Description
For Layla's full adoption profile, please visit our website here:
https://www.thedogsway.co.uk/adopt-layla
Layla is an incredibly sensitive soul who has made amazing progress since she was relinquished to us at 15 months old. Originally being highly dog reactive, and very nervous with people, she now lives in my home with my other four dogs, loves to play with friends dogs, and assists in training sessions with other client dogs where they are in need of resocialisation. She is largely no longer dog reactive (providing that other dogs are not themselves overly reactive or aggressive towards her), and she has also made significant progress when it comes to being touched and receiving affection and is much more tolerant when it comes to activities like towel drying - though does still need to be muzzled for vet visits or for grooming! Layla is a dog that takes time to build trust and comfort with people, but once she has it takes great comfort in their safety and protection and is incredibly amenable. As a personality, Layla is the sort of collie that whilst absolutely capable of any task you could ask of her, would most certainly be better suited as a ‘hobby’ home than many of the collies with more intense temperaments and strong working instincts - providing that they are able to fulfil the energy requirements of a working line Border Collie. Layla is like many Collies - happiest in the great doors, happy in her own space, happy off lead and with something to do. She has an shown an incredible capacity for learning in different disciplines, - in general & competition, obedience work, scent work and tracking, and in her work beside me assisting in behaviour rehabilitation - but does best when she is not overwhelmed or under pressure to perform. Layla thrives with a very calm, quiet handler experienced in the breed, who is not anxious or overly excitable. Layla is looking for someone with a Calm, Confident personality who doesn’t take themselves too seriously - that is able to take things at her pace and build trust as she transitions into their home. She is not a dog that will benefit from someone who is either highly excitable, or someone who believes that smothering her in love and affection will win her over. Affection with Layla is earned over time, not forced - and she gravitates to people who are happy to just let her be in their space and be ignored. She will come to you in her own time. Layla would thrive with someone who leads an active lifestyle - someone who regularly hikes or enjoys other outdoor sports with a dog. Someone who loves a good game of ball (and doesn’t mind walking the last 5 metres to go and get it back!). Someone who spends a lot of time outdoors or has the space for Layla to potter around and follow them in their daily activities. Layla can absolutely be walked on a lead with a figure 8 to keep her calm, but like all Collie’s would prefer to be off lead running circles around you. Layla’s recall is generally very reliable and responsive - though prospective owners would have to be mindful to keep her on a lead when passing strange dogs. Layla could absolutely live with another dog in the home providing they have been properly introduced, and providing that the existing dog is not overbearing in its behaviour towards her. She is used to living with both smaller and larger dogs - more sensitive and more confident personalities - but as with people would do best with a calm, confident influence to help her feel safe and relaxed. Layla absolutely requires and benefits from a healthy structure around rest and sleep. She is well crate trained, and benefits from having time to switch off and relax in her own space, as well as knowing she has somewhere safe to go where she won’t be bothered.