Quote Originally Posted by Woodnymph View Post
Yes, we have worked with her. The most confident was when she had the puppies. We are very close, and she would ask me for help if she needed to. She had 10(!) and it was her first litter too. She was so gentle with them. We take them on long romps in the woods,and they can run free. She is always trying to be the "good" girl. Mostly we tried giving her More individual attention. Worked on commands etc... but she has had a hard time phsyically this last year. Bouts of being retreated for tick disease. We give her massages- that helps with the pain and stiffness. Sometimes she is fine and then symptoms back. We have spent SO much $$$ trying to help her. She came from a Tennessee breeder with a good rep. and he is a vet too. Her parents have good pedigrees. Saw another vet yesterday. He said that we could try xraying to make sure there are no problems that have developed- hip wise. Said that some things show up in adulthood ...What would you have her job be? Thank you by the way. Do you work in the animal field? Linda
I am glad the vet will checking things out just in case. After all, hone we are in pain, we humans tend to be extra sensitive and short-tempered as well.

I was just thinking any task you could give her - like fetching the paper, bringing you her toys, she is a collie, after all, and without something to herd, gotta keep those minds busy! Patrolling the boundaries in search for critters - anything you can think of to give her more deliberate "purpose" might help her focus outside herself. Once the vet checks her out, maybe you could work on scent-training or becoming a therapy dog ... or even a reading assistance dog, she might enjoy that, and interaction with children ...

I and my husband run this site, and I am a designer by training, radio show presence and now host, book reviewer, and life-long animal lover. My husband grew up with collies (likely mixes, not purebreds) and was confused the first time he visited my parents' house, and Gracie the Great Dane leaned on him - his collies never ever did that!