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Hi Adrienne! I’m hoping for some guidance on our rescue BC. He is 8 months. We’d had him 4 weeks. We don’t know his history up to age 5 months but most likely he was born on a farm or a bad breeder and had next to no socialization up to that point. He is very fearful but at the same time is coming along quite well. I also have 3 girls aged 3, 4 and 6 and have no experience with dogs. There are lots of thoughts and worries whirling around my head right but I’ll try to stay on point! 1. Barking at visitors. Ned had been very shy of visitors (we don’t get many) but not reactive. Then last week we had a really unfortunate event where my mother in law arrived unannounced and surprised him (and me) at the back door, came out in a big puffy coat, big bag swinging. The back door is also the path to where he feels safest. So she freaked him out and he barked and growled. I sent her back inside but she came back out again 30 seconds later. Then again I sent her in and again she came out (with her husband 😫). I was pretty mad about the whole thing but I guess they didn’t do it intentionally. Since then he has barked, growled and gone mad when anyone comes to the house. Hackles up. I’ve kept him in the kitchen, clapped my hands to snap him out of it, said “quiet”, then reward when he complies. He will then quieten down after a few goes at this (though he is still nervous). Am I doing right? The irony is that when the dog trainer came round, there was not a peep out of him! 2. Herding - ? This is coinciding with an interest in my 3 year old and I wonder if it the start of herding behaviour or something more serious. He barked at her this morning when she was sitting quietly on the couch and I could see that he was starting to zoom in on her and jump at her. In combination with point 1, this has me a little worried. There could also be a bit of frustration as I have been keeping them apart more and more and I wonder if that is likely to make things worse and create a self-fulfilling prophecy. 3. General socialization. Ned was not lead trained and I’m starting to make progress with the help of your program! Should I work on the fear of visitors before thinking of the world outside the house? He can be fearful in the back yard, if he hears voices or the 2 GSD pups next door, do it can be hard even doing outside as he obviously feels more worried when he is restrained on the leash. 4. General fit with our family. I probably sound like a horrible person even thinking of sending Ned back to the rescue. He was in a foster home for 8 weeks with 2 kids aged 3 and 9, so he was “road tested” with young kids and another dog. We were advised 1 hour’s exercise playing ball should be enough for him. They did not mention that he doesn’t know and has limited interest in playing fetch! Not being lead trained, and being so fearful, really limits my options for exercising him properly. I am dreading the winter already. I was very clear in my conversations with the shelter that I could only commit to 1 hour’s exercise a day (more when possible, of course, but I could not guarantee more than an hour daily). In the foster home there was so much going on that I think he shut down and they did not see his normal doggy personality or issues coming out. Border Collie was in my list of “definite no” breeds due to exercise requirements, need for stimulation, herding children, etc., and I checked and double checked with them - “are you SURE he won’t morph into a normal BC needing 3 hours exercise a day plus games?”. Knowing nothing about dogs, it is obvious that he is always looking for a job as working dogs tend to do. Not everything is bad :) he is super smart, I’ve taught him lots of basic obedience and even the trainer remarked that he has an excellent temperament (he is not a positive trainer, so Ned’s temperament was properly put to the test!). The aggression is born out of pure fear. He will go and hide in the utility room like big beautiful scared baby who just would love some time and tlc. I would love your thoughts on the whole situation. I know he is also in that funny fear / teenage period. Sorry if I’ve rambled on a bit (a lot!). I feel bad criticizing the rescue people as they are doing their best, but I do feel a little let down as I have pretty much zero experience with dogs and was totally reliant on their advice and experience. I’m not afraid to put in some work and he is a great dog. I just need a reality check from someone who knows what they’re doing! Look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks a lot Ruth