January 16, 2013

Jackson joined RAGOM last week after his owner was hospitalized and unable to care for him, Lily and Daisy any more. He just turned 6 on Jan 1st. We didn't get any paperwork or know his history like a normal surrender from a family, so what we learn about him during fostering we will share with you all. He rode great in the car from his long transport, but didn't like when we dropped off Daisy at her foster home. When we arrived home, he met Res GR Tyson and Chance (12-021) without any issues. He is a big boy, we thought maybe pushing 100 pounds, but the vet confirmed he weighs 105! Jackson has more hair than I have every seen on a dog or a Golden Retriever anyway. He has a nice long blond, golden coat that we are working the extra shed hair and clumps out. He is finding he doesn't mind being brushed and petted in the evening. He is a big sweetheart and tends to be playful with the other boys. He plays good and hard for about 3-5 minutes, then plops to the ground and does this flaying like move where he will fight whatever comes in contact with him. It's more like a passive play fight or he is scratching his back - ha!

When we were at the vet, he confirmed Jackson has a bad ear infection. We have been cleaning his ears and adding ointment. The left ear was better by the time of the vet appointment. Jackson barks at the site of the Epi-otic ear cleaning bottle, so we have to be sneaky like adding it to a towel then clean out. He really likes afterwards when he gets lots of ear rubs. The vet said his heart and lungs are fine and no signs of joint issues. We did have him tested for thyroid levels and it didn't record at all on the test. Since, his thyroid is so low, he needs one pill a day to raise his levels which will also help him to lose weight. Jackson has a good appetite, but doesn't eat too much or beg for snacks, so this made me wonder about his thyroid condition. We have been giving him green beans and fruit for snacks and in his meals. He doesn't like raw carrots.

He does pull hard on the leash, but does better when kept close to my side for walking. He jumps in the car just fine and rides well, although he wants to climb into the front seat. We are working on him knowing more commands - come, no, stay, etc. He knows sit and has quickly learned "treat". He has a habit of barking when he goes outside, as to announce himself or when the neighbor hairballs are constantly barking. We are telling him no bark, but still needs work. He also barks at his image in the window or patio door - as if another dog is around. Lastly, he barks when he isn't getting the attention - jealousy - my boys display their jealousy by nudging their way into FM or FD's lap or sitting on the other to get closer. So, we are figuring out Jackson's triggers for reducing his barking, like when we walk outside with him to go potty, he doesn't bark vs when we watch from the patio door.

Jackson wants to be playful and has tried to jump up on us when he is excited - that's a big boy to be jumping up. He responds quickly by getting down. He still mouths when excited and we are working on stopping this behavior; therefore, would be cautious of adopting him to a family with small children. He plays great with our boys, even though I get nervous when he plays with Chance, who is all of 60 pounds of muscle, Chance handles himself well. They play this game of talking the ball out of each other's mouth. In past foster right ups, I have mentioned Chance is a bit of a psycho for his ball, he isn't afraid to take his ball from another dog.

Jackson was raised with other dogs and will probably do best in a home with another large dog. His adoptive family will need to take him to obedience training, so he can be a great housemate.  He does fine with babygates during the day when we are at work and hasn't had any potty issues in the house.