Big Behaviours

Herding breeds like Border Collies, German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent, sensitive dogs bred to react quickly to movement and environmental changes. In this guide, Canine Connections Teesside explains why herding breeds are more prone to reactive behaviour, common triggers to watch for, and how the right training, enrichment and support can help reactive dogs become calmer and more confident.

Not every barking or lunging dog is simply “badly behaved.” In this article, we explore the common signs of reactivity, why dogs react, behaviours that are often misunderstood and the first steps owners can take to start improving neutrality and focus.