My Blue Merles Strange body language

Question
Hello, I am Michael. I am 13 years old and I own a Blue Merle Sheltie. Her name is Kayla. She is 7 and we raised her from a puppy.

Every time i walk up to her or open the door she walks up to me slow not very slow but like she is heeling. She has her Ears back beside her head but she doesn't is submissive shes calm and her tail wagging like crazzy like she wants to play or something.

My question is : What is she telling me with her body language? Ears back beside her head and she is wagging her tail fast and hard. Is she afraid of me (her ears are back) or is she happy to see me (tail wagging very fast) or is it something else?

Note: she is a very friendly dog and would never hurt a fly. You can maul her but she wil just lick you or get up and walk away she wont bite. Also we have never hit our dog.

Answer
Hello Michael!

You gave me a lot of information in your question.  I had to call Sarah (my wife) and consult with her to get a second opinion.  

Our tri-black Tucker is like your blue merle Kayla.  He is very sheepish (that's a sheepdog joke there) but always wants to please.  We think Kayla is just trying to tell you that she will do whatever you want but is confused or unshure of what it is that you want her to do.

My suggestion is to try letting her come to you.  Lie down on the floor and call her over to you.  This way you show that you are not a threat. Tell her she is a good girl and love on her when she comes to you.  

We tended to push Tucker over as a puppy and rub on his tummy even if he didn't really want to.  This causes dogs to feel inferior in their dog way.  Avoid doing that for a while and get on the floor on her level and talk to her.  Try sneezing at her too.  If she sneezes back that means she is laughing with you.  

Another one is to play whatever game it is she likes to play.  Our boys are very good at fetch.  (If she doesn't know it, use a hallway with all the doors closed and throw a ball to the end of it.  Encourage her to bring it back to you with treats... if she gets close to right she gets a treat.  Then take the game outside).  

Make a routine for her so she knows what to expect next (a time for play, a time for eating, a quiet time, a sleep time-and so on).  Dogs like order and predictibility.  Try to be consistent with her and she will understand better how to please you which will make her very happy.

'sneezes
Dave