Buddha

Meet Buddha, a 1-year-old purebred Border Collie with a stunning lilac and white coat, a full heart, and a passion for squirrels, long walks, and catching toys midair. Equal parts herding instinct, sensitive soul, and goofy sidekick, Buddha is a shy, wild work-in-progress who’s discovering the world one paw step at a time.He’s seeking a forever family that understands the brilliant (and sometimes baffling) Border Collie brain—someone patient, structured, and committed to helping him catch up on everything he missed in his first year. With the right guidance, Buddha has the potential to blossom into an incredibly loyal, joyful, and athletic companion.

________________________________________
Personality

Buddha is a sensitive, curious soul who is still learning how to process the world. He’s shy, sometimes wild, and still figuring out how to respond to praise, affection, and structure. Once he trusts you, his goofy and affectionate side starts to shine through—along with strong toy drive and a love for play.

✅ Crate Trained – Will rest in crate but may vocalize when frustrated
✅ House Trained – With supervision; still connecting outdoor time to potty
✅ Learning Commands – Sit, down, spin, come, and wave in progress
✅ Leash Savvy – Walks well on leash and loves to explore
✅ Eager to Bond – Wants to be close to his dog friends and people
✅ Developing Toy Drive – Now catching toys and playing independently

He needs consistency and time to build trust and security, but when he gets it—he’s all heart.

________________________________________
Strengths

❤️ Developing fast – Smart and responsive to training
❤️ Sweet and affectionate once comfortable
❤️ Energetic and athletic – Great candidate for agility or active work
❤️ Loves toys – Catches, tugs, and plays hard
❤️ Big cuddler – Loves being close once bonded
❤️ Tries hard to connect with other dogs
❤️ Highly food and praise motivated (even if he doesn’t show it at first)

________________________________________
Weaknesses

😐 Startles easily and reacts to sudden movement, people, and dogs
😐 Can become overstimulated and bark or lunge when anxious
😐 Still developing house habits like potty signaling
😐 Can be overbearing with dogs that won’t correct him

________________________________________
Training & Manners

• Crate trained – Can rest quietly but may bark for attention
• Learning boundaries – Still exploring what’s appropriate indoors
• Working on potty routine – Still associating walks with bathroom
• Leash trained – Loves walks and responds well to distractions
• High food and toy drive – Strong foundation for training
• Needs help with impulse control – Can redirect with guidance
________________________________________
Social

Buddha wants to be part of the action—but doesn’t always know how. He craves dog friendships but can be overwhelming to more passive pups. He’s learning to read social cues, but in his current environment with lots of stimuli and a non-playful resident dog, it’s been hard.

He has had mixed reactions to people—some he approaches with curiosity, others he barks at from fear. He recently nipped a stranger who rushed into his space unexpectedly, so slow introductions and strong boundaries are a must.

________________________________________
Sport / Service / Active Companion

Buddha shows herding instinct typical for his breed and is praise-motivated, which could make him a good candidate for basic obedience, trick training, or light recreational herding.

After a few days of decompression in foster care, he is showing interest in balls, ropes, and squeaker toys. He is starting to self-entertain with toys and is learning to fetch. Tugging with humans and other dogs is becoming his favorite game.

Since entering foster care, Buddha has been developing toy and food drive, laying the foundation for sports like agility, dock diving, or disc. With continued confidence building and engagement, Buddha has real potential to thrive in a sport or active enrichment home.

________________________________________
Home Life

Buddha is settling beautifully into indoor life after spending much of his early months outside. He has an excellent understanding of boundaries when it comes to personal belongings—he has never chewed on anything that wasn’t his. He instinctively knows the difference between dog toys, bones, and human items. He does not tear apart his bedding or pull on his crate cover.

He sleeps through the night without issue and is quiet in his crate during the day. He mostly respects furniture and keeps all four paws on the ground unless invited up. After an indoor play session, he settles nicely into his bed or crate for some downtime.

He’s developing self-control around feeding time, sitting and waiting to be told to eat. Despite being around other dogs, he shows no signs of anxiety or resource guarding. He allows handling while eating, lets you reach into his bowl, and remains relaxed if his food is removed.

Whether chilling by your feet in the office or gearing up for a full day of hiking, running, and playing, Buddha adapts beautifully to his environment and daily routine. With continued structure and guidance, he’s proving to be a respectful, affectionate, and easy housemate.

________________________________________
Buddha’s Perfect Forever Home

✅ Active, Patient Family – Must understand fearful/reactive behavior and how to build trust
✅ Border Collie Experience – Especially with shy, under-socialized, or sensitive working dogs
✅ Fenced Yard Required – Walks are not enough; he needs safe space to decompress and potty
✅ No Small Children – Older, respectful teens or adult-only homes preferred
✅ Another Well-Matched Dog (Optional) – A confident, playful pup could help teach him the ropes
✅ Structured, Calm Environment – Loud or chaotic homes are not a match right now

What Wouldn’t Be Ideal for Buddha?

❌ Homes with high foot traffic, no yard, or nosy neighbors
❌ Families wanting a social butterfly or turnkey dog
❌ Households without time or desire for structured training
❌ Homes with passive or fearful dogs who won’t correct exuberant behavior

Why Buddha is an Amazing Dog for the Right Home

💙 He’s sweet, sensitive, and craves connection
💙 He’s made huge progress in just a few weeks
💙 He’s got brains, athleticism, and a lot of heart
💙 He’s goofy, adorable, and full of potential
💙 He’ll thrive with the right guidance and repay you tenfold

Final Thoughts
Buddha is not a beginner dog—but he’s not a lost cause either. He’s the definition of a “diamond in the rough.” With structure, boundaries, patience, and love, he will reward you with deep loyalty and joy. He deserves a home that will invest in him the way he wants to invest in you.

💙 If you’re ready for a training partner, cuddle buddy, and future superstar—Buddha is your guy! 💙