Rufus 21-018
Profile
At a Glance #21-018
| Golden Retriever | Born: September 2018 |
| Male | 60 lbs |
Status: Adopted
Profile
Updates
Sunday, June 27, 2021
After a roller coaster start to life, Rufus has now been adopted and will never have those worries again. His new owner is kind and patient, and Rufus is already very much adored and loved. Rufus will be safe and cared for. Together, they will enjoy life’s adventures. The bond of a man and his dog makes for great companionship!
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Whenever I am able to get Rufus out of boarding, I like to find ways to keep his focus on me while we have fun and get some well needed exercise. We like to create our own mini obstacle courses. When we come across a tree stump, park bench, large rocks, or a picnic table I say, “Come on up!” He thinks it’s fun and now he often does it on his own. Sometimes I treat; sometimes I hand out some love.
I also like to work on his recall. He has gotten very good at “Come.” I usually use a food reward, and it works great!
Sometimes it’s just nice to meander and let Rufus do what he likes to do. A long leash works great for this. He really loves the water too!
I am very proud of the progress Rufus has made, and he is proud of himself too! Rufus would love to meander, be close with you, and make you proud. Is this handsome guy the one for you?
Monday, May 31, 2021
Rufus is still staying at a boarding facility. He is doing ok with his living arrangements. He enjoys the visitors and his outings. The staff report the hardest thing is having so many dogs walk by his space. We sure wish we could find him a home of his own soon!
On previous posts, I have explained what Rufus would need for a good home, and his quirks. Now, I would like to start showing you some of the things Rufus loves!
On a recent rainy day, I really wanted to spend some time with Rufus. So, Rufus convinced a friend of mine that we should ride over for a visit. Rufus loves a car ride, and he rides like a champ. He loves to lie down while watching out the window.
Rufus loves the home life! It was so much fun to see Rufus off a leash, in a home, and being free to enjoy himself. He learns so quickly too. I only needed to show him once and he knew the water dish, treat jar, and the door and process to go potty outside.
Rufus loves relaxation time. He loves companionship with his human friends, he even loves to sit on their lap. Rufus also loves to chew bones. He can’t have them while in boarding, due to choking risks, so this is a real treat!
Are you ready to show handsome Rufus (and his ball) a little love?
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Rufus is a Golden Retriever mix, likely with a cattle dog of some sort, hence his enjoyment of long walks in the tall grass. He is smart and well trained; he knows all the doggy circus tricks. He thrives on engaging with his people and being interactive with them. He does very well with that focus.
Rufus is unsure about new things which is understandable with the instability in his life. That, coupled with those herding/hunting traits, means Rufus should stay on leash and have the humans help him manage his behavior and keep him safe. This video show how excited Rufus gets to hunt and chase. If he wasn’t on leash, he would be in the pond!
For another example, when Rufus notices a person biking or jogging on the road, he starts a hard stare with a lot of focus. He thinks he should bark and chase, BUT...with a quick call of his name he comes right over and he is very easily redirected to a sit and a treat.
He does this for pretty much anything new. It is important to redirect to a more appropriate choice and it is wonderful that he redirects so nicely. With enough practice, we can hope it becomes a more go to behavior.
On a beautiful day, Rufus and I joined another RAGOM volunteer and her dog, Wrigley, for an adventure. What a nice way to spend time together and get to know Rufus!
These videos with Wrigley are their fourth walk together, so Wrigley is no longer new. A slow approach technique made it ok for them to be comfortable together in close proximity. They enjoyed being together. Although, it is best if they don’t play together. From what I have observed, Rufus hasn’t mastered his dog-to-dog communication play skills, and is not always confident or appropriate interacting with other dogs.
Even though it’s possible for Rufus to be near other dogs, it is best to have Rufus be an only dog to help minimize stress and allow Rufus to enjoy relaxation time.
Rufus is such a wonderful, loving, quirky dog. I know he will someday thrive as an only dog to a family that loves to focus on Rufus and include him in their active life.
Now, we need to find this deserving pup a forever home. Can you help?
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Rufus has had little stability in his short life and is now staying at a boarding facility. Our rescue does not have a foster without dogs available right now.
I am amazed at how resilient Rufus is! Rufus is smart. Smart dogs do best with mental and physical stimulation. They like a job to do. He knows his name and will come when called if there are no distractions, and even with distractions he will come if reminded.
He does all the doggy circus tricks: sit, shake paw, lay down, and drop a toy. He likes to carry toys and is gentle with them. He is learning to wait, watch me, leave it, and let’s go. Of course, it is way more fun to work for tasty food!
Rufus does very well walking on a leash. We have used both short and long leads and he works well on both. He likes to walk ahead, but does not pull. He likes to smell, mark, and explore. If you are adventurous, Rufus will be too!
Rufus is affectionate. He loves to be loved, and will give you a gentle paw if he wants some more lovin’.
Rufus is healthy, neutered, crate trained, house trained, and travels well in the car. So, you may be wondering why such a great dog is in rescue, much less staying in a boarding facility? Here is what we know:
- Rufus once lived with a family, but was outside most of the time.
- A Good Samaritan (GS) convinced the family that Rufus deserved more and he was given to the GS.
- Rufus lived about 3 weeks with the family the GS had hoped for and then he was returned to the GS.
- The GS was not able to keep Rufus so he was turned into a shelter. The shelter reports Rufus did fine with a small group of dogs but has fence reactivity to dogs.
- The shelter reached out to RAGOM and Rufus found a foster home.
- Rufus was quickly adopted out to a family with a small child. We do not know exactly what the circumstances were, but Rufus snapped/bit at their child. No skin was broken.
- Rufus was returned and is now staying in boarding.
- Rufus needs to be trained not to chase things and to be redirected to a more positive behavior when other dogs or when new things are nearby. He does better with slow approaches and shouldn’t be trusted, without management, around other dogs.
The great news is Rufus is working with a trainer while in boarding, volunteers come regularly to walk with Rufus so he can relax and get a break from boarding, and Rufus is doing awesome with this plan! We are happy to show you and share with you the ways to continue helping Rufus be the best boy.
Did you notice in the above videos how Rufus can come, sit, watch me, and let’s go? We have been practicing these skills without distractions and he is quickly learning the expectation. We are now practicing with distractions. If there is some distance, maybe 10–15 feet, Rufus can do these skills as a person passes with another dog. Of course, there are fresh-cut turkey bits to make it feel better.
It is well known that rescue dogs are special, all in their own way, and that they need time. Time to learn that they are safe. Time to learn the routines, sounds, and movements of a household. Time to learn they will consistently get food, water, and time to decompress in their own calm, safe place.
Once a dog has time to accomplish this feeling, they can relax a little and begin figuring out how to be their best self.
We know with poor Rufus and his unstable start that it may take more time and work than with most dogs, but he is so worth it. Here is some early proof. In this video, Rufus is at the boarding facility, where dogs are not far away doing their shopping. He chose to be loved and get a belly rub and ignore those dogs. I would love to see Rufus once he is confidently settled into his ‘furever’ home.
Are you up for some satisfaction and pride by being Rufus’s human and life coach? As you can see in his videos, he is a very loving dog that would be an easy joy to have in the house. He will a bit more work out and about, at least for a while, but we’re proving it’s possible to manage new things and other dogs for him.
