leaps and bounds

 Willow is steadily finding her feet. 

She is quick and smart - so a typical collie. However she is overly sensitive, an overthinker, keen over achiever - likewise - a typical collie. She is also desperate to 'do things right',  to be loved'  to be 'part of the pack' and it is exhausting. For me but even more so for her.

Originally we were told she had to be kept in a crate to help control her as she could be 'too much' and they were worried about her chewing the kid's toys, that she sometimes urinated in the house when she was too excited. Hearing snippets of their reasons for needing her gone and watching the family dynamic I could see they were at their wits end and the dog had no boundaries, no leadership and they had no time.

After the initial allowance of all her foibles and issues, we have worked through and reenforced and reminded and repeated and rewarded new behaviours. She now is the 'proud' owner of three beds and several toys - although still not sure what to do with them, we're going to try and remedy that today (if it will stop raining) when we go out for our walk.

This last weekend has been an absolute test for her, visiting different houses, travelling in the van, fence building, hedge removals, meeting new dogs, new cats and our house full of people. That little timid, desperate, fearful red and white dog stepped up and was 'part of the pack' and she knew it.  Gone were the frightened eyes, the trembly legs and despite still feeling timid - she was 'there and in the mix' and although I know we have a  long, long way to go - I was so proud of her. 

......just have to keep reminding her that the CAT is 'Top Dog' !!