Episode #29: Why Your Collie Reacts Differently to Some Dogs on Walks

Ever wondered why your Border Collie greets one dog politely but snaps, stares, or lunges at another? You’re not alone! In this episode of Collie Conversations, we dig into why Collies react so differently to certain dogs on walks - and how you can use that knowledge to make outings calmer and more enjoyable.I’m Gemma Fisher, Border Collie specialist, and in this episode I’ll walk you through two real-life cases from our community:Sadie - a Collie who guards toys, sticks, pinecones (and even her people!) around other dogs.Debbie’s Collie - struggling with car and bike chasing, and reactivity to other Border Collies when too close.Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s conversation:00:00 Intro – Collie reactions explained01:04 Resource guarding: toys, people & why it happens03:20 The “Collie rulebook” and the famous hard stare05:00 How a trigger stacking diary reveals hidden behaviour patterns07:00 Why calm dogs feel safe but goofy, bouncy ones don’t09:15 Teaching a retrieve to reduce guarding situations10:30 Stepping in early to protect your Collie’s confidence11:30 Car & bike chasing: using the Traffic Tracker to spot triggers13:00 Training levels explained - from Reception Class to PhD14:30 How to bridge the gap between “calm at home” and “chaos outside”In this episode, you’ll discover:Why Collies may guard objects or people, and how to prevent it.How a trigger stacking diary helps you spot patterns others miss.Why Border Collies react more strongly to high-energy dogs.First steps to manage car and bike chasing safely.How to build training gradually, instead of overwhelming your Collie.If you’ve been struggling with unpredictable reactivity, resource guarding, or car chasing, this episode will give you clear, practical starting points you can use straight away.👉 Join our free Facebook group for weekly tips & Q&As: https://bit.ly/3Mn3GtC👉 Watch the full episode here:    • Video  🔔 Subscribe for upcoming episodes—next week, we’ll dive into more common Collie challenges with step-by-step solutions.Border Collie expert Gemma Fisher has helped thousands of owners turn stressful walks into joyful ones. Through positive training, clear communication, and practical tools, she’ll help you uBorder Collie expert Gemma Fisher has dedicated her career to empowering collie owners with the skills they need for a reliable recall and a joyful partnership with their dogs. Gemma’s hands-on experience and commitment to positive methods shine in each Collie Conversation. Her podcast brings practical, inspiring advice for every Collie owner, from recall training to managing reactivity. Join her Facebook group (https://bit.ly/3Mn3GtC) for even more tips and community support.