Welcome to FeralHeart!
Alright, here really are the basics:
1. Read the rules and stuff.
2. Obey them and stuff.
3. make the character of your wildest dreams and take over the world
4. profit.
Nahhhh, but really, it's easy to get into. You just explore and roleplay, and talk to people.
Also, since you are a Border collie fan......
There's a group that is full of dogs, and a few are border collies I think.
Unchained, you might wanna check that out and see if they fit your bill.
I hope you have a grand time.