Border collie from working dog to pet?

[hbilias]

Hi all, i have a fairly long story so please bare with me..... i have recently come back from scotland with our new border collie named sky. she is 20months old, but been on the farm where my husbands parents live as a working dog with 5 other dogs. We wanted her for a pet and to go running with. She is very gentle and laid back but can be quite nervous with noises and people and cars, maybe cos shes only used to fields, mountains, animals and the odd car and person! which makes gong running more like a slow jog or a fast walk as she is quite nervous! but she is quite trained to sit and down and come and heal etc but needs a little more practice and good on the lead. she is lovely with my young children I have 3 grils 6 4 and 3. very calm and does what shes told most of the time, but doesnt have that vibrant personality my other collies had. But problem i have, is she is not really like other collies we had, and you know what i mean when i say collies are very energetic gets very excited wants to play etc etc, Sky is the complete opposite, not at all interested in toys or a ball, doesnt get excited, hardly ever wags her tail not even when shes getting her dinner! she would rather walk and sniff and stand and look when we're out, but is very interested in other dogs, probably because thats all she is used to. she does come most of the time when we give a long whistle, overall lovely sweet natured dog but not sure if its too late to have her as a playful dog! She started off on the farm as a pup with her sister, but then went to live with my sister-in-law back in spring for 3 months to be a pet, but came back to the farm about 8months ago because she lived in a flat. Monday this week we brought Sky home from scotland to be our pet now 20months old. I am just worried that as she has been a working outside dog for so much of her younger age that its grilled into her and wont convert to a pet in the city who will run and play. Although she so much prefers to be in dooors with us and loves being stroked etc but is a bit of a wimp and not lively, and doesnt seem very happy. although when my husband is home or leaving she immediately is concerned with where he has gone, looking out the window, dashing back and fourth by the door, giving a little whine.....perhaps missing the master figure she had in scotland with my father-in-law farmer - what she is used to. I am hoping its just the settling in period but the impression im getting is that she would much rather be working and not playing, i worry that will just be her personality!! I am on the verge of taking her back to the farm.....so Any advice or knowledge anyone can give i would much appreciate it, please please please? Thanks

[blndebmbr]

I replied to your other post first.

In a nutshell, don't give up. You are speaking a foreign language to her. Give her time to learn what you are asking. Once she understands, I think you will see her personality.

Oh and Welcome!!!

[joanne/shads]

My previouse collie was quiet and didnt get excited very often wasnt interested in toys or playing fetch he was a year old when i got him we were told he didnt respond to sheep therefor wasnt wanted. he was brilliant with my kids he would let them tug him around curl up with him or just sit and watch them and he could run lol he was also very protective with me and the kids. Shadow is the complete opposite I guess all im trying to say is every dog is different and not all follow the typical breed characteristics. try training beyond obedience clicker training to learn tricks may be agility or fly ball she probably just needs time to adjust and some stimulation beyond just walks/running. i hope this helps im sure others here will also be able to offer more ideas to help you keep sky

[hbilias]

Thanks for your replies ;o) Will give her more time and more encouragement to play!

[trickytrip]

Roo Roo A Doo and hello from Silky and me. Sounds like Sky was forced into early retirement, but there are things you can do to help her adjust. First of all, be patient. Along with being patient, can you get her involved in agility or (don't know where you are located) herding? Also, take her hiking where she can get some running done, this really helps Silky as she loves to run. Remember, a Border Collie never unlearns what they are taught, they can always learn new ways though. Perhaps another canine friend, younger to give her someone to care for and tend to. The noises are all new to her, she is a country girl.

[Vicky]

Hello and welcome, you could try sitting on the floor and playing with her toys that way she may come over and see what you are doing and join in, some dogs just aren't into toys, Holly will play with anything!, but my auntie has a bc who really only plays with balls and her lead.

[Oenoke]

Hi and welcome.

Give her a few weeks to settle in, she may need to be taught to play with toys.