Smarty Pants

Tatum continues to be a pleasant addition to our family but has grown out of her shell a little over the last few weeks. So far:

I have noticed she suffers from separation anxiety. If you are behind a closed door, she sits outside and whines because she can't see you.

She has claimed the couch downstairs as her own. You have been warned.

She is too smart for her own good. We locked her in the kitchen using a baby gate the 3rd night she was home. It took her 20 minutes to climb the gate. When I put her back in the kitchen, it only took her 20 seconds to climb it.

She does not like to bark.

She is scared of cars and dogs. More timid really. I am hoping this will change with time.

She hates the pool as you can tell from the deep scratches on my arms and legs. I drown proofed her today. Needless to say I doubt she will ever be back in the pool on her own free will.

She is definitely a border collie. Today was laundry day for my parents and they only had one load of whites left when they left for the grocery store. We normally keep the laundry room closed but they didn't remember to close it before they left. Their whites were on a pile in the laundry room floor when they left. They were in a pile on the couch when they returned. Good job herding your flock Tatum!

She eats sticks. She will break them off the bushes and chow down. I don't know if it is because she is teething or what but if she is outside, she probably has a stick in her mouth.

She is learning not to jump on people when they walk into the house. I am so proud.

She rings a bell when she needs to go out and use the restroom. She also rings the same bell when she is bored and wants someone to pay attention to her.

She is very cautious on her walks and doesn't seem to love them yet but she is pretty good at heeling without being taught. This might be the fear factor but hopefully it will stick once the fear is gone.

She dug her first hole in the yard today. I am praying this does not become a habit. Anyone know any tricks that work to stop your dog from digging?

She is very cuddly and lovable. I think she even managed to win over my father.