Joe 13-113

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Profile

May 2, 2013
Joe has been a country boy all his life and probably had a pretty good deal going.  He developed two bad habits in the country.  First, he did not have enough respect for cars and he has been hit a few times. He does have a slight deformation on his left front leg, but it doesn't slow him down one bit.  Joe is a very playful young golden and he got a bit carried away playing with the chickens on the farm.  This was the final straw that caused him to be surrendered to RAGOM.

As I said, Joe is a country boy.  In fact, I don't believe he had ever been inside a house before.  I actually had to carry him into the house the first night.  It took two tries to get him through the doorway.  Joe met the resident pack with no difficulties.  He took a special shine to my young resident female.

Joe is not neutered nor is he up to date on vaccinations.  I would estimate that he is about 70 pounds and is probably just about right the size that he is.  Joe is only going to be here for a short while until he gets a transport to his full time foster family.  Once there he will have his neuter surgery and get all of his vaccinations.

Joe is warming up nicely to life inside.  He goes in and out the patio door with the resident dogs, but he has not ventured past the kitchen into the rest of the house.  He is not house trained, but I suspect he will be a fast learner. He loves to play.  He loves to be brushed and he let me trim his nails without incident.

We will get another update as we get to know this beautiful boy, but I wanted to let you all see his handsome face as soon as possible.

At a Glance #13-113

Golden Retriever Born: March 2012
Male Weight not specified

Status: Adopted

Profile

May 2, 2013
Joe has been a country boy all his life and probably had a pretty good deal going.  He developed two bad habits in the country.  First, he did not have enough respect for cars and he has been hit a few times. He does have a slight deformation on his left front leg, but it doesn't slow him down one bit.  Joe is a very playful young golden and he got a bit carried away playing with the chickens on the farm.  This was the final straw that caused him to be surrendered to RAGOM.

As I said, Joe is a country boy.  In fact, I don't believe he had ever been inside a house before.  I actually had to carry him into the house the first night.  It took two tries to get him through the doorway.  Joe met the resident pack with no difficulties.  He took a special shine to my young resident female.

Joe is not neutered nor is he up to date on vaccinations.  I would estimate that he is about 70 pounds and is probably just about right the size that he is.  Joe is only going to be here for a short while until he gets a transport to his full time foster family.  Once there he will have his neuter surgery and get all of his vaccinations.

Joe is warming up nicely to life inside.  He goes in and out the patio door with the resident dogs, but he has not ventured past the kitchen into the rest of the house.  He is not house trained, but I suspect he will be a fast learner. He loves to play.  He loves to be brushed and he let me trim his nails without incident.

We will get another update as we get to know this beautiful boy, but I wanted to let you all see his handsome face as soon as possible.

Updates

Friday, May 31, 2013

Joe is one smart boy! It seems that whatever we work on, he picks up quickly. He has been doing wonderfully with the housetraining - no accidents for a week and he now has earned free roam (when we are home). The boy loves his water, so we do start keeping a closer eye after about an hour of being inside. We also want him to be able to “hold it” for a few hours, so we let him out after 2-4 hours and praise him for his success! He starts to get antsy when he has to go outside. Joe is quiet in his kennel for up to 9 hours at night. Much appreciated by his foster humans! Our resident dog sleeps in her kennel right next to Joe.


Joe's favorite outdoor watering hole


When he came to us, Joe didn’t know what to do with a ball. Now he loves to play fetch - sometimes by himself (he throws the ball, runs to get it, and comes back to his original spot; very fun to watch). He is pretty good at dropping the ball when we ask him to. He isn’t ball or toy obsessed, but just enjoys these new things. His personality overall is pretty mellow, although he can be an alpha male around other dogs. Joe runs and gets very excited in the backyard with our resident dog (RD), but inside he really relaxes. His favorite spot to rest is on the hearth; it is central so he can see what is going on, but also cool.


Tired after fetching the ball


Joe isn’t exactly a Velcro dog, but he often searches for me (FM), comes for some rubs and then goes to find a toy or his cool spot. He is becoming a very easy dog to have around. He loves our full house of five kids, as there is always someone to love him up.

Our walks are becoming more enjoyable (for his FM!). Still using the Martingale-type collar, and when he pulls I pull back a tad and stop. He is learning that pulling doesn’t get him to move forward to the enticing scents he loves. Every time we pass people and especially kids, Joe likes to stop and watch. Undoubtedly waiting for some rubs and a “hello.” My goal is to have a loose leash, not a perfect heel.

Other inside manners we are working on include sitting and waiting before eating or going outside (or getting out of his kennel). Joe is an excellent student! He doesn’t counter surf and respects our RD when she has a bone.

So what do we feel Joe needs in his new home?

  • He has good recall, and with more training, I don’t feel a fence is necessary. Someone with experience with this would be a bonus.
  • Joe does not need another dog - although he loves playing with our resident dog, people are his main attraction.
  • I would like to see him with a family where he wouldn’t be left alone all day. We want to keep him moving forward with his training and this would be best with some attention throughout the day.
  • A family committed to continuing his training using positive methods. Joe can be timid and if we raise our voices (as we have at our RD), he appears uncomfortable. A heavy hand (or voice) would be very detrimental to this gentle soul.

This happy and smart fellow really deserves a loving forever family. If you feel ready to meet Joe, please notify your placement advisor.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Great news! The orthopedic vet said Joe is “good to go!” No medical interventions are needed since the X-rays of his leg and elbow look good and he isn’t showing any signs of pain or stiffness. You may recall that he was hit by a car a few times while living on a farm. I didn’t mention in my last update that Joe weighs 62 pounds, and is on the lean side. With all that fluffy fur, he appears bigger than he really is!

Joe’s favorite activities are playing tug-o-war with our resident dog (RD), being loved, and now walking! He discovered that there are many interesting scents out there. He doesn’t really like to walk on the sidewalk, but instead on the grass (while I walk on the sidewalk). Joe doesn’t quite know what to do with a ball. He likes to carry things around in his mouth, but that doesn’t last long, for our RD will try to take it away and another game of tug-o-war ensues! Joe is very good at listening when I say “drop it.” He can be a bit timid.

Housetraining is still coming along. I am basically treating him like the puppy he is, so he is either with me or in his crate. Although not a chewer, with too much freedom he has gone potty a couple of times in the past week. This was my fault for getting too lax, too soon. Considering he was a farm dog with complete outdoor freedom, he is doing wonderfully. We see no resource guarding, and he doesn’t have storm anxieties or problems with loud noises (vacuum, juicer etc).

This boy has the classic Golden temperament, and often leans in for more rubs or gives us the “Golden paw.” He will make a wonderful addition to someone’s family, so do contact your placement advisor if interested!


Looking for that friendly neighbor lady


Joe with the resident cat

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Who has great looks and a personality to match? Joe! This dog is so gentle, sweet, loves kids and other dogs, and is very handsome. He enjoys being by people of all ages, and met our resident dog wonderfully. He is fine but curious with our cat. Just today he met a puppy down the block, and didn’t want to leave.

Joe has been through many changes in the past few weeks, making his way to our home. He was an outdoor-only dog, and is adjusting very well. He is learning quickly how to be a wonderful member of the family. Joe is now crate trained, and doing well with the leash in the house or backyard. He pulls in various directions on the sidewalk, and so we will be working on that. Currently we are using a Martingale-type collar.

He had some marking instances, which is common for an un-neutered dog. I have been tethering him to me while inside, and going outside frequently for potty breaks. This is working well. Joe is now neutered and microchipped, received his flea and tick medication, is negative for parasites and heartworm. He is being treated for a minor ear infection. We are waiting for word on the xrays that were taken on his front left leg. The orthopedic vet will help determine what, if anything, should occur.

Joe knows “sit,” takes treats so gently, and has good recall. He definitely knows his name! He should have a fence, and would love to have a family with kids. Another resident dog would be great, as he has learned a lot from our dog and follows her lead. Joe loves to be brushed, the bath not so much, but he tolerated it without protest. His feathering is stunning. What a gorgeous dog!

This boy will make an awesome addition to whatever lucky family he joins; Joe is now ready to meet his forever family


Joe loves being brushed.


Joe loves kids!


Golden Retriever or teddy bear?! Joe with our resident dog.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Joe was only with us for two weeks but in that time he gained a lot of confidence running with my pack of dogs.  He learned quickly to play and that being in the house wasn't such a bad thing.  He decided that he really liked treats. Joe is a very energetic boy, but he really wants to please.  He knows how to sit and he knows lay down.  He is not very good on a leash and he has had a few instances of marking, but he is making improvements in both areas.

On Wednesday we had a little extra time before we had to hit the road to meet Joe's full time foster family so we stopped by the lake.  Joe wasn't really sure what to do so he just sat down in the water.  I honestly think he would have stayed there all day just watching the world go by.

Joe is a very gentle and happy boy.  I know he will be loved by his new foster family and soon he will have a forever home of his very own.