Letting you know the alarm clock went off, bringing you the leash and your shoes, and keeping the cats off of the counters—these can all be part of her job. Barking every time a neighbor closes a car door, herding Grandpa to the bathroom, and protecting the family from the pizza man—not so much. You write her duties clearly through your feedback, moment to moment. Quite literally, what you feed into with encouragement, rewards, or energy will be perceived as part of the plan. What you unambiguously interrupt with quiet and pragmatic assertiveness—“That’s absurd, you silly dog, sit down and mind your business, please”—will be recognized as erroneous. You have to be consistent, of course. And demonstrate that you are capable of getting control of any situation more efficiently than she. You have to fill the captain’s shoes so she doesn’t step up to the plate.

When it comes to satisfying a herding dog’s interests, the focus and the burden rest squarely on your shoulders. Without your direction, provisions of meaningful tasks, and enthusiasm, she will be entirely lost. This workaholic hungers for a sense of accomplishment and a supervisor. She has the perception that she can make the world right and return order to the universe by your side. Let your imagination fill her cup with important assignments, high demands, and thrilling endeavors. Never stop teaching her new things, adding to her list of critical responsibilities as the little worker bee she is.

Education

While she in no way lacks the motivation to pursue her own studies, she is definitely the type of student who will become anxious without a great deal of direction from her professor. She is a naturally poised apprentice who has been selected to look to you for information, to seek your constant instruction, and to garner your approval.

You will have no trouble whatsoever teaching her things. She will pick up new skills at the drop of a hat. You are more likely to underestimate her and not move quickly enough through the material than to be disappointed in her progress. She needs you to keep the bar high, and to continue to raise it, in order to stay engaged. This highly gifted student of yours can become problematic, and even anxious, if she is not properly challenged and led.