Fergie 13-308

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October 8, 2013 — Say Hello to friendly, funny, fabulous Fergie!
This 7-month-old puppy required more time than her original family had to spend with her. So now she's in RAGOM, looking for someone who'll make sure she grows up to be the very best dog possible.
Affectionate and snuggly, Fergie would spend an hour in your lap if you allowed it. She readily approaches strangers, and is not overly timid of odd things or loud noises. She gets along with other dogs, and though she's curious about my cats and has snuffled them a couple times, she doesn't appear to think of them as prey.
Some may mistakenly think Fergie's a mix because of her white chest and toes, but she's all Golden. It's not uncommon for purebred Golden Retrievers to have a splash of white here and there, although it might be considered a fault in the show ring. Faults, schmaults, says Fergie. She's got the Golden personality through and through, which is what counts most.
This puppy has no serious bad habits. She doesn't guard toys or food. She's wiggly in the car but doesn't mind going for rides. She takes treats gently. She likes kids, men and women equally well. She settles down in a crate fairly quickly, although she needs strong incentive to go into it. Fergie will need to be reconditioned to the crate with high-value treats tossed inside, so entering it becomes something she wants to do.
Fergie has had two accidents in the house. She doesn't seem to understand yet that when the pack goes outside, it's potty time. Plus, she seems to prefer that I'm with her in the yard when she does her business. She is on the submissive side and may still be too nervous in this new yard--redolent with the scent of my two male dogs--to pee freely. I suspect she'll relax as time goes by.
At 42 pounds, Fergie is a healthy growing girl. Her wellness check this afternoon revealed a minor infection in both ears. She'll need drops for the next two weeks. Otherwise, she's the picture of health. The vet did not see any external indications of hip or elbow dysplasia. Her heart sounds fine and her eyes look great.
What Fergie needs most is an education. She needs a family who will commit to taking her to obedience classes and teaching her all the commands that make a dog a pleasure to live with--especially a rock-solid "Sit," "Down," and "Stay." Learning these commands will help Fergie break her habit of jumping up on people.
Fergie can be a squirmy, twisty unpredictable handful, and she got away from me as I was loading her into my car. I'm on RAGOM's Lost Dog Rapid Response Team, so imagine my alarm as I watched her scamper out the garage and down the driveway. She made a couple of playful loops at the end of the driveway, and when I sat down and called for her in a happy voice, she came back and allowed me to catch her. Good girl, Fergie!
A shy greeting for resident adult, Chaz.

Given that she is not a straight-line runner like some loose dogs, I think Fergie will be fine in a home without a fence, provided she's allowed to run and play at a dog park or other fenced location. Otherwise, for her safety, she should always be on a leash when near cars or other hazards. Because she's so active, she would not do well on a tie-out, even for a short amount of time.What does Fergie's perfect home look like?

  • Though not necessary, another dog in the home would be fine. Perhaps not a senior who may not appreciate her puppy antics.
  • Cats are OK.
  • Kids are fine, too, as long as her family works immediately on teaching her not to jump.
  • No fence required.
  • Someone home at least part of the work day. Fergie would not do well in a crate for a full 8-hour day, and she cannot yet be trusted with free roam of a house.

Fergie would make a great choice for a first-time owner, as long as they realize how much a dog--especially a puppy--can alter someone's lifestyle. Add up the time you'll spend in training, at the dog park, walking, grooming, cleaning up after and caring for a young dog, and it's a life changer.
Still, Fergie is the kind of dog who's worth changing your life for. I'm certain she will bond to her new people with a Golden Retriever's unshakable devotion. Once her education is complete and she matures into a calmer adult, she will be an amazing companion.
Fergie is a wait list dog, and I don't expect to have her long. She can begin meeting prospective families in few days, and can go to her forever home after she recovers from her spay surgery on October 15.
I'll enjoy the days that I have with her--and be just a little relieved when her full-time forever family takes over!
   Pretty Fergie.

 

At a Glance #13-308

Golden Retriever Born: March 2013
Female 40 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

October 8, 2013 — Say Hello to friendly, funny, fabulous Fergie!
This 7-month-old puppy required more time than her original family had to spend with her. So now she's in RAGOM, looking for someone who'll make sure she grows up to be the very best dog possible.
Affectionate and snuggly, Fergie would spend an hour in your lap if you allowed it. She readily approaches strangers, and is not overly timid of odd things or loud noises. She gets along with other dogs, and though she's curious about my cats and has snuffled them a couple times, she doesn't appear to think of them as prey.
Some may mistakenly think Fergie's a mix because of her white chest and toes, but she's all Golden. It's not uncommon for purebred Golden Retrievers to have a splash of white here and there, although it might be considered a fault in the show ring. Faults, schmaults, says Fergie. She's got the Golden personality through and through, which is what counts most.
This puppy has no serious bad habits. She doesn't guard toys or food. She's wiggly in the car but doesn't mind going for rides. She takes treats gently. She likes kids, men and women equally well. She settles down in a crate fairly quickly, although she needs strong incentive to go into it. Fergie will need to be reconditioned to the crate with high-value treats tossed inside, so entering it becomes something she wants to do.
Fergie has had two accidents in the house. She doesn't seem to understand yet that when the pack goes outside, it's potty time. Plus, she seems to prefer that I'm with her in the yard when she does her business. She is on the submissive side and may still be too nervous in this new yard--redolent with the scent of my two male dogs--to pee freely. I suspect she'll relax as time goes by.
At 42 pounds, Fergie is a healthy growing girl. Her wellness check this afternoon revealed a minor infection in both ears. She'll need drops for the next two weeks. Otherwise, she's the picture of health. The vet did not see any external indications of hip or elbow dysplasia. Her heart sounds fine and her eyes look great.
What Fergie needs most is an education. She needs a family who will commit to taking her to obedience classes and teaching her all the commands that make a dog a pleasure to live with--especially a rock-solid "Sit," "Down," and "Stay." Learning these commands will help Fergie break her habit of jumping up on people.
Fergie can be a squirmy, twisty unpredictable handful, and she got away from me as I was loading her into my car. I'm on RAGOM's Lost Dog Rapid Response Team, so imagine my alarm as I watched her scamper out the garage and down the driveway. She made a couple of playful loops at the end of the driveway, and when I sat down and called for her in a happy voice, she came back and allowed me to catch her. Good girl, Fergie!
A shy greeting for resident adult, Chaz.

Given that she is not a straight-line runner like some loose dogs, I think Fergie will be fine in a home without a fence, provided she's allowed to run and play at a dog park or other fenced location. Otherwise, for her safety, she should always be on a leash when near cars or other hazards. Because she's so active, she would not do well on a tie-out, even for a short amount of time.What does Fergie's perfect home look like?

  • Though not necessary, another dog in the home would be fine. Perhaps not a senior who may not appreciate her puppy antics.
  • Cats are OK.
  • Kids are fine, too, as long as her family works immediately on teaching her not to jump.
  • No fence required.
  • Someone home at least part of the work day. Fergie would not do well in a crate for a full 8-hour day, and she cannot yet be trusted with free roam of a house.

Fergie would make a great choice for a first-time owner, as long as they realize how much a dog--especially a puppy--can alter someone's lifestyle. Add up the time you'll spend in training, at the dog park, walking, grooming, cleaning up after and caring for a young dog, and it's a life changer.
Still, Fergie is the kind of dog who's worth changing your life for. I'm certain she will bond to her new people with a Golden Retriever's unshakable devotion. Once her education is complete and she matures into a calmer adult, she will be an amazing companion.
Fergie is a wait list dog, and I don't expect to have her long. She can begin meeting prospective families in few days, and can go to her forever home after she recovers from her spay surgery on October 15.
I'll enjoy the days that I have with her--and be just a little relieved when her full-time forever family takes over!
   Pretty Fergie.

 

Updates

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Friendly Fergie found a fabulous forever family!

Miss Ferguson will have three two-legged kids to play with, along with a RAGOM sister, Leia (formerly Harriet 09-296), and a big fenced yard to romp in.

With her new adoptive mom home all day to teach her proper etiquette, she'll quickly understand that it's impolite to jump up on strangers and French kiss them, that one shouldn't pull on the leash like a plough horse, and that a lady always goes outside--never inside--to powder her nose.

Farewell, funny Fergie! Enjoy your wonderful new life! I hope to see you again soon and often.

 

Fergie's fabulous forever family!