Border Collies: The Dominator of Dog Sports
7 min read

Border Collies: The Dominator of Dog Sports

3 Common German Shepherd Behaviour Problems (And How To Fix Them)

Remember: Your German Shepherd was bred to be intelligent, loyal, and protective. The same genetics that make them exceptional working dogs and devoted family guardians also create challenges that need understanding, not punishment.

Where Do German Shepherds Come From?

The German Shepherd was developed in Germany in the late 1800s by Captain Max von Stephanitz. He wanted to create the ultimate working and herding dog. Von Stephanitz admired the intelligence and strength of local shepherding dogs. His breeding programme emphasised utility, intelligence, and loyalty above appearance.

What were they bred to do?

  • Herd and guard livestock
  • Remain highly responsive to human direction
  • Work as police and military dogs
  • Make independent protection decisions
  • Serve as guardians and service companions

Key breeding traits: The breed combines strength, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty. They are structured, confident, and driven. They have strong protective instincts balanced by deep devotion to their families. Their keen senses, physical power, and problem-solving ability make them one of the most capable working breeds in existence.

Why Do German Shepherds Have These Behaviour Problems?

Your German Shepherd's behaviour issues aren't failures. They're working dog genetics showing up in family life.

German Shepherds were bred to make independent decisions about threats and protection. They were designed to work in close partnership with a single handler for police and military work. This created intense one-person bonding genetics and a strong drive to protect.

Their herding instinct makes them want to keep "their flock" (your family) together at all times. Their hypervigilance and protection drive mean they're constantly assessing threats. In modern life, this shows up as overprotective behaviour, separation anxiety, and reactivity on walks.

Problem 1: Overprotective Behaviour & Territorial Aggression

What's happening: Your German Shepherd barks at strangers, guards you or the house excessively, or shows aggression to people approaching.

Why it happens: Bred specifically for guarding and protection work with a genetic tendency to identify threats proactively. Their herding background adds a "control the perimeter" instinct, making them naturally suspicious of strangers. They were designed to make independent protection decisions, not wait for permission.

The fix:

  • Think of arousal on a scale: 0 is calm, 10 is crazy. When your dog is above 6-7, you can't get through to them.
  • If they bark when someone approaches, calmly acknowledge it once by saying "thank you" (don't raise your voice).
  • If they continue, greet the person and acknowledge your dog again.
  • If alerting continues, immediately place them in a separate room for 5 minutes calmly.
  • Only let them out after 30 seconds of calm.
  • If they're overprotective when sitting, the person they're protecting must move them to another room immediately. This behaviour escalates quickly.
  • Don't allow your dog on the couch without asking. If they space invade, continually move them away.

Struggling with a German Shepherd who's too protective? Our Skool community has weekly live Q&A sessions where you can show us your specific situation and get personalised advice on managing overprotective behaviour before it escalates.

Problem 2: Separation Anxiety & Velcro Behaviour

What's happening: Your German Shepherd follows you everywhere, becomes distressed when you leave, or won't settle when you're home.

Why it happens: Bred to work in close partnership with a single handler for police and military work, creating intense one-person bonding genetics. Their herding instinct makes them want to keep their flock together at all times. Being separated from their person triggers stress because their entire breeding purpose was staying with and protecting their handler.

The fix:

  • Practice mini-departures throughout the day, starting with just 20 seconds.
  • Return without any greeting, eye contact, or touching for 5 full minutes until they're completely calm. You must wait them out.
  • Never make departures dramatic by only picking up keys and putting on shoes when leaving.
  • Do these actions randomly throughout the day to desensitise the cues.
  • Practice 20-30 mini-departures on weekends with very short absences (even just to your car and back).
  • When you return home and they're excited, freeze completely. No movement, speaking, or acknowledgment until they settle to a calm state.
  • You cannot exercise separation anxiety away, but sufficient mental and physical stimulation helps.

Does your German Shepherd panic when you leave? Join our community for video demonstrations showing exactly how to practise mini-departures, plus troubleshooting help when your specific situation isn't improving.

Problem 3: Reactivity on Leash

What's happening: Your German Shepherd barks, lunges, or becomes aggressive towards other dogs or people whilst on the lead.

Why it happens: Their protection drive and hypervigilance make them intensely aware of everything around them whilst on the lead. The lead creates "trapped" frustration because they feel responsible for protecting you but have limited ability to increase distance from perceived threats. In their mind, they can't flee and you're not acting, so they must escalate to barking and lunging to create distance.

The fix:

  • Master the walk from your doorway. Don't step outside until your dog sits calmly whilst you attach the lead.
  • If they pull toward the door, turn and walk back inside without a word. Remove the lead and wait 10 minutes before trying again.
  • During walks, use the Stop, Start and Change Direction method. When you feel tension, stop and calmly walk them in a figure 8 pattern.
  • Front-attach harnesses provide mechanical advantage (not a magic cure, but helpful).
  • Learn structured versus unstructured walks with "walk" and "go free" commands. This won't work if you haven't established control at home first.

Dreading walks because your German Shepherd is reactive? Our Calm Walking Blueprint course in the Skool community breaks this down step-by-step, and you can ask questions in live sessions about your specific reactivity challenges.

Is a German Shepherd Right for a New Owner?

A German Shepherd can be an excellent choice if you're looking for certain qualities.

An exceptionally intelligent dog - German Shepherds are one of the most intelligent breeds in existence. They learn quickly, solve problems, and thrive on mental challenges. If you want a dog who genuinely thinks, German Shepherds excel at this.

A loyal, devoted companion - Their bond with their family is deep and unwavering. German Shepherds are known for their loyalty and devotion. They become genuinely attached to their people and want to be part of everything you do.

A versatile, trainable dog - Their working heritage means German Shepherds excel at training when handled correctly. They can learn complex tasks, excel in dog sports, and genuinely enjoy having a job to do.

A protective family guardian - If you want a dog who will naturally protect your home and family, German Shepherds have this instinct bred in. Their presence alone deters problems, and their protective nature gives many families peace of mind.

An active adventure partner - German Shepherds need regular exercise and mental stimulation. If you're active and want a dog who can hike, run, or participate in activities with you, they're excellent companions.

Owning a German Shepherd is a commitment to training, structure, and purposeful engagement. They need experienced, confident handling and thrive on routine. But if you want an intelligent, loyal, capable dog who will devote themselves to you, German Shepherds are exceptional.

Get the Full Support System for Your German Shepherd

This article gives you real solutions you can start using today. But raising a German Shepherd is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.

That's why we created our free Skool community - to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

  • Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific German Shepherd and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
  • Full breed-specific courses covering everything from puppy raising to advanced behaviour modification
  • A supportive community of other German Shepherd owners who understand exactly what you're going through
  • Video demonstrations so you can see techniques in action, not just read about them
  • Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
  • Updated resources as we add new courses and training blueprints

Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.

Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to build the best relationship with your German Shepherd.

Common Questions

Are Border Collies hard to train?

Not hard, but demanding. Border Collies learn faster than almost any other breed. The challenge is keeping them mentally occupied. A Border Collie that's bored will find things to do with that intelligence, and they're creative. Training is less about the dog learning and more about the owner keeping up.

How much exercise does a Border Collie need?

A lot. At least 1.5 to 2 hours of physical exercise per day, plus mental stimulation on top. A Border Collie that only gets a walk around the block will be difficult to live with. Agility, fetch, herding activities, and puzzle feeders all help. Physical exercise alone is not enough for this breed.

Are Border Collies good family dogs?

They can be, but they're not the easiest fit for every family. They tend to herd children, which means nipping at heels. They're sensitive to noise and chaos. Families who love outdoor activities and want to invest in training tend to do well with them. Those looking for a relaxed dog probably don't.

Why does my Border Collie stare at everything?

The stare is a herding instinct. It's called the eye, and it's what a Border Collie uses to control livestock. When they stare at a ball, a child, or a car, they're doing what their breed was built to do. It's not aggression. But if the intensity becomes a problem, teaching an off switch is worth investing in.

Do Border Collies suit apartment living?

Generally not. They need space and activity. A Border Collie in a small apartment without adequate exercise will become anxious, vocal, or destructive. They're better suited to homes with outdoor access and owners who have an active lifestyle.

Which areas of Sydney do you work in?

Our services are offered all across Sydney. We have clients in the:

  • Inner City / City Centre
  • Eastern Suburbs
  • Inner West
  • Lower North Shore
  • Upper North Shore
  • Northern Beaches
  • Hills District
  • Western Sydney
  • South Sydney / St George
What is the best way to get in touch?

You can always give us a ring if you have questions or book a complimentary meet and greet by following this link: Book Now

Does your training use pain, fear, force or aggression?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. If you want a method like that I suggest you call the 1980's, go back there and never get a dog. We teach the dog calming code, a method based on positive action that reinforces your role as the leader in your dog's eyes.

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