Border Collie from worker to pet?

Question
Hi, i have a fairly long story so please bare with me..... i have recently come back from scotland with our new border collie named sky. she is 20months old, but been on the farm where my husbands parents live as a working dog with 5 other dogs, although she spent much of her time in the kennels, and only came out with the other dogs when working or to get exercise. My father-in-law didnt really need her as his job shepherding had reduced. With her calm laid back temperment we wanted her for a pet and to go running with. She is very gentle and laid back but can be quite nervous with noises and people and cars, maybe cos shes only used to fields, mountains, animals and the odd car and person! which makes going running more like a slow jog or a fast walk as she is quite nervous! but she is quite trained to sit and down and come and heal etc but needs a little more practice and good on the lead. she is lovely with my young children I have 3 girls - 6, 4 and 3years. She is very calm and does what shes told most of the time, but doesnt have that vibrant personality my other collies had. But problem i have, is she is not really like other collies we had, and you know what i mean when i say collies are very energetic, gets very excited, wants to play etc etc, Sky is the complete opposite, not at all interested in anything, not in toys or a ball, or  doesnt get excited, hardly ever wags her tail not even when shes getting her dinner! she would rather cuddle, and snuggle in lay on you, pokes you with her nose to get stroked and attention, or just a walk and sniff and stand and look when we're out and about, but is very interested in other dogs, probably because thats all she is used to. she does come most of the time when we give a long whistle, overall lovely sweet natured dog but not sure if its too late to have her as a playful dog! She started off on the farm as a pup with her sister, but then went to live with my sister-in-law back in spring for 3 months to be a pet, but came back to the farm about 8months ago because she lived in a flat. Monday this week we brought Sky home from scotland to be our pet now 20months old. I am just worried that as she has been a working outside dog for so much of her younger age that its grilled into her and wont convert to a pet in our quietish town outside london, who will run and play. Although she so much prefers to be in dooors with us and loves being stroked etc but is a bit of a wimp and not lively, and not playful and doesnt seem very happy. although when my husband is home or leaving she immediately is concerned with where he has gone, looking out the window, dashing back and fourth by the door, giving a little whine.....perhaps missing the master figure she had in scotland with my father-in-law farmer - what she is used to. I am hoping its just the settling in period but the impression im getting is that she would much rather be working and not playing, i worry that will just be her personality!! or that she may need professional help as i dont have the skills to rehabilitate her!! i took her for a run around the roads and she was more or less fast walking and i had to pull her most of the way - just nervous understandably being used to quiet rural lands. I am on the verge of taking her back to the farm, which i dont want to do as she behaves like a rescue dog and would miss all the attention, but i want to bond with her but at the moment i dont have that feeling at all, i guess im asking is it possible she could ever change having past the puppy stage?.....so Any advice or knowledge you can give i would much appreciate it, please please please help if you can? Thanks

Answer
HI Helen:

With 3 changes in homes, it may take her sometime to settle in and learn all about her new life.

At 20 months she is certainly not too old for a Border Collie to learn to adapt.

Collies as you know love to work, in a Family Pet setting  that work need can be translated into tricks.  IE: Herding Tennis Balls into a bucket, collecting toys by name, helping to put away in toy boxes the kids toys, fetching the newspaper, bringing you your slippers etc.  On top of teaching bow, shake a paw, roll over, back-up, crawl etc etc etc....

Training is a bonding experience, it also establishes leadership skills and as all dogs are pack animals and natural followers they need good calm stable leaders to feel confident and safe.

From a country Farm to a busy city, will take some time, but constant walks, with plenty of positive encouragement, should see her over come her fear of city noises and distractions.

Working dogs are used to schedules, and family pets also live to certain schedules.
So set some schedules for her.  

Breakfast, walk kids to school, trick training, Lunch, nap time, Trick training, walk to school to pick up kids, play with kids, super time, trick training, last walk, then snuggle time.  Sleep.

Set you own schedule, using all or some of the above, work with dog in 20-30 minute sessions 2/3 times a day.

Regards