dee lee

That's why I recommend being clear with the rescue org about personal requirements. I had contacted several GR breeders about puppies, but I knew (and had been warned by breeders) that goldies could be a handful, especially as pups. Because of my daughter's nervousness I decided that an adult dog, known to be calm, was the better way to go for us. My feelings about choosing goldens as a good breed for my family (and they were not my only choice) were based more on whether I could take the dog to a park offlead and have a dog generally receptive to training. I wanted a good family dog. Having had a DA staffy x I was tolerant of destructiveness, but wanted to have a breed less likely to exhibit aggression. Honey is a totally indoor dog and is completely non destructive (aside from the occasional peg), I am happy with that but more happy with her happy nature which I have seen is pretty usual for the breed. I could live with pretty much anything just to have that lovely nature. RPMgirl, I would love to have 2 goldens- I hope you find your pair! ;)

So its not just Honey then? :D That is one insistent nose!

A martingale or limited slip collar is a great tool. You can get them custom made to your dog's size and they deliver much better control than a flat collar. I got one when I had a dog who would lunge, there was no way I was going to risk her hurting her neck by using a halti.

Go a rescue Goldie!!! I did and it was the best thing I have ever done! My lovely 3 year old girl is absolutely divine!!!! I have 2 daughters, a 5 and a half year old and a 7 year old. We had had a very sad and traumatic time with our previous DA dog which left my 7 year old nervous around dogs. Because all puppies are naturally boisterous we finally decide to adopt a mature dog and picked GRs because they are generally a very stable and calm breed as adults. I contacted NSW Golden retriever rescue explained our situation and a few months later Wendy called me and said she thought she had found the perfect dog for us. She was so right . Honey is the sweetest gentlest dog, she never jumps up or licks and will sit quietly being patted for hours if you let her! My dog-nervous daughter is in love with her and thanks to her is getting better with strange dogs. We ALL love her- but I'll stop now, I tend to not shut up when I get started! Aside from extolling the virtues of GRs, I cant recommend a good rescue org enough- they will find the dog to suit you. Very often there are pairs of dogs up for adoption, dogs who are very bonded to each other- I am sure any rescue org would be over the moon if you were to mention you were looking to adopt such a pair (if suitable of course). Another plus is that often the dogs put up for rescue have previously been outside only so your situation wont be unusual for them. Good luck and keep us posted!

Judging by the muttering the guy was mentally not right and I'd say your dog picked up on it. I'm afraid I don't have the same faith in dogs as judges of character as a lot of Dolers. My dog just recently barked at a kid with aspergers (I believe dog's are sensitive to these things) yet wagged her tail at a couple of young hoods who had just stolen someone's bag and were definitely trouble.

We had family friends who owned 2 aggressive boxers when i was a kid. They were kept in their runs whenever we visited and we were warned never to go near them. Also a friend owned one and it had epilepsy based aggression (not to mention that my friend was clueless). As well as these 2 close relationships, I have yet to meet a well behaved boxer in a park. I know that's not the fault of the dogs (the owners were quite obviously idiots who couldn't control them), but because of all these experiences I don't like/trust boxers. As for staffords, following personal experience (my last dog was a DA staffy cross), I discovered that as a breed they can be intolerant of other dogs. More so than many other breeds. They also can attract inexperienced owners who own them for their intimidating looks. The combination of that makes me often much more on guard when I walk past them in the street. Having said that though, same goes for SWFs who, I have found, have a much higher likelihood of trying to bite my dog than larger dogs.

There will always be posters who cannot help but be rude and lacking in empathy, changing the way the moderators work wont change that. I have found that you can avoid the vultures by being clear, honest and not engaging in a fight. Sadly it takes time to learn that lesson. I posted a thread last year that was along similar lines to Brooke's. I expected to be flamed but the need to reach out to people who would understand my problems and give me advice was too great. There were a few arguments (nothing nasty) but on the whole I was left with a strong feeling of community and support from my fellow Dolers. Dol was a great source of help and comfort in those dark days and I could not have coped with out all the wonderful people who responded. Its not all vitriol and lack of empathy.

Yes I have, more than once or twice! Problem is my routine is to take her for a run before the kids get up, then I have to wait for an hour or so before I can feed her (to avoid bloat etc) and by then the house is in full swing and chaotic. A couple of times its been lunch before I realised she hadnt been fed!! She hasnt suffered.

Happy Birthday T!

Same with me. Brooke, I hope you can find a solution that you can live with, its a heartbreaking place to be. I just want to point out to those who have said rehome, rehome, from experience its nigh on impossible to responsibly rehome a dog that has exhibited any aggression. Rescuers are extremely reluctant to take them on and a private rehoming is very hard to find and highly risky. I got zero interest in taking my dog on and I had to wrestle with my conscience as to whether it was a responsible thing to do to rehome her myself. It was devastating but I decided that it was not. I hope Nekhbet can help you Brooke and I wish you the best of luck whatever you do.

You have such a special boy there!! He is more than a little responsible for me wanting (and getting) a goldie!!!

Sorry, is it too small?? Is this better? Btw- my daughter licked it before I took the photo. :D Does that help?

I have heard that more than once- usually in the mid afternoon. Mollipop, Thank you for telling Wendy that! I often think about sending hermore photos and updates but I know how busy she is. After reading your post I think I will anyway! ;) I will see how I go with the Castle Hill show- we always seem to be ridiculously busy with kid stuff on the weekends.

Sounds like a great decision! We adopted our dog last year when she was nearly 3. She has slotted into our lives perfectly and I wouldn't hesitate to get an older dog again! Much easier than a pup if you get a well socialised stable dog.

The shedding does test the love I admit! :rolleyes: I dont know about labs, but in December and January I was sweeping 4 times a day, brushing every day and still had golden tumbleweeds! Its much better now though. I'd love to help Wendy and foster but (as I keep reminding Golden Rules - and myself!) I dont have enough room for 2 dogs. Yet. I'm working on OH to move to a bigger house so I can indulge my fantasies.

Oh thank you everyone! I'm feeling the love too! Its just so wonderful to be able to enjoy her. Walking her is one of the best parts of my day- even though I get up at 6am to do it!! Yes, everything is right with our little world too. ;) eta: GR- you will be the death of me!!! I get updates from Golden Retriever Rescue and everytime I see a sweet old goldie needing a home I have to restrain myself!!

No real reason for this post except that I just got an overwhelming feeling that I am so lucky to have had Honey come into my life 4 months ago. Tonight I am sitting in my living room alone while OH is at work and she is alternating between cuddles and guarding the front door (I have it open and there are lots of people walking past). She is such a delight and every week our bond gets stronger. She is my gorgeous girl. I had no idea that being a dog owner could be such an immense joy, she improves my life so much. Those of you who have "known" me in the past couple of years will understand how much this means to me. Just had to get that out. Feel free to add your own devotional comments.

We took Honey on our beach holiday in January- her enjoyment of it made the holiday even better! Blissful! Grumble grumble... Now I want to go back...

But don't the males go roaming looking for females? That would give me the willies. When I was a kid living on the northern beaches, there was a plague of them and it was the early days of them developing the anti-venom. People were dying from the bites. We would find them in our backyard on a daily basis. I can only imagine how worried my parents would have been. So Im with Gillbear- out with the buggers.

Years ago I tried garlic in my dog's food plus a rosemary and lemon spray mix- both were recommended as natural flea repellants. Neither worked and I just had a sticky dog whose breath stank.

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Deelee, my DOugal is just the same - I always used to think he prefers humans to other dogs but when Duncan came along, they were always playing, both at home and at the park. I think you will find that when you get your second Goldie ( ;)) you will see a change in Honey's oblivious behaviour OI!!! Do not encourage me!! At least its reassuring that Dougal was the same.

I know what you mean! Honey is very antisocial at the park, its quite rare that she will play with another dog. Im constantly explaining that she thinks she is too much of a lady. She gets ample opportunity, I just know now that she just doesnt like playing with other dogs .

Deelee, Light brown Am-staff type female and grey and white scruffy little mutt whose owner appear to be a painter? I think I know who you are talking about! Why haven't I bumped into you yet ? We seem to be going to the same parks.... There is another one at Moore Park who is terribly annoying... A black shepherd cross who, for the past five years has been rushing up to me and Olaf, hackles up and barking in a very aggro manner. Olaf never flinched and kept on walking with me acting as a bareer, but with scaredy-cat hyper Archie it's another story. Because of that Archie pretty much only gets walks around the neighbourood in the evening because I don't want to take the risk. I can't believe they keep on letting their dog off leash when they know it's gonna happen... they eventually call him back, saying "X, No Bark! Bad dog" , and was told as a way of apology once that he only did this to spaniels because he didn't like them. YES!!!! I keep wanting to say to the guy- "I think you have the wrong dog onlead." It is out of control! I know that big black dog- it is a big PITA!! Not fair its restricted your walks- oh and he is full of crap, its bullied a Honey a couple of times. Maybe she looks like a big spaniel? We must be ships passing in the night! (well it feels like night since its dark now at 6.30am ) Next time I go I'll be the one wearing a pink carnation.

Ugh, I hate dog park "gangs". In my area they are tediously snooty and notoriously filled with badly behaved young dogs. After having my last dog's DA escalate from too much clique-sanctioned roughhousing ("dont worry, bullbreeds play like that!" ), I always vowed that with any future dog I would avoid the standing around socialising while the dogs "played" and instead walk through the park. That way the dog gets a bit of socialising but still learns to stay with you or it will get let behind. My next dog ended up not being a puppy and really doesnt care about other dogs, but I still maintain that this is the best way to go and I avoid any loitering. Judging by the annoying dogs owned by the clique in my park I am doing the right thing. ;) Its not a popularity competition and its probably better that your pups don't learn bad playing habits from those dogs anyway.