HOME LIFE—She will learn all of the rules of your home with ease. You will be bragging to your friends about the twenty-four hours it took to housebreak her and the four tricks she learned in the first week. She will figure out your daily patterns and work hard to accommodate them. She will be working so darn hard, as a matter of fact, that you may just lose your mind.

If you like to be left alone, this kind of dog may not be ideal for you. Like an overenthusiastic Girl Scout just dying to find out what the day has in store, she will merrily follow you around from room to room, watching your every move. It can get a little annoying. Or it can be absolutely wonderful.

You can tell her all about your friend Mary who is coming over in a minute and she will hang on your every word, too, cocking her head adorably. But unless you want to bring crime show drama right to your living room, you may want to remember to think ahead and lock the door. Mary may have been letting herself in without knocking for the past three years, but now that you have adopted a herding dog, she is likely to be perceived as an intruder by breaching protocol about the entrance of visitors into the home.

Create and follow a well-managed routine for visitors, as with everything else, and she’ll be just fine. If you find she has a hard time conceding to your advice about company, you can also use a well-placed tether on the far side of your family room as an off-duty location. When someone comes knocking, she can be “clocked out” with an amazing bone away from the door for a few minutes as the person comes in and the dust settles. By taking control of events predictably, you will help your type-A dog relax. You never want to just wing it with your wingman.

In terms of your home life, give her plenty of information and instructions. Be diligent and patient as she reacts to the sights and sounds around your home. A herding dog will very likely bark, chase, or nip from time to time. Be aware that innocent nerf war games, spontaneous tickling fights, and romantic dances (and the other stuff that comes with those dances) can all be perceived as out of order and unacceptable to your little assistant manager.