Following From In Front

 

 

Lizzie is my fifth dog (three Australian Shepherds and one Corgi blend) from the Herding Class.  She's the second one that does something I call, "Following from in front." My Aussie, Sydney, did it really well. Lizzie is now a close second.

When Lizzie first joined our family she would pretty much stay planted on the sofa when I left the room to do something. Oh, she would certainly keep a close eye on me. However, I have noticed in the last month or so that she now jumps down nearly every time I leave the room.  Okay, so it's a little annoying if I'm going to be coming right back. She won't jump up on the sofa, which means I have to gift her a lift. Oh, excuse me. She WILL jump up if we're giving her a 'bye-bye' biscuit. She may be polite, but she LOVES her treats.

Now, I do like the idea of her WANTING to be with me, but can't she follow me from behind to do it? She gets in front of me as I'm walking about in the house and then, with a slightly anxious demeanor, turns back to see where I am and where I'm going. She hasn't run into anything...yet. I haven't crashed into her...yet. It's just a matter of time though if she keeps this up.

She also doesn't seem to know what to do with herself, while she's waiting for me to complete my task. She doesn't lie down and wait patiently, like Tucker did. She doesn't lie down and watch for my next move like Sydney did. She has a different agenda. One that I haven't figured out yet. She MAY be struggling with her place in the house. WE are certain that she belongs here, but SHE needs to feel it too. I just wish she would feel like she belongs from behind me rather than in front.

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