Indigo (Rusty 12-367)

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Profile

It is our pleasure to introduce you to Rusty 12-357. Rusty is a young, mahogany Golden boy! He was surrendered in Iowa where he was taken in as a stray four months ago by a lady that has a farm. He was kept outside on the farm and was surrendered because he kept wandering off. Rusty arrived with some wounds to his face and a paw that we were told came from an encounter with a woodchuck on the farm. We were also told he was 2 ½ years old (not sure where that came from) but he looked much younger with a nice mouth of pearly white teeth. The RAGOM vet estimated he is 10 months to a year old. His vet visit was quite positive – his wounds are on the mend and he has no major health issues other than being underweight at 52 pounds. We are working on the weight issue with lots of good chow. Rusty moved right in with our resident pack of four dogs and has shown absolutely no issues with any of them. He seems to watch the resident dogs for clues how to act when it’s time to eat, go outside, etc. We were babysitting a rather large, sassy Persian cat when he arrived who greeted him with some nasty hissing – he took all that in stride and pretty much ignored her. So, we are happy to report he is good with cats! Our 16 month old granddaughter and her 12 year old brother visited over the weekend and he passed that test with flying colors as well – Rusty likes kids! Rusty is in his 5th day in his foster home and hasn’t had one potty accident – we are amazed considering his previous life as a stray and outdoor farm dog. Granted, he is let out regularly with his resident foster pack but this is still amazing. Here a few additional reasons that Rusty is truly an amazing dog:

  • He tolerates being crated
  • He has no resource guarding issues
  • He is quiet (we have only heard him bark once)
  • He is a sweet, mellow fellow that is eager to please
  • And, he seeks out (craves?) human attention

Since Rusty has pretty much raised himself, he has some issues to work on:

  • He is awkward on the leash (we’re working on that)
  • He needs to learn some basic indoor manners like staying off the furniture and what things are toys and what things are not (we are working on those issues, too)
  • And he would benefit from a basic obedience class

Rusty probably should go to a forever home with a fenced yard based on his history as a stray and wandering man. A home with kids and other dogs should be fine based on what we have seen so far.

At a Glance #12-367

Golden Retriever Born: November 2011
Male 60 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

It is our pleasure to introduce you to Rusty 12-357. Rusty is a young, mahogany Golden boy! He was surrendered in Iowa where he was taken in as a stray four months ago by a lady that has a farm. He was kept outside on the farm and was surrendered because he kept wandering off. Rusty arrived with some wounds to his face and a paw that we were told came from an encounter with a woodchuck on the farm. We were also told he was 2 ½ years old (not sure where that came from) but he looked much younger with a nice mouth of pearly white teeth. The RAGOM vet estimated he is 10 months to a year old. His vet visit was quite positive – his wounds are on the mend and he has no major health issues other than being underweight at 52 pounds. We are working on the weight issue with lots of good chow. Rusty moved right in with our resident pack of four dogs and has shown absolutely no issues with any of them. He seems to watch the resident dogs for clues how to act when it’s time to eat, go outside, etc. We were babysitting a rather large, sassy Persian cat when he arrived who greeted him with some nasty hissing – he took all that in stride and pretty much ignored her. So, we are happy to report he is good with cats! Our 16 month old granddaughter and her 12 year old brother visited over the weekend and he passed that test with flying colors as well – Rusty likes kids! Rusty is in his 5th day in his foster home and hasn’t had one potty accident – we are amazed considering his previous life as a stray and outdoor farm dog. Granted, he is let out regularly with his resident foster pack but this is still amazing. Here a few additional reasons that Rusty is truly an amazing dog:

  • He tolerates being crated
  • He has no resource guarding issues
  • He is quiet (we have only heard him bark once)
  • He is a sweet, mellow fellow that is eager to please
  • And, he seeks out (craves?) human attention

Since Rusty has pretty much raised himself, he has some issues to work on:

  • He is awkward on the leash (we’re working on that)
  • He needs to learn some basic indoor manners like staying off the furniture and what things are toys and what things are not (we are working on those issues, too)
  • And he would benefit from a basic obedience class

Rusty probably should go to a forever home with a fenced yard based on his history as a stray and wandering man. A home with kids and other dogs should be fine based on what we have seen so far.

Updates

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Rusty has been in his foster home for a week now and is making great progress. Only one week and Rusty loves indoor life!

He is making progress in learning what things are dog toys and what are not – stuffed animals and bones are toys, dirty laundry and Mom’s shoes are not. We have been trading inappropriate “toys” for acceptable dog toys and he is so eager to please and get attention that he is learning fast.

In spite of the fact Rusty received almost no human attention in his previous situation, he can’t get enough now. Rusty has learned a new game and loves it – Chuck-It in the back yard with his new foster brother and sister.

House training - wow what a fast learner! He has been indoors for a week with no accidents! We crate him when we are gone – he is not crazy about being crated but tolerates it quite well. He was crated over 4 hours last week while foster dad worked and handled it well. 

We are working with Rusty on appropriate front door greetings. He comes to the door happy, tail wagging but will try to push through you like a bulldozer to greet whoever is at the door – this is a work in progress. His new forever family should probably get him enrolled in a basic obedience class. We are also working on “sit” before his food is placed down and “off” when he jumps on inappropriate things like the couch and chairs (and humans).

Rusty had a half hour car ride to the RAGOM meet and greet at the Country Feed Store in Rochester – he got a little car sick on the way in… We will start short rides with him next week to get him more acclimated to car rides - hopefully this improves. Rusty spent the entire event charming everyone that came! He hasn’t met anyone he doesn’t love. Good Boy Rusty!