Hi there! I'm Ryder. Born in 2019 (I think), 40 pounds of handsome, and I am a Border Collie mix. I've had all my shots and had that surgery on my unmentionables. Foster Mama says that like most Border Collies, I'm “a little intense.” I LOVE playing fetch. I mean, I LOVE playing fetch. I'll fetch tennis balls, frisbees, and other toys, but my absolute favorite is a little squeaky football Foster Mama got me. I also love my JollyBall. My best quality is that I am very affectionate with people I like and trust. I love to be pet and to sit with and lean on my favorite people. I also give kisses and just want to be near you but I also like to explore and mostly to play I will keep your yard bird free, cuz next to playing fetch with my football, chasing birds (and butterflies, blowing leaves...) is what I love best. Like most Border Collies, I am very sensitive to things that move or things that have changed. I have a routine for every time I go outside. I potty in pretty much the same place every time. I'm also a very fast learner and had the routine at my foster home down after one day. Once I figure out what you want me to do, I get it in a snap. I am good in a crate and don't chew up my bed. Because I spent years in an apartment using pee pads, housetraining is a challenge for me, so keeping me in a crate or a mistake-tolerant area when you can't watch me is a good idea Toys: Like I said, balls and anything I can fetch are my absolute favorite. I haven't destroyed my plushies, but they're just not my thing. I also don't really care about the chew toys Foster Mama gave me. Sometimes I get really excited about my squeaky ball and I can get a bit grabby and jumpy when you try and take it from me, but I'm trying to remember to be good. A Chuck-It or something like it is best for me, We are working on it Foster Mama always asks me to "drop" a toy, and I am reminded to stay "back" rather than being impatient and rushing to pick it up We are working on "give." Treats: I can be slow to eat when I'm nervous, but I love treats. Mama gives me these jerky treats I really love, and I also love pill pockets. Don't know why they call them that, but maybe I eat them so fast I don't even notice the pills in the pockets. They're peanut butter flavored – YUM. Things you should understand about me: I need a Mom or Dad experienced with Border Collies if you're going to adopt me. Foster Mama says I am not a first dog kind of guy, and I'm not the couch potato type. If you want a dog you can play with though, I'm your guy! I lived with kids, but am probably better with older kids since I can get a little grabby when I'm not paying attention. I am slow to trust strangers (although some people I like right away). If you have a lot of people come to visit you in your house, I may not be the best fit, or you'll want to be comfortable with proper introductions for dogs like me that take some time to warm up to strangers. I am a little choosy about men (sorry guys) I don't like it when there's a fence (or crate) between me and something I'm interested in, so I can bark and seem mean sometimes. But once I'm out, I'm good. And I love exercise. Foster Mama says that I should probably live somewhere that can give me at least an hour of exercise every day – fetch, or training, or frisbee, or something that gives me a job. Foster Mama and I play fetch about three times a day. I like being busy. If I get regular activity, I am really well behaved. Inamnalsonom medication for my anxiety, which I will have to stay on. It really helps me not to be so bothered by things, and it helps me to be able to focus on training. I have lots of zoomie moments and love to do laps around the yard when I'm outside. I need a fenced yard so I can get my zoomies out and not get into trouble with cars and people and pets going by. Foster Mama says that because I like chasing birds so much, I'm probably better off at a home where there aren't other small animals like cats. I can't help it – it's fun to chase the birds and butterflies and watch them fly away. I would be a great fit for someone who wants to explore competitive frisbee, flyball, or lure coursing. I am reactive to other dogs though (we are working on it)?so would need venues that understand that. If you are a Border Collie fan and interested in seeing if I am the right dog for you, please fill out the application at: https://www.australianshepherdsfurever.org/adoption-application There is an additional $20 microchip fee which includes registration and transfer to my new furever family.