suggestion to read through the working instincts once fairly quickly, then re-read it again – this way one gains an overall picture of what the author’s terminology is all about.
Tully Williams has lain down the gauntlet to breeders to breed good dogs with natural ability, to assist farmers in their daily tasks and not to breed only for dog trials.
This book is a MUST for every working dog breeder, trainer and farmer.
It is an undeniable fact that most modern working dogs are inferior to their illustrious ancestors. However, this unique handbook seems certain to help remedy this state of affairs. Written from the perspective of the professional Australian stockman, it examines and illuminates every aspect of the high-quality working dog.
Working Sheep Dogs provides the most detailed and unique discussion of the principles behind the training of working dogs ever published. It reveals little known methods and secrets for training and handling dogs in the most effortless manner.
Also, and perhaps most importantly, the author undertakes the ambitious task of providing the first and only comprehensive breakdown and analysis of the instincts of the working dog, and goes on to discuss various principles and methods of their breeding.
Also included are chapters on sheep dog trials and their judging methods and shortcomings, and why and how these need to be modified in order to encourage the breeding of better dogs.
In short, no working dog owner, breeder, or trainer can afford to be without it.
Features
– A unique detailed breakdown and analysis of the instincts and traits of the working dog, border collie or kelpie
– The most in depth discussion of the theory and practice of breeding working dogs yet published
– A comprehensive analysis of the principles behind training dogs and handling stock
– Many new or little-known training tips that allow dogs to be trained in a much shorter time and more effectively
– The only current and detailed analysis of sheep dog trials and their judging methods, and how the trials’ shortcomings can be improved in order to assist in breeding better practical working dogs
