An update on my rambunctious retriever

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

Sorry..still no pics but my sis took some and I will have them shortly.

So after a rocky first week, I had him neutered and he was doing OK..vet felt he didn't need a cone on his head..good thing since I have a pool and wouldn't leave him in the yard.

He did end up getting a bit infected though so I ultimately did end up boarding him a couple days and doing DOGGIE DAY CARE for a couple more..my vet and his staff LOVE this dog so now we stop in now and then to visit. (Cocoa LOVES the vet)

For the first week it was a bitch trying to get him in the car...then one day I was in the garage with Cocoa hanging out, went to look for something in the car and was sitting in the front seat...guess I didn't do it fast enough and next thing I know...Cocoa had squeezed between the seat and gotten in the back seat! I was so pleased that he did it of his own accord that we took a drive around the block. (Never mind that I was in my jammies)

It is still a task to get him to stay outside but he is clear that ALL MEALS are served outside and if I just pet him for the first few gulps of food and tell him "stay" - he stays.

When I get home in the evening he is ready to play...so he steals something he KNOWS I don't want him to have and runs around the pool with it..until I run away from him...then he comes to me and brings it...the other night he did it with a hammer from my tool box...ran the other way...I ran away..he came back after me and crashed into my face with the hammer! Ouch! But I was laughing too hard to be mad.

He goes everywhere else with me now and people are starting to say "bring the dog!"

Tonight we have our second obedience class. I won't get a "MY DOG IS AN HONOR'S STUDENT" award just yet...but he really IS the best looking dog there.

We still don't have the cat thing down..but he has gotten in trouble for it so many times..that he is much more likely now to look at them, raise his ears..then walk away....cats equal Coca getting reprimanded and he HATES disapproval.

Special thanks to Salin who has been my dog GURU and Havocmom who offered me some great coaching during the roughest moments! :thumbsup:

I LOVE THIS DOG!!

[MuseRider]

1. WOW!

I missed all of this (we have been having computer problems and I must have been away angry over having to share). What kind of retriever? We have a Golden and a Lab and have always had one of each. You are in for so much fun and love but it seems you already know that. Good for you and Coca. Of course he is the best looking dog there! Mingus and Phoebe ( my two retrievers) and Scully (my pound puppy) send a hello!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Golden..he is a darker one and is two and one half years old

He was never trained and poorly socialized so it has been a challenge. He thought he was alpha dog but is now clear that is MY role.

[MuseRider]

4. You have the most

important step down. You should have no problem socializing a Golden, as you stated they do not like disapproval and respond so well to reward. Just keep trying to think like a big, male dog (yes, I know how that is) and in no time at all he will be perfect. I hope you get some pictures soon. Congrats to both of you and it is so wonderful of you to take in a dog like this. Has he been in the pool yet? Our Golden is terrified of our pool but LOVES the ponds on my farm. Our Lab would swim in anything but he can't ever figure out how to get out of the pool.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. Walked into the pool the day I got him..but he LOVES water

I think when it warms up..he'll be in there...all my dogs were avid swimmers and wave riders.

Here are the other threads on this guy...he's been a handful:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=592385


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=600157

[Red State Rebel]

7. We have Goldens - they are the best!!

[GOPisEvil]

3. Baby retrievers are so cute - as long as they're someone else's!

Like a windup toy perpetually wound up. Loads of fun, but a sap on the energy.

Your dog sounds so cool - if people want him around that's a good thing!

Edit - changed subject line. :-)

[jus_the_facts]

5. Awwwwweeeee....makes me remember my 3 babies.....

.....had black labs and had bad luck with all three...Rowdy #1 drowned while duck hunting with my Dad...their *homemade* duck blind flipped over and sunk...my Row Row drowned with his momma Candy...my Dad and his buddie were extremely lucky to have not drowned also as they both had on chest waders and they filled up with water and almost drowned themselves. :scared:

After that we got DUDE..only had him a few months and he was diagnosed with pancreatic disorder...we'd left him in the care of the people who'd bred him...they had an above ground pool and left him out in the yard....he climbed onto the deck and jumped in and couldn't get out...also drowned. :cry:

Next came Rowdy II....he and my other dog BABY..a pound mut..got into a fight and my Dad ended up having to shoot my Baby as Rowdy had bitten his neck so bad it was beyond fixin'....Daddy almost shot him too for doin' it..but gave him to a cop instead....he was a police doggie after that. x(


.....so glad you and your new baby are havin' lot's o'fun...they are so very special....makes me want another one!! :loveya:

[MuseRider]

6. DAMN!

I have never heard of a lab that drowned! Were they caught in the blind? It sounds as if you need some good doggie vibes. I am so sorry to hear about all your babies. Our little pound pup is about 15 pounds, our Golden is about 85 and our Lab 95 and both the big dogs are terrified of the little one, she rules the roost. She will wake me up if one of the others gets into the trash, she busts up their play if they do not include her. Pound pups have so many issues but this one has worked out well since the others run when she really gets mad. I wish you better doggie luck. :hug:

[jus_the_facts]

8. Yeah that blind sank like a stone....

....didn't float at all...they were trapped under it. :cry: Thanks...I've only got my lil kitten cat...she's got my whole heart taken for now. :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. Wow those are sad stories

I was gonna leave this guy in tact to let him breed since he is really gorgeous..but....more he had hormones than he could handle..sooooo *snip*

:loveya:

[jus_the_facts]

19. Can't wait to see the pix of him.....

....when you post 'em don't let me miss the thread! :loveya:

[Cleita]

11. Good news.

Once you get him accustomed to the car, you won't be able to leave without him wanting to go for a ride. My stepdaughter's dog, Molly, whom you didn't get to meet when you were up here, has doggie whiney snits if someone leaves in a car and she doesn't get to go along.

I'm sure you already know, but I'll remind you anyway, don't let him ride in the front seat if you have an air bag on the passenger side. It could kill him. Molly is trained to ride in the back seat.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. Yep..he's back seat all the way

I never let a dog up front anyway..too much of a distraction. I am going to buy him a car harness though, too.

[Lostmessage]

12. Golden?

We found our Golden after she had been hit by a car and she was only 6 months at the time. She died two years ago at the ripe old age of 17 and she was the best dog that our family had ever had.
She was a huge girl that ended up weighing about 100 pounds before her death and I felt guilty feeding her so much food but she loved to eat.
She saved our Cat one time from being killed by a coyote that got into our yard. Our Cat slipped out the door by accident when Lucy went out to pee and we heard some commotion going on and we found our cat on Lucy's back and a coyote running out of the yard.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. One of my goldens lived to be 17 also

He and my cat used to share the same bed. I think this dog will get better with cats...it's just gonna take a while.

[Lostmessage]

17. Lucy didn't get along with the cats

When she was young she didn't get along with the Cats and we were afraid that she was going to kill one of them but as she got older she started to lay by them and they were her friends before she died.

[Richardo]

15. Mazel tov, NSMA! You brought a grin to my face...

...I'm getting vicarious fun reading the Teena and Cocoa stories...

:-) :thumbsup:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

16. Well they are no match for Oscar

but at least the dog doesn't swim in oil! ;-)

[proud patriot]

18. great to hear

I love my Goldie too .

He turned 8 this year :hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. Maybe they'll meet at a DU get together

[pmbryant]

21. Sounds wonderful

You certainly sound like you're having a blast with this dog. And vice versa. I am jealous! :P

But my dog can be pretty fun too. :-)

--Peter

[flamingyouth]

22. Aww, give Cocoa a hug for me

All of his kitty friends in Seattle send their best (yes, my cats like dogs - go figure!) :hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

23. Will do...we're off to dog school now!

BTW..didn't forget the rib recipe...got a bit preoccupied on Sunday.

[texasmom]

24. So glad to read this thread!

I am beginning the process of adopting a golden from a rescue. I have a four year old daughter and a six year old son, and goldens seem like the perfect dog for us. I want to avoid the puppy stage, and I was thinking 2 years or older. Is two years old still too puppyish? Should we adopt one a little older?

[salin]

26. I used to think that two was past "puppy" for goldens

but our most recent one didn't really settle down until about three. However we got our last one when he was two and he was a dream. So its hard to tell. And as NSMA has found - two, when not already trained or socialized - means still having some puppy AND having some instinct/habits that are hard to break. It may be easier to start a little younger - but be prepared (with the kids - they aren't too young to be involved) for a period of dog training. This way you can train the dog to fit into the family without having to do alot of 'breaking learned habits' simultaneously.

[texasmom]

38. Thanks

for answering. I hadn't even thought about that.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

28. My guy is a puppy in a 72 pound muscular body

Honestly, I would go with a puppy. One of my goldens lived to be 17 but they usually live about 12 years or so...big dogs don;t generally live as long as small dogs.

Given your kids ages he will last into their teens.

I trained my friend's golden puppy and my own and they are WAY easier to deal with if you get them early.

[texasmom]

39. Hmmm...

Thanks for that advice. I didn't know they were easier to deal with if you got them as puppies. I am so glad I asked...and you answered.

[rasputin1952]

25. Sounds Great!

But what about a pic with you in Jammies! And watch out if Cocoa gets his jaws on a crowbar!

O8) :loveya:

[salin]

27. Can't wait of the Count Cocoa training class update

:D

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

29. Tonight we learned

More socialization with other dogs.

We continued to work on concentration and holding a command. Cocoa is doing remarkably well given that the other dogs are in week 5 and he is only two weeks into it (and three weeks with me)

When he misbehaved he had to get walked away from the other dogs.

He has the hots for a little girl pug in the class named "Pepper." He learned that if he sits back on his haunches and doesn't bark at her, she'll approach him.

He still is a bit weak at doing what he's ordered on the first call, but after class we went shopping and got some special treats that are more likely to captivate his attention for the more important tasks.

We also got some more chew bones and a couple squeak toys.

He is REALLY good at getting in the car now...no hassle at all.

He's crashed out on the floor until I take him out one more time...he'll sleep good tonight.

:-)

[David Zephyr]

30. So Bring Your Doggie Up & We'll Take Him to Mt. Baldy.

I'm serious, NSMA. We must take him hiking together.

:hi:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

31. He would SO dig that!

It's a deal! I work this weekend but I'm off next..if this weather holds up a hike would do us both good!

[David Zephyr]

32. Yea! And We'll Get You Know Who to Come With Us.

He knows all the best places for puppies to adventure at.

We had our Angelo for 15 years and Mt. Baldy was one of his all-time favorite places to go.

And I insist on seeing some photos right away!!!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

33. Sounds like a plan

My sis has the pics..believe it or not..I don't own a camera! Never got around to buying a new one but I guess I should!

[Rhiannon12866]

34. Congratulations, NSMA!!!

Goldens are not only beautiful dogs, but among the most intelligent. I put up flyers for my friend, who is in dog rescue and placed my two cockers with me, when she was trying to place a four-year-old male Golden who had been basically left outside and kept getting loose and in trouble. She got a great many calls from my vet's office, alone. He has a secure home now and is in obedience classes with his new person, a retired man who has the time to devote to him. He also has another dog. This is the best thing for Rudy, since he was raised with a brother whom he missed terribly. My friend is also hoping to rescue the brother. I think it's a shame that they couldn't have been placed together.:-(

I also have a new dog. She is a little terrier who is quite a handful. My friend, with a digital camera, took pictures when I first got her groomed, but has yet to "put them up" for me, so I can post them. I adopted her as a companion for my tiny guy, who I have posted often, who has been bereft since we lost Sheena, my cocker, in May. He loved her so much and slept on her bed with her and ran to her when he was frightened, which is pretty often for an eight-pound dog. I knew that she was the right dog when we first met her and he barked and lunged at her, in typical terrier fashion, and she just walked away. She has a very mellow temperament, but also needs obedience classes. I am planning to take her when the weather improves here. She is rescue, as are all my guys, and was, obviously, someone's beloved pet since she prefers the couch or my bed.:-)

I am looking forward to the pics. Don't let me miss them. He sounds like an incredible dog and was so lucky to have found you to love him.:D

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

35. Thanks. I will make sure I draw the thread to your attention

Heck I may have to break down and go BUY a camera. I am with a professional photographer all the time so I've never bothered. :D

I love terriers too! Cocoa has a cocker friend too that we go visit.
The hardest part to deal with has been the jumping. He is 72 lbs and my 78 year old mom is only 85 lbs so he could take her out and we have had to be careful about that. He IS working on it though.

I've been thinking he might need a friend too but I have my hands full and I am afraid my cats will lead one another in revolt if I were to bring another dog in...maybe we'll wait a year.

I look forward to seeing your pics too and, likewise, DO make sure I know when you post them.

:loveya:

[Rhiannon12866]

37. She is not beautiful, more of a Benji-type

She was found as a stray in Ohio and was brought to a friend of a friend in rescue, here in New York, where there are tougher animal protection laws. It is kind of like an underground railroad and she was scheduled to be gassed the morning that they took her, if you can believe that. She was such a nice dog that the people at this horrible place begged them to find room for one more dog. She is obviously quite intelligent and used to being spoiled, but has also almost gotten away from me more than once, so I can understand how she managed to become lost. She also gets along with my tiny guy, who hasn't warmed up to her as he did to Sheena, but, at least, tolerates her. He was raised with his biological sister, so is used to another dog.

Some dogs do better on their own than others. My tiny guy spent nine years with his biological sister, but was placed separately from her when their owner died. I would take her in a heartbeat, but the guy who took her won't give her up and didn't want him. The man who I got him from tried. He has issues with men. He loved Sheena from the very first day and I told both my vets that I couldn't lose her, especially for him, but I did, despite acupuncture, a special diet, I even brewed her a special tea, so many things. Her immune system was compromised by Cushing's Syndrome. If you ever know of anyone who needs to know about this, I am the authority; I researched it to death.

The dog that my friend rescued was used to being with his brother and she had a very hard time with him, at first, because he was lonely. It was good that she found him a home with a sibling. Your guy will probably be fine, especially if he becomes attached to you. You don't want to traumatize the cats. My cat has her own room. Rhiannon wasn't traumatized by anything.:-)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

40. My cats have pretty well staked out their safe space

There are several rooms Cocoa is not allowed in and they know it.

They also can sense when he is outside now...so everbody gets their lovin'.

I am moved by your stories of your animals. I really felt this guy might meet a similar fate or end up in another home where he gets left out since he seemed on the surface to be so unruly. I saw through it. I saw a dog that wanted to be inside, close and needed some order in his life. :D

[Rhiannon12866]

41. He's young and will settle down. It's amazing how well they take to

patterns in their lives. My tiny guy is so neurotic, but he expects certain things and is just so delighted to see me. I remember that the first time I met him I was afraid to pick him up, he was so scared.

Sara is a wild-child who needs more exercise, but it is below zero here with deep snow. She is just going to have to wait. I just have to keep her from running him over, as she is wont to do.

My poor cat just needs constant veterinary care. Her ear is bothering her, again. She went through such a horrible time when left on her own that I hoped I could give her a period of comfort. They all come with their own individual stories, don't they?:shrug:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

42. My guy was doing SO well and tonight we had a setback

I was in the kitchen preparing dinner and was getting more comfortable with his ability to STAY. I let go the leash for a minute..one of the cats darted through the kitchen and he took off in pursuit into all the rooms he isn't allowed in...knocked over things and completely traumatized the cats.

I had to put him out and go and comfort each one of the cats,,,they were rightfully upset. I am lucky they are forgiving...especially the youngest one, Jack...he is my baby and has been feeling a bit neglected...being chased by a big lug didn't help.

[Rhiannon12866]

43. I'm so sorry. Goldens are not small dogs and they like to chase things

But they are very smart and learn things quickly. Let's hope, for the cats' sake. Poor kitties.:-(

I think I told you that I am thinking of taking my Sara to obedience classes once the weather is better, since she is such a handful. She races around and jumps over my little guy and startles him. She definitely needs more walks. And he has poor eyesight, no peripheral vision.

My cat is in here by herself, though these dogs wouldn't bother her. But she is used to it. I think your cats will be up to the challenge, once they realize that he isn't a threat. My cat was abandoned and traumatized, so I don't dare take the chance. My other cats learned quickly to adapt to the dogs, because they realized that they were no threat.

My friend has three cats and three dogs, all rescue and all compatible, so I believe that anything's possible.:-)

[TokenDemocrat]

36. My first dog was a retriever. Beautiful dogs.