I have offered a home for a wonderful Golden Retriever

Alexandra

Dear all,

I have pleasure in telling you that I have had the chance to offer a very loving home to a smart and beautiful Golden Retriever, rescued from RSPCA. He is 2 years old and his name is Goldie. He is so wonderful and playful. He is still a puppy in his soul. Goldie has already showed to me so much affection and loyalty.

I will post a picture with him and his toys from which he is never parted, when the Board has more room.

Since I have taken him I wanted to give to the lovely boy a good wash, but the person who took care of him at the kennels advised me not to do this in the first 2-3 weeks because he might be scared. I am wondering what people's thoughts are on this subject. I would like to mention that he has been with me for a week now.

Many thanks,

Alexandra & Goldie

sue51 · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:34 am Post subject:

Hi and welcome to LF - well done on giving Goldie his forever home Very Happy

Can't really advise you on the bath/wash front Sad

We had a foster dog here for a couple of days and I know I would like to have given him a bath Embarassed

hopefully someone will be able to give you some advice.

Look forward to seeing some pics of Goldie Very Happy

Spirit · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:05 am Post subject:

Hi Alexandra and Goldie Smile

welcome to the forums Very Happy

Congratulations Very Happy

giving Goldie his forever home Very Happy

hope somebody will be along soon, to give you advice on bathing him Very Happy

looking forward to seen the photo's of Goldie Wink

luv

my4labs · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:15 am Post subject:

Hi and welcome to the forum

Well done on giving goldie his forever home Smile

Angelsmum · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:24 am Post subject:

Hi and welcome Very Happy

my first dog was called goldie Very Happy

so the name brings back lots of happy memories to me and hopefully you'll have years of fun and memories with your new goldie.
well done on giving him his forever home Very Happy

Alexandra · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:54 pm Post subject:

Thank you all for your messages!

I would also like to ask for some guidance regarding his behaviour: sometimes he behaves like a puppy, very docile and other times he is very aggresive. Not to forget to mention that 2 weeks ago he has been neutered. Would it be any connection between this and his unstable / unpredictable behaviour.

Many thanks

Alexandra

Becs · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:58 pm Post subject:

Hi Alexandra, Well done for giving Goldie a forever home - I hope you have many happy years together.
What do you mean by 'aggresive'? What does he do exactly and when does he do it?
Are you getting advice and support from the rescue organisation that you got him from?
Becs and the Gang

AlfiesMum · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:02 pm Post subject:

Well done on giving Goldie his forever home Very Happy

Look forward to seeing some pics of him Very Happy

Alexandra · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:11 pm Post subject:

Thank you for your message!
From the RSPCA they have just said not to take his toys away. And we have bought him new toys and he knows that they are his. And with these we have no problems at all. However, the other day we bought him a largish 'bone' which he has been chewing on but if we go near this bone or even try to stroke him he becomes agressive and growls and snarls. The other thing is when we try and tell him not to enter a room i.e. the kitchen, and we try to push him back gently from the room again he becomes agressive as previously mentioned.
Any comments or guidance would be appreciate it.

Regards,
Alexandra

Becs · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:31 pm Post subject:

Hi Alexandra,
Sorry I haven't replied sooner but the computer was 'ambushed' by my kids.
Hopefully this will 'bump' it up a bit and you'll get more advice.
Firstly, I think that I would remove 'high value' toys like bones until Goldie is more settled as it is obviously bringing about his gaurding instinct, which are probably exaserbated by the changes in his life.
You need to teach him that you aren't a threat to him or his possessions and that its a good thing to let you come near him when he has got something. This can be done by lots of hand-feeding and rewarding him for letting you approach him when he has something that he doesn't want to 'loose'. Start with very 'low value' toys - something he doesn't mind you going near. Approach him whilst offering a treat. As he goes to take the treat, remove the toy gently and say 'thank-you' or 'drop it' and reward - then give him the treat back. Build on this very slowly at a pace he is comfortable with.
When you feed him you could put his bowl down empty and then place the food in his bowl and bit at a time by hand. This way you are teaching him that hands approaching are good news and he doesn't need to feel threatened.
As for removing him from a room - have you thought about having a stair gate on the kitchen door so you can shut him out but he can still see you. Also teaching him to 'go to bed' on command would help.

Let us know how you get on,
Becs and the gang