Riley 05-163

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9/21/05: Riley has returned to RAGOM after an unsuccessful adoption. Riley is high energy and strong-minded and therefore requires someone who will keep up with Riley's training/be consistent in correcting Riley when he breaks the rules. Riley is extremely treat oriented - and his skinny fur butt will plop down so hard in his hurry to sit that I'm afraid he will bruise his bones; however, we are working on training without treat motivation. We were told Riley has seizures and was put on phenobarbital. However, the reported seizures appear to consist only of mouth chattering - not a fast chatter, but as though her were chewing something. Riley remains aware and active and still responds to commands (especially treats) while having the "chattering" episodes. These episodes last about 15-30 seconds. Riley's episodes have decreased significantly and now rarely occur as he has settled into his foster home. Riley has been staying in his crate while his people are at work (about 10 hours) but typically gets a stretch break during the lunch hour. Riley still responds to "come" and knows "sit" and is starting to know "lay down". Riley likes to fetch, catch Frisbees and is fast and agile. Riley sleeps on the floor alongside the bed. More to come as Riley settles in.

RileyRiley stops to smell the roses - or leaves

At a Glance #05-163

Golden Retriever Born: March 2006
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

9/21/05: Riley has returned to RAGOM after an unsuccessful adoption. Riley is high energy and strong-minded and therefore requires someone who will keep up with Riley's training/be consistent in correcting Riley when he breaks the rules. Riley is extremely treat oriented - and his skinny fur butt will plop down so hard in his hurry to sit that I'm afraid he will bruise his bones; however, we are working on training without treat motivation. We were told Riley has seizures and was put on phenobarbital. However, the reported seizures appear to consist only of mouth chattering - not a fast chatter, but as though her were chewing something. Riley remains aware and active and still responds to commands (especially treats) while having the "chattering" episodes. These episodes last about 15-30 seconds. Riley's episodes have decreased significantly and now rarely occur as he has settled into his foster home. Riley has been staying in his crate while his people are at work (about 10 hours) but typically gets a stretch break during the lunch hour. Riley still responds to "come" and knows "sit" and is starting to know "lay down". Riley likes to fetch, catch Frisbees and is fast and agile. Riley sleeps on the floor alongside the bed. More to come as Riley settles in.

RileyRiley stops to smell the roses - or leaves

Updates

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Riley just keeps impressing me more and more all the time.

He has settled down so much, a night and day difference from when I picked him up. And is sooo smart and eager to please!

Altho still puppy energy, it is now a controlled energy. He will be out in the yard playing with the other dogs, then will stop and come and “check in with you” frequently (which would be great at a dog park)..or I will call him, and have him sit or stay or shake…. Pet him on the head and tell him to “go play” and he is off again!

He walks right in the kennel now when it is time to go to work, and is quiet. When loose in the house he will play with his toys and the other dogs, but if you get up and go somewhere he will just follow you room to room. He was on the couch once and a simple “Riley off” and he hopped down. We can take anything away from him, including food, hooves, toys with no grumbles what so ever, and we try to do that often (call him, or approach him, say give, when released praise him and give the item back, he now understands that if he gives up the item, he will get it… or praise in return and he is fine with that.

Over the weekend we had 8 dogs (6 of which were goldens …funny enough that 3 were named Riley), my mom, baby (6 months) and myself….and this is how our weekend looked…(see picture below) - they all played together, and nicely at that!

Paws still crossed for finding a great home for Mr. Riley!

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Hello all!

Riley has been with us for going on 2 weeks. He was quite the “wild child” when we first picked him up, but by being patient, persistent, and consistent, it is really starting to pay off and he is settling in nicely. We have been working on his commands and manners. Commands he knows are: sit, off, down, “eh-eh”, easy/gentle (for taking treats) and readily comes when called. Commands we are working on are: give, kennel, settle, stay (we have a lot of energy to maintain this one too long!).

Things he needs to understand and work on:

1) Sharing with other dogs- he has been good with our dogs, but tends to take anything they have, away from them. One time Jazz did grumble when Riley tried to take his stick. Riley backed off immediately, and went and found something else to play with.

2) Just because you can reach it doesn’t mean you can have it- he has really improved on this- a simple “eh eh” or “that’s not yours” is enough to stop him.

3) If you want me to play fetch, you have to give me the ball! He will play fetch with anything you throw (stick, ball, kong, tug toy), but needs to be asked to sit before you can get the item from him. Otherwise he runs up to you and then runs away when you grab for the item, with the look of “come on!!! Chase me!!!!”

He absolutely loves Tennis balls (well, any ball really---go figure!) as well as nylabones, rope bones, kongs, and hard bones. He walks nicely with a Gentle Leader, but like most dogs would rather have it off! He has a fine coat, small body structure (45 lbs.), a very loving sweet personality. When outside playing, his nose is almost always to the ground, checking out to see who has passed through the yard. His stamina and activity level would be great for hunting, jogging companion as well as agility and/or flyball (he could out run any Boarder Collie, and is very agile!!). He is very smart and catches on easily. He may be too much energy for toddlers and young children (depending on the child). But, as with any puppy, will mellow!

He is currently kenneled when we are at work. When we get home, he goes outside and plays with the other dogs for a good 20 minutes before coming in the house. Once in the house usually he is just playing with toys, and snooping around. Occasionally I find him with something he shouldn’t have. This is easily remedied by taking the wrong item away and giving a correct item to play with. Before he would run away with it, but now you can walk right up to him and take the item from him, and/or swap for something more dog appropriate.

His seizures (mouth chatters) only seem to happen when he is overly excited, i.e. after being kenneled all-day and eager to go outside and play. He has on occasion been left loose in the bedroom while I slept… after finding “His spot” has been very good. He has not tried to get on the couch or chairs but will hop up on the bed. A simple “off” and he hops down. Has been fine loose upstairs while being carefully watched.

I’m not sure how he is with cats, but every dogs needs to learn that kitties are not squeaky toys. He will bark at the neighbor dog once or twice, usually only if the other dog barks first. The other neighbor dogs are out very often and Riley basically ignores them. With some obedience training and time and patience, he will make a wonderful family member.