Dino 19-193TD
Profile
At a Glance #19-193TD
| Golden Retriever | Born: October 2013 |
| Male | 67 lbs |
Status: Adopted
Profile
Updates
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Dino had a couple of hiccups along the way, but his stay with us was worth every moment. He charmed us. He loved us. He made us smile. He made us laugh. Now, he gets to be a permanent light for someone else.
This morning, Dino got a bath, then went home with his new family, including a kitty cat and some fish. Not missing a beat, he also found his favorite spot under his new kitchen table.
His new people are committed to helping him transition into the best dog he can possibly be. He will get to go hiking and camping. He will have healthy treats and his own personal trainer.
Dino loves to watch and try to chase little wild critters and he already spotted his very own squirrel friend.
We found that Dino loves the water, but he's not sure if he knows how to swim. Our guess is he'll probably be getting some swimming lessons, too, so he can enjoy his new swimming pool.
Welcome to America, Dino. Welcome Home.
Monday, April 6, 2020
Dino has been hard at work learning. He's working on his "sit," "wait," "heel," and "down" commands. At this point, he is a jack of all traits and master of none, but he's working on changing that. We are pleased with where he is in his training. He was doing great at obedience class, which is sometimes quite busy with dogs and people. We are on a bit of a break for now from class, but we continue to work on things at home.
Dino still enjoys going for car rides, walks, and romps in the woods, and he is getting ready for swimsuit season with his new body. He's down to 67 pounds and could use one more off, but if his exercise is kept up, he'll be good where he is, as well. He is very happy with his accomplishments thus far.
Dino does not appear to be afraid of anything. However, there are times when he is a bit shy if he's in a situation where there is a little more commotion than he is used to. You can tell, as he'll lower both his head and tail. Mostly, both are up, and the tail is wagging or he's extremely relaxed.
Dino will miss the snow when it has all melted (yes, we can still find a spot or two of snow), but he also enjoys the water and ducks. Out with one season and in with the next, he's going to be happy either way.
He has not been through any thunderstorms here, so there is no report on storm anxiety. There have been no signs of separation anxiety other than his big eyes staring out the window when it is time for us to leave without him.
Dino has learned a new name, a new language, and a new way of living. He has one more thing to do, and that is to learn the routine of his new forever home. He would love to move on to that journey and share his love with his new family. Maybe it's you.
Monday, March 2, 2020
Spring is right around the corner, and how wonderful it would be to start it out with a new friend.
Dino is still on the search for his perfect person(s). He is looking for someone that is confident and playful, enjoys the outdoors, will continue feeding him healthy treats, will give him belly rubs, and will take him for walks and romps.
Dino is looking for someone that will let him lay under the dining room table while they eat. He's looking for someone that will go through at least one session of training to help them bond. He's looking for a person(s) that will let him sleep in the bedroom with them and would be even happier if he could sleep on the bed.
Dino is a floppy-looking dog with a little bit of a square head and a big bushy tail. His heart is just as big. If he loves you, he loves you. Contact RAGOM if you have a place in your heart for Dino.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
On Saturday, Dino enjoyed a spa day and then attended RAGOM's 35th anniversary celebration. He was surrounded by many people and dogs in a very busy environment. He was a little reserved compared to the Dino we know, but he was also very well-mannered. We know there were some questions regarding Dino and we just wanted to give a quick recap.
A life in the eyes of Dino:
A Typical Schedule from Monday through Friday:
5:30-6:00 AM: He wakes up (tail wagging) and goes out by 7:00 AM for a 30- to 50-minute brisk walk, 1 to 2.5 miles depending on weather.
8:00 AM: His breakfast consists of 1.5 cups of low-fat dog food and maybe a little celery.
8:20 AM: He has free roam of the house with his dog and cat friends (he may be sneaking some nap time on the couch).
1:30 PM: He goes out for a break, or a short walk if time permits.
2:20 PM: He is back to free-roaming.
5:30 PM: He goes out for a 30- to 40-minute brisk walk before it gets dark, then has 10 to 15 minutes of one-on-one time playing with us, involving toys, chase, catch, or sometimes fetch.
7:30 PM: He goes outside to help with chores.
8:00 PM: He gets 1.5 cups of low-fat dog food.
9:00 PM: He has a final potty break and goes to bed.
On Wednesday and Thursday nights, Dino occupies his time at agility class and obedience class. He has officially completed his 6-week beginner obedience class and moves into the novice class this week.
On Saturday and Sunday, Dino will spend his days doing a combination of outdoor and indoor activities.
If you read between the lines, you will see he is not a lot of work. He is a good cuddler and enjoys lounging. He does, however, need exercise for mental stimulation, confidence building, continued training, and taking those last few pounds off. He has worked so hard getting down to his ideal weight that it would be a shame not to maintain it.
Dino is not crated, but does respect a baby gate when he needs to be kept in or out of a designated area. On the first trail run of free roam, he found a quarter loaf of bread on the counter. We have not had any more missing bread since. We have not noticed any bathroom-related accidents. He will get into the garbage if it is left out, but other than that, he is very well-mannered.
Interesting fact about Dino: Even after a bath, he kind of smells like Fritos.
If you would like to come home to this kind of love, send in your application.
Friday, February 7, 2020
As a foster, sometimes you accidentally fall in love with the dog you are fostering. Dino has stolen our hearts, but it doesn't mean he can't steal yours, too.
Dino is down to 70 lbs and just has a few more to go to maintain his healthy joints and healthy heart. He makes exercising easy because he enjoys being outside.
He has kicked up his agility class a notch by being off leash and he enjoys it much more. He gets to be off leash because his recall is improving each week as we work with him in between his obedience classes.
Everything that Dino is working on is making him a better dog than he already is. He gets along with cats and other dogs just fine. He graduated to free roam 24/7. He loves a good belly rub and he loves to lay with you. He loves to race around yet walks nicely on a leash if there are no squirrels. He waits patiently for his food dish to be put down and the "release" command, and he shows no signs of resource guarding.
Dino is a pleaser that wants to be with his people. He loves car rides and going where you go. He recently got to go to a local pet store where he was rewarded with treats from strangers. He will follow you into the kitchen, the living room, the bedroom, and... remember to close the bathroom door. He greets you at the front door upon your arrival home with a bark or three or more, and then grabs a squeaky or two or more and comes back with the best, big, fluffy tail wag ever.
Dino had a little hiccup while he was settling into a new home with new expectations, but he has proven himself to be an excellent dog that wants to please. He completed a behavioral analysis just to add extra comfort and he passed with flying colors.
Let Dino be the change you need in your life. Love him and let him love you.
You can see Dino (and other RAGOM fosters) at the "Be Mine" 35th Anniversary Celebration at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
The 3s of a rescue dog:
- 3 days to decompress
- 3 weeks to get into a routine
- 3 months to feel at home
Dino is one of the most wonderful dogs. He has settled in and is finding out who he is. After living on the streets of Turkey, he needed to learn how things are done in a home, learn a new language, and build some confidence in his new surroundings.
He started obedience class, which he seems to enjoy more than his agility classes. We continue the agility just to get out and about, but the obedience offers him structure and a better understanding of what we are asking of him, and he appears to be a happier dog during training for that reason.
Dino snores. He has a soft little snore while he sleeps by the side of your bed.
He does not go onto the bed while we are at home, but we do know that he might have made himself comfortable a time or two while we are out. A couple of tell tale signs: 1) the divet he leaves in the middle of the bed, and 2) you can see him staring out the upstairs window when we come home. Despite the fact that he is not supposed to be on the furniture, it still brings a smile to your face to see his face watching for you.
Dino's free-roaming time has been extended while we are away. There has not been any counter-surfing (food items are put away) or accidents. We did have a catastrophe of one plastic coat hanger. He no longer tries to hop on the couch, but did sneak a nap on it the last time we were out.
He drools. He will sit patiently and wait for his food dish, but he will drool while he does that. He makes great eye contact with you while he awaits his "release" command.
He will follow you into the kitchen with hopes that you might drop a carrot slice, but does not beg. He generally just lays down and then follows you into the next room.
Dino is quiet inside and he would be easy to just let lay, but he really needs someone that will engage and interact with him. He wants and needs to get outside for walks, exercise, and mental stimulation.
He also needs to continue with his obedience classes to build self-confidence and recall. Most of all, he needs his own person(s) and perhaps a dog friend, too, to call his own. Perhaps that is you.
Friday, January 17, 2020
Dino's Spotlight:
- He lost a little more weight and is down to 72 lbs. He has 5-7 more to go.
- His recall is improving, but he still gets distracted.
- He is starting to get short periods of free roam in the house while he's alone with his dog friend.
- He has free roam while we are home, including at night. He comes up to his bed on his own shortly after the lights go out.
- His Cytopoint injection (for allergies) lasted a solid eight weeks.
- He still has a slight ear infection, but that should be cleared up by his next recheck. He does not like ear treatments.
- He loves to be by his people.
We just had a check on his ear infection. He does not like items (cleaning solution, scopes, etc) put into his ears, so we are working on desensitizing him to those items through positive reinforcement techniques. While at the vet, we did a pain assessment to rule out items that could cause him to be reactive. So far, things are clean.
Dino loves to get outside for his daily walks. He loves to play, sniff, roll, run, and chase little squirrels. He's not as fast as a squirrel and suddenly finds the end of his long leash at times.
Dino loves to play catch and tug both outside and inside. He is also a very mellow dog after he romps around and will lay nicely by your feet, or at the end of the couch if you are lounging. If you are laying on the floor, he will come and curl up with you and help keep you warm on a cold winter day.
He is in general a quiet dog, but continues to bark with excitement when he hears someone come home. He counters it with tail wags to no end. He'll wake you up with tail wags hitting the floor or the side of the bed. When you walk by him while he's laying on the floor, he'll wag his tail to let you know he knows you are there. He's up in an instant if he hears the closet door open and is by your feet ready to go outside.
Dino is a perfect dog except for that lingering concern for his moment of atypical behavior. Because we have been unable to replicate it, Dino will have a behavior evaluation done so that his new family can feel comfortable with him as his fosters do.
He is looking for a home with a confident adult(s) that will continue his training, play time, and exercise time. He'd love to have many squeaky toys and something hard to chew on at times. Belly rubs are a must for him and he'll smile at you from his back until he falls asleep if you give him the time of day.
Submit your Inquiry for Application if you feel you are a fit, or follow his next update after his evaluation if you feel you need a little more information.
Monday, December 23, 2019
Using the analogy of dating is fitting for this wonderful dog, and he's still on the search for his high school sweetheart.
Dino has spent a little time behind the scenes so we could get to know him a little more. During this time, he has continued with his agility classes. He is starting to get the hang of them and it gets him out and about. He does not need to continue with them in his next life's chapter, but he certainly tolerates it and it helps with working on his focus. Continuing with some form of obedience training would be beneficial to him.
He picked up cross-country skiing this month being he needed a hobby during the Minnesota winters. It is great exercise for him. He gets to move at a quicker pace and trudging through the snow makes him work a little harder. He has been a great sport and needs to continue with his daily exercise in his new home.
Along with exercise, he continues with his healthy eating plans. He enjoys carrots, celery, and green beans in lieu of doggie treats.
Dino enjoys his indoor time with his stuffed squeakies, a warm fire, a cool floor, and just being near his people, even if it means laying under the table.
Very seldom he might find himself on the furniture, but respects the word "off." He requires daily one-on-one play time in addition to walks to keep his mind fresh.
Our resident dog is not a great team player, so he doesn't really get a chance for regular play with another dog. From what we've noticed, he is very docile when it comes to playing with other dogs, but enjoys their company and racing around. He will find things to keep himself occupied with as well.
These are only a few things that Dino enjoys. As fosters, it is also our responsibility to let you know about the other side. Some things that he dislikes are being startled and humans digging in his ears with things. It's important to respect his space and let your presence be known.
We did experience a negative reaction when he was tuned out to his surroundings and someone reached in to pet him. There have not been any other incidents. He has been around several people and situations since.
Working with Dino has had many ups, loves, and joys. He continues to look for a person that will give him endless belly rubs and has previous experience with dogs. If you want to know more about his quirks and positives, send in an Inquiry for Application.
Monday, November 25, 2019
With Christmas coming up, it was an easy decision to make that Dino does not want to be a Christmas present. Presents get played with for a few days or a couple of weeks, and then they get set to the side and found in a box a few years later.
No, Dino is not a present. He is a gift. He needs a home that will give him attention every day, all day, for the rest of his days, and he will give you love and entertainment for the rest of his days.
Dino is still working on name recognition. He plods along nicely on his walks, but when you stop and call him back, he needs a tug on the leash and encouragement. Now that he is settled in, we are working on his basic obedience more so he will be a better partner for his new family.
He is still on his weight watchers program, so exercise and limited treats are on the top of his "needs" list. There was a small incident when he thought a discarded meat wrapper was his and we felt eating plastic wrapping was not a good idea. It was decided that he must have a child-free home and his family needs to work with him on trading.
Dino recently got a shot of Cytopoint for itchy skin. It has helped quite a bit, and he is comfortable. There is a good chance that his scratching is environment-related, as he didn't appear to scratch too much when he arrived. His last recheck showed just a little bit of yeast left in one ear, so two more weeks of ointment and then he should be good to go.
We are getting freezing weather here, and Dino is adapting well, probably thanks to that polar bear figure of his. He enjoys his outdoor time and what little itty bit of snow we've had, he seemed to enjoy rolling in it.
Another favorite of his are car rides. Dino will try to race to the vehicle if there is any indication he may get to go for a ride. He doesn't seem to care where he is going, as long as he gets to go somewhere. He sits or lays nicely while on his travels.
Dino is looking for that right home where his new people are experienced and willing to take the time to work with him, let him shine, and be your light.
Friday, November 15, 2019
Dino's current snapshot:
- Improving recall
- Ear infection cleared up, but still working on a yeast infection
- Barks when there are new distractions, but settles down
- Needs plenty of exercise and interaction
- Usually walks very nicely on a leash, but can pull hard if distracted
- Will let you rub his belly all day long
Dino's diet plan has been working. He generally self-moderates his portion size, which is helpful. Getting him off table scraps, or his previous non-existent diet, has seemed to help, along with plenty of exercise. He is coming down to the 75-pound mark and is getting a nice figure. He still has more to go, but is well on his way.
Along with less weight and an adjusted time zone, Dino is finding that he loves to run around. He might not be a running companion, but he loves his brisk walks, a short jog, and the fresh air. He also loves to race around outside, and when he comes back inside, the first thing he does is to race around the house looking for a toy or two.
Dino is not constantly on the move. He will lay by your feet and enjoy a good movie or book with you. He gets bored with the bad ones and will go to hang out elsewhere. He enjoys a good bowl of fresh water and a warm floor under his paws.
A big accomplishment for him is learning English. He is learning his name, and his recall has greatly improved, but is not great yet. He knows "sit" and "wait" and is learning "down," "leave it," and "off."
He still barks when he hears someone outside or when the neighbor dog stops by to stare in the windows, but he settles down quickly when spoken to. He cries with joy when we get home and, again, races around the house.
Dino is still on some ear drops to get rid of the remaining yeast, but the actual infection has been cleared up. He is not a fan of the cleaning and the drops, but will tolerate them for a small treat and a belly rub. Grooming and baths have not been an issue with him.
He is not 100% house trained yet (he wanted to mark while at Grandma's), but we have not had any problems with him when we are home or when he is on free roam on the lower level with our resident dog while we are away. He sleeps in our bedroom without restrictions and has no problem making it through the night.
There are so many positives for Dino, and he truly is a wonderful dog just waiting for a wonderful life.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
We welcomed Dino into our home with open arms and quickly closed them around him. This dog is 100% loveable. All 81 pounds of him.
Should he be 81 lbs? No. He should be around 70, so he has a little bit of work to do. He's not a big eater, so that means he needs more exercise. Our guess is he maybe received too many table scraps back in his Turkish home.
When Dino arrived, he was a little jet-lagged, being there is an 8-hour time difference between Turkey and the U.S. He was also all smiles and tail wags. After a good night's rest, he started his exercise program.
The first couple of days, he would start out strong on his walks and then quickly wane. Just a week later, he will easily walk a brisk two-plus miles and is averaging just over four miles a day.
He also loves to come inside and play with his toys. His favorite game is catch. Not fetch. He loves it when you throw his toy up in the air for him to catch.
He has not been to the lake, but there is no doubt that if his paws were magnets, every pond, puddle, lake, or stream would be metal. We can't say he knows how to swim, but we do know he loves to be in the water.
Dino enjoys his outdoor activities and does well on a tie-out. He will lay outside quietly even if the neighbor dog barks. He will occasionally join in if our dog barks right next to him. He will bark when someone he doesn't know comes over or if he doesn't realize you came home. All in all, he appears to be very quiet.
Dino is enrolled in agility training until he is placed with his new family. While there, he met several dogs, both male and female, and did very well upon introductions. He also gets along well with cats. If you have a cat that runs, he will chase it, but he does not have the appearance of wanting to eat it. He will lay nicely with our cats if they let him.
This big teddy bear is well-mannered, but is still learning his body placement. He has been known to run around in the house and sometimes forgets his own weight, and his momentum keeps him moving forward, sometimes right into the person standing in the middle of the room.
Dino just transitioned to sleeping on his bed in the bedroom at night. He previously slept on his bed in the adjoining bathroom with the use of a baby gate. When we are away, he stays in the finished lower level with our resident dog, also with the use of a baby gate at the stairs.
He did have a recent trial run of free roam when we were gone for an hour, but he is not ready for that. There was the death of a leather glove, and he tinkled on a plant. He also has found chewing on plastic cups to be an enjoyment.
This beautiful pup is going to be on the high end of medium energy as he continues to lose weight and build muscle. He is level-headed, but would benefit from obedience training. He has very little recall. There is a small improvement, but he is still learning his name, our language, and our expectations. He is starting to respond to "sit," "wait," and "leave it."
He does lay nicely by your feet. If you enjoy the company of your dog on your couch or bed, he would gladly join you, but we encourage him to respect the furniture.
He is overweight and currently fighting an ear infection, but is otherwise in very good health. Continue to follow his posts until he finds his perfect people. Maybe it's you.
Like all RAGOM dogs, Dino is vetted, and any known health issues are disclosed. If you would like to sponsor Dino or help other dogs find their perfect family, click on his "Sponsor" button to make your donation.
