Betty, that 16 week period is only the most optimal time.
Not the last chance in a dogs life by a long shot.

Any ways, somehow I remember 26 weeks not 16.

 Quote: randy allen

Gotta disagree with you vehemently on throwing any blankets on this dog Phaedra.
Decidely not the way to build any trust.

If, IF there was a dire situation requiring medical attention, then yes by all means the first priority is the life of the dog.
But barring that, time...time...time.
Build trust before asking or demanding anything.

Randy, I do NOT think she should be throwing blankets on the dog at all. The OP stated that's what she's been doing to try and handle her. I was just paraphrasing how I see the dog's current living situation.

I think she should be basically ignoring the dog, but rewarding with high value food items for contact initiated. I don't think that this dog should be allowed to continue to live on it's own in a store if the goal is for her to become a house dog/pet.

Then ,I'm sorry Phaedra.
I misread what you were saying.

My bad.
Randy

 Quote: aaron myracle

If a wolf is raised with humans from birth, does he become domesticated?

There was a documentary on "feral" dogs that included a bit about a study (I think in Romania or Russia?) that addressed this. The researchers first raised a group of husky type pups from day one (each person took a dog), until 6 months of age. Then, they did the same with wolf cubs. They found the wolves to be totally un-domesticated, unable to properly house train, etc.

I am on a constant anti-wolf hybrid mission in my area, as they are very popular here, and am always on the lookout for ammo (in the form of info - before anyone gets out of sorts!)

Aaron, I agree that spitz-type breeds can be more independent and prey driven in nature, but every single dog from this litter (of 9) was returned to the rescue as being totally unmanageable (except for the 1 I re-homed with a lady who lived in the middle of nowhere and did sledding, etc., and 2 of them escaped from their fosters and were hit by cars).

 Quote: randy allen

Then ,I'm sorry Phaedra.
I misread what you were saying.

My bad.
Randy

It happens to the best of us, Randy.

I agree with Aaron's assessment. Border Collies have been bred to work with humans, They want a person that they can trust and please, it's in their nature.

Low key consistency does wonders. Give her an out of the way place where she can observe the world without needing to interact.

What I did when I got my incredibly shy and under socialized Border Collie was just let her be in her corner except for going outside. I just put a leash on her and we went out and I'd walk her around a bit until she'd potty. I didn't make a big deal of it, it was just part of life. I'd talk quite and soothing to her and praise her if she responded to me. I didn't force her to interact otherwise.

I lived in the country, so she didn't have to interact with anything other than me/my family when outside(who also pretty much ignored her unless she sought out attention). But gradually as she realized that good thing happened through interaction, she initiated it more and more.

If she like toys, good!! You can use that to your advantage I'd get a tough squeaky toy like a cuz and get her attention with it, have fun with it your self and I'm pretty sure she'll be curious and come see what it's all about!

When you offer you food, how do you do it? I'd suggest just sitting on the floor with a good book and a bowl of high value treats. Do this when she's hungry and she'll probably approach you! When she does, just ignore her (keep reading your book) except for offering her a treat from your hand. If she stays, offer another, if she goes back, she'll most likely return for another. When she's doing this regularly, start saying "yes" before you give her the food - it will introduce the concept of marker training. And it will show her that good things happen when she interacts with you!

 Quote: phaedra rieff

 Quote: aaron myracle

If a wolf is raised with humans from birth, does he become domesticated?

There was a documentary on "feral" dogs that included a bit about a study (I think in Romania or Russia?) that addressed this. The researchers first raised a group of husky type pups from day one (each person took a dog), until 6 months of age. Then, they did the same with wolf cubs. They found the wolves to be totally un-domesticated, unable to properly house train, etc.

I am on a constant anti-wolf hybrid mission in my area, as they are very popular here, and am always on the lookout for ammo (in the form of info - before anyone gets out of sorts!)

Aaron, I agree that spitz-type breeds can be more independent and prey driven in nature, but every single dog from this litter (of 9) was returned to the rescue as being totally unmanageable (except for the 1 I re-homed with a lady who lived in the middle of nowhere and did sledding, etc., and 2 of them escaped from their fosters and were hit by cars).

It was a rhetorical question, but I know the study you're referring to. Lemme dig it up so I can look at the methodology.

I believe that study also attempted to draw conclusions about dogs and "critical periods" for socialization, that weren't actually supported by their data.

I think this is the study you're referring to, Phaedra?
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dev.20082/abstract

It sounds like it, but I remember seeing footage of the wolves being 5 or 6 months old in the homes and going nuts. I'm on my way out, but I might be able to find it online.