Happy New Year!

Rocky took another big trip with his foster family to Milwaukee for a week. With a little help from his trazodone medication, Rocky did excellently during the 5-plus-hour drive. Rocky settled in fairly well to the rented Airbnb. He's starting to like life on the road.

However, due to some unexpected neighborhood issues, we abruptly moved to another location on day 2. Poor Rocky was so concerned during this stressful time. As a foster, it breaks your heart, not being able to tell your furry friend directly, "It's going to be okay," in the same language. To our surprise, the new Airbnb location was even better for Rocky. It was small, yet cozy with an open floor plan. Rocky loves being able to keep an eye on all the action.

We couldn't be more proud to share that Rocky helped to entertain a small group of people and two children, one being a toddler and the other just under 1 years old. After the initial introduction, Rocky remained on his bed through the evening as we opened belated holiday gifts and spent time giggling over the kids' entertainment. Rocky tolerated supervised toddler pets and loved getting extra treats for his outstanding behavior. 

This weekend, we were back in Minneapolis and enjoyed getting out and about in the neighborhood. Rocky loves his local parks! On Sunday, we took a day trip to Lake Maria State Park and went snowshoeing for 2.5 hours, and Rocky was a champ. He desperately tries to tear off the booties, but eventually gives up because he knows they're his only saving grace in the snow. 

With every new adventure we go on, we learn something new about Rocky. We've said it before and will say it again: he's one loyal dog. We don't know why he had a history of aggression, but with each day that goes by, we see him grow into a tremendous companion and friend. Please consider adopting this special guy!

Hello, potential adopters. Rocky here with a December update...

First of all, thank goodness for some snow yesterday. I love that white, sparkly stuff! A light dusting is the best - just enough to grease up my paws, but not enough to have to wear those booties.

My fosters and I had a busy weekend. We dropped off some holiday goodies for some human friends in the burbs, and I was a really good travel companion. We checked out a new park, which sometimes makes me anxious. I still remained on my best behavior as we passed other furry friends, but I really just like getting back to the car so I know I'm heading home. I guess they call me a homebody!

Last week, I had my annual behavioral evaluation and routine vet visit, and they both went great! I'm a healthy, well-behaved 4-year-old boy! Maybe I've been a little too  good, because now they have me on a diet! I blame my fosters, as they're just not used to being home all the time and they love me so much and all my tricks. These have been the positives to this pandemic - more time with my fosters and more delicious treats!

My foster parents left me in August and November with some newbies: Aunt Holly and my foster grandparents! Wow, did these people love me, and I look forward to their visits again. 

I regret to say that I had a tough spring due to some new symptoms. Sometimes when I lay on the hardwood floor, I start paddling my legs. My fosters say that I look like I'm paddling through water while I sleep. Sometimes I even stick out my tongue and lick. 

My fosters were pretty worried and started tracking my sleep episodes around the clock. They worked with my behaviorist and trialed several medications, but none seemed to change my habits. They also consulted a neurologist, who agreed my symptoms are abnormal, but not epileptic in nature. 

So, for now, we call my episodes "sleep disturbances," as I always snap out of them quickly. My fosters just have to wake me or say the word "treat" and I'm the out of my trance. These sleep disturbances were occurring pretty frequently throughout the spring and summer, but since the fall, I seem to be doing well. Maybe it's the weather - who knows.

Well, I hope this has been some exciting reading. Life is pretty good, but i'd really like to meet a family that loves to be at home as much as I do, I hope to meet you soon!

Happy Holidays,

Rocky

Where does the summer go?! Rocky has been keeping busy with lots of summer hikes and cool dips wherever he can. He loves to swim for sticks! He also enjoys backyard barbecues and evening bonfires with his humans.

After successfully completing his course at Canine Coach, he's been showing off all his patience skills around the neighborhood. Rocky has a few favorite neighbor dogs that he loves to visit and is always on his best behavior.

Rocky has adjusted well to an adult roommate that moved into his fosters' home. They've spent weekends together while his fosters have been to dog-free cabins (how silly is that?). Rocky's new friend cannot say enough good things about his dog-sitting adventures.

Rocky continues to be the highlight of his fosters' day. As much as we wish we could keep him, we know there's a special family waiting to fall in love with this little sweetie! 

Rocky celebrated his third birthday surrounded by RAGOM family and friends! He was extremely spoiled with presents and treats; he definitely ate well his entire birthday week. Rocky is one popular boy who has won over the hearts of many RAGOM volunteers!

We are learning what spring fever looks like for Rocky; he’s estactic to be outside and loves to play or lay in the park with a nice dirty stick! Although he’s not much of a retriever, he’ll entertain his foster mom or foster dad for a short period as they toss a stick around. Rocky seems to get hot quickly, so we’re sure he’ll love getting into any of our 10,000 lakes when the weather warms up. 

Rocky’s foster home is in a neighborhood with many other dogs, which has been a bit challenging at times (he gets overly excited and sometimes vocal at the sight of these furry friends). However, with the help of the Gentle Leader and a pouch full of treats, he is making great strides and learning to respect other dogs in their yards and on walks with their humans.

Rocky continues to do great in our household, largely because of ongoing management and training sessions. Rocky loves special treats and therefore continues to be an eager learner.

Currently, we are working on calming techniques, controlling his barking tendencies, and learning “place." Rocky gets very excited and jumpy with visiting friends, but lacks the social cues of personal space and dress clothes. By learning "place," we hope Rocky can feel safe and comfortable, and calmly enjoy a special Kong or treat while friends and family first settle into our home.

Rocky loves his RAGOM family, but he’s ready for his forever family to adopt him and love him up! Rocky is an incredible dog, one not to pass on!

It's been an exciting couple of weeks for team Rocky.

Rocky has successfully worked through all of the counterconditioning steps outlined in the book Mine! by Jean Donaldson, with a lathered peanut butter jar. Rocky easily surrendered the peanut butter jar after spontaneous placements throughout the house, which is a huge feat, and we are so proud of his progress. Rocky is very food-motivated and loves ham!

In addition, Rocky breezed through the last month without any resource guarding of his treat toys or food dispensers. Counter-surfing was at a minimum. Rocky even earned the privilege of having his Kong in his kennel for short periods (3-4 hrs) without any issues.

Rocky has always had high regards for his yellow food scoop, but recently, he's shown significant self-control between feeding intervals. Rocky no longer jumps up to obtain the contents inside, but simply waits patiently next to the scoop with focused eyes. What a good boy!

Rocky is such a smarty; with continued training, repetition, and time, he will surely make one well-mannered dog!