Have you met our Border Collie?

Have you met our Border Collie, Quinn?

For those who know me well, you may have heard me compare babies to dogs. They are so similar. If you have a baby and a dog, you agree with me, don't you?!

The other night I was reading about Border Collies. I found myself shaking my head "yes", while laughing as I read it.

Here are the similarities that I found:

"This working farm dog is famous for his intimidating "eye" -- a fixed, hypnotic stare..."

Quinn has an intense stare that will intimidate even the toughest of people. I'd bet on her in any staring contest. 

"His superior intellect, combined with his intensity..."

Ok so I might be biased but this kid is smart. She is also unbelievably intense. I have NO clue where she gets it ;)

"...has been bred for endless miles of sprinting and stop-and-go action."

She never stops moving. From the second she wakes in the morning, she's on the move. Not only is she constantly moving, she is also constantly talking. She's a daredevil who likes to move fast and be thrown in the air or over a shoulder. 

"...you must substitute several LONG (45 minute) walks per day, plus off-leash romps in a safe area, fetching balls or frisbee, and weekly or twice-a-week advanced obedience classes or agility classes."

Thank God we have a park next to our house because I think I'm going to institute laps around the field for her soon. She does love a good game of fetch. I wish there were toddler obedience classes. 

"Without physical and mental stimulation, Border Collies become hyperactive and will drive you up the wall with obsessive and destructive behaviors as they seek creative outlets for their physical and mental energy."

She absolutely drives me up the wall. While I wouldn't call her (too) destructive, she has been known to find unique ways of challenging herself and me. She is constantly trying to figure things out, whether it is how to open a drawer or cabinet or how to get around a gate that I've set up. Unlike Teagan, she cannot amuse herself for hours. She looks to me, or someone else, to entertain and stimulate her. She thrives on challenges, including pointing out objects on a book or fetching specific items for us. 

"High intelligence does mean they learn very quickly - but that includes learning how to do anything they set their minds to..."

She is determined. If she wants something, she will find a way to get it. She is unbelievably persistent. I will show her how to do something once or twice (like stacking blocks) and she will do it. She loves to please, although she also loves to test limits. She will get me diapers or wipes when asked. 

"Trying to train a Border Collie, in fact, can be frustrating, because they are constantly thinking, analyzing, and reacting to every tiny movement you make."

If Quinn is around and I need to get something from a cabinet, for example, I need to do it when her back is turned. If she sees me open the cabinet, and even worse, sees what is inside, I'm screwed. She will have watched me open it and will replicate it quickly. 

"You must stay one step ahead of this challenging breed, and most households are simply not up to the task."

I will often joke that it's me against Quinn. Just when you think the house is baby-proofed, Quinn finds something she shouldn't. Then it is back to the drawing board. Quinn is definitely a challenging breed but I wouldn't have it any other way!