Heeler blocks me when I try to move around the house.

You may not be a dog person, but you have good instincts.  Yes, the dog is doing a little passive aggressive maneuver with you.  Next time he does it, check out whether he's looking at you, or not looking.  If he's looking at you, proceed with caution in your interaction with the dog.  Avoid confrontation but keep a positive attitude.  If he knows commands, simply ask for a "sit", gently praise or give a treat, and pass.

If he's not looking, he's in a better place in his head and he's basically just looking to see whether you are noticing him.  Say something to him like, "What are you doing?" cross your arms, back up a step or so while you stand taller, and stare at the spot on the floor just under his front paws.  Give him a second to react in some way, even if it's just to glance at you in confusion, then ask for a sit and pass.

In either case, this dog needs something called Nothing in Life is Free.  There's a good summary of it here.  This dog has lost the privilege of total freedom.  For a while, you and your partner need to work together to ensure that the rules of NILIF are followed to avoid further escalation of the uneasy relationship between you and this dog.

The good news is, besides the fact that you DO have what you need, naturally, to get along and even enjoy this dog in the future - you will learn a lot about turning "faults" into "strengths."  It's exactly the thing that makes this dog make a move like this, that you probably will learn to appreciate in the future - loyalty, cleverness, confidence, restraint, and strong people interaction skills.

By the way, I'm dealing with this with my own youngster Lynn whom I raised from a pup, so it is not necessarily that you are "new" or that he "dislikes" you - he's just used to making decisions like this for himself, I imagine. 

Sounds deliberate to me.  I assume this is a new relationship.

 What I would do is gently push yoru heeler out of your way.  I always say "excuse me" which at my house is the informal "out" which means go away or get out of the way.

Be non chalant about it, but let him know that you are the one with opposable thumbs and he is not to block your way.  No need to be ugly or mean or hasty...simply move him out of the way.  Different from walking around him in your case...you need to send a message.

You should start working with the dog as well to show him you are higher on the food chain.  Spend some time with him putting him in a sit then praise and treat.  After he gets used to you doing this...if he still continues to block you, start putting him in a sit, and go on your way.  If the dog has a release command...say it after you have passed him.  If you are interested...it would be a good idea to feed him too using NILIF (nothing in life is free).

Good luck!

 My BF has a  blue heeler, who will sometimes do this. I'm the boss, so when I say "excuse Me" he moves. I wouldn't recommend moving him physically until you have made sure he knows your the boss.

tiffy

 My BF has a  blue heeler, who will sometimes do this. I'm the boss, so when I say "excuse Me" he moves. I wouldn't recommend moving him physically until you have made sure he knows your the boss.

Neither would I, and that's why Becca's advice makes such sense.  It's one thing to do the "excuse me" thing with a puppy, and that would be ok, but with a dog that you don't know, and may not be reading that well (some dogs can be nasty if you physically challenge them), then I would proceed with caution.  I always tell my students to "think leadership, not domination".  NILIF doesn't have to be unpleasant.  I start out feeding a dog by hand for a week to make me more important (as a controller of resources).  During that time, BF shouldn't feed or give treats.  If the dog has to depend on you, he will not be so inclined to think you are unimportant, or controllable.

 I should say that I have been around this dog on a daily basis since he was 6 mo. old. Hes now 9, so he definitely knows that I'm the boss. He can be very standoffish with unknown people, so I recommend establishing that your the boss right away.

I wouldn't reccomend physically moving a heeler that may not be bonded to you and may not accept you as dominant over him. You MIGHT get nailed. ACD's are VERY loyal with their people. While they are not typically aggressive, they can be stand offish, (or plain not care if you even exist) They also like to test the limits of everything and everyone. These dogs were bred to drive wild cattle in hard country. They are smart, have great problem solving abilities. Most of all they like to get their way and win. If you push this dog, while a bite may not be an aggressive act per say. But rather just the dog stepping up the intensity because you challenged him.

You stated that you are not a dog person and that is okay. They are not for everyone. But you are married to someone that owns this dog.

I would reccomend a few things. YOU start feeding the dog, enact a NILIF (nothing in life is free) rule within the household, and do some obedienc training with the dog. I would also be straight with your spouse. Tell them your issues and ask for their help. If they have been a long time Heeler owner, they should have a good idea about how to get into this dogs head.

 I am on my second marriage (its great btw.... took two tries but I got it right this time) My wife IS a dog person. But not a life long dog person. Her current Lab mix, is her first dog. She is also has a very soft nurturing nature (Hospice Social Worker) When she moved in with me, she brought her Lab and two cats. I had my ACD Bandit. He was constantly passively challenging her. Seeing if he could get her to move. (he could) Crowding her space on the couch (He was not even allowed on the couch when I was home) etc etc.... He was very well trained. So I did the above things..... They worked. He never seemed to hold her in  the same light as me. But he obeyed her pretty well and ceased his pushy behavior. Bandit is now gone and Merlin has entered our world. We go through some of the same things. Merlin is young and constantly testing his limits. We do the same things.