dee lee

Something to think about, as some of the posters have mentioned, you may have trouble finding a breeder who will sell you a pup to live in an apartment. And that would even go with many rescue groups. I'm not saying its right, I personally think most dogs would be ok in appartments with the proper care, but just be prepared. We live in a tiny terrace house in the inner city (its like a townhouse), with our 6 year old Golden Retriever. We adopted her at 2 and she took a bout 2 years before she'd toilet in our pocket sized yard, so she's pretty much apartment trained. We exercise at the local parks & she's left inside in the day while we work. It's been fine, but the (pre-yard) toiletting was hard. Especially the bedtime trip to the park in winter, in my jammies, half asleep & you HAVE to wait til they do something. :laugh: I'd hate to have to deal with toilet training a puppy!! Have you considered an older dog? It would be much easier with toilet training, energy & being left alone while you work fulltime.

Jules, lol, I can understand that, I've come across lots of them, they are pains & I avoid them too. :laugh: I wasn't having a go at herding breeds, generally they are the best behaved dogs at the park. But if there is a staring stalking dog, 99% of the time it's a herding breed. My main point is that the OP should prevent their dog behaving that way. (& btw, my Goldie isn't rude, she's a gentle lady, I promise she would never dream of jumping on your dogs. :D )

Totally agree. The risk is too high, my child would come first. The OP has worked hard to manage the situation & it's impossible to guarantee no future slip ups, with possibly deadly consequences. I've made the same decision without actual biting, just recognition of potential risk (& growing emotional trauma) to my children. It was hideously painful to do, but I don't regret it. I'm full of admiration for those who can manage it, but in my experience, nobody benefits from extreme management that is needed when kids are involved- the dog's life is extremely restricted (mine was NEVER offlead, walked at 5am, then kept alone in a tiny courtyard) and the family feels like they are taken hostage, living in fear of a slip up.

Judging on the first post, the OP's dog is one I'd avoid at the park. I've found starers and stalkers (generally herding breeds) are bullies and I've had my very passive dog bailed up, unable to pass, way too many times by them. It's anti social behaviour that impacts on other dogs & if your dog does it, you have got to recognise it's generally not appreciated by other dog owners. 9 times out of 10 it leads to nothing confrontational, but hey, my dog doesn't like it, doesn't invite it, so keep your dog under control.

I don't think dog parks are essentially bad places, it's good to be able to let your dog offlead if you can, but you do need to be mindful of potential pitfalls. In my opinion, if your dog is in a position where he is able to behave dominantly and/or stare down other dogs, you are just asking for trouble. Not all dogs tolerate that kind of behaviour & if you know your dog is apt to retaliate when they object, then you are just as much to blame when the inevitable happens. If this kind of thing happens frequently & you still want to keep going to the park, I'd be doing less of the play spectating and more active walking with your dog.

Interesting about Goldies. I adopted my GR through GRR & I'm suprised about the jogging. I jog with my Goldie & she loves it & suffers no ill effect. Did you ask to foster rather than adopt? I'm guessing that fostering would require more time spent with the dogs? And they might see your dog as not being a good influence? I do know that the dogs welfare comes first & they'd want to ensure the best chance of adoption. As you say, they are popular dogs & they have no shortage of people offering to foster. I have a friend who was knocked back too as she wanted the dog to sleep outside (Fair enough). Good news about GAP!

My GR has had it for a couple of years now. Initially she was on stilboestrol, only giving her a dose if I noticed her dripping (roughly about once a month). At some point I realised that she is a habitual water guzzler & that if I made sure she didn't have access to excess water the leaking stopped. Basically I make sure she gets appropriate amounts of water but minimize the refills, especially in the evening. It works pretty well & it's been over a year since I've given the drugs. I feel that her bladder muscles just werent strong enough to hold in the excess water. But I do want to stress, I'd always felt she drank excess water out of habit, so she still does get enough water. It's probably not the answer for all incontinent dogs, worth considering though. Oh & I did read once that tail wagging is like pelvic floor exercises for dogs. :laugh:

Both! :laugh: It's a rare day when we don't get multicolored poo. Erasers, socks, barbies... All fair game if forgetful children (or husband ) leave them on the floor.

Sounds exactly like my friend, except he wears his Westie in a harness on his back! :laugh:

Yep, it's easy- Morgan became Honey in our house! (Not much of an improvement but by far beat the kids' other suggestions :laugh: ) She was 2 & as soon as she came home we only called her by her new name. Lots of praise when they respond & it will take no time. :)

Hooray! Goldies are very special dogs, total love machines. Another tip with exercising- being retrievers, most Goldies love playing fetch, which should make it much easier for you to exercise both dogs once your pup has matured. I can't advise on breeders, we opted to adopt from Golden Retriever rescue, but if you pop into the GR breed thread they should be able to point you in the right direction. :)

You are lucky. My goldy is exercise crazy and is very lean. She just doesn't put on weight and would go on walks every hour if we were willing!!! She is six now and requires long walks twice a day with play times and zoomies with my elky during the day. Funnily enough, I wish my Goldie had more energy! She loves running, but I'm finding she can't keep up with me after a while- she flakes after 5kms. From what I've seen, it's pretty normal for GRs- mine has been one of the more energetic I've met. You must have a very special one! :)

I just have the one Goldie, but I have no doubt she'd be fine with a frenchie. As someone said, a gentle tempered Goldie would play very nicely. Mine has always been very sweet with littlies. You mention exercise- you'd be suprised how lazy they can be (you don't see so many fat ones for nothing ) . They may be bigger but my bet would be on the Frenchie outlasting the Goldie! :laugh: That said, because GRs have a disposition towards hip problems, you should take care to keep them fit & lean (against their protestations :laugh: ) , but they definitely are not a non-stop high-exercise breed. Mine would LOVE a morning run followed by lazing about with her family at the office all day. It'd be heaven for her. If you got a GR like mine, it would work out brilliantly. :D

I get Red Dingo tags from Pawz.com.au. $17.50 including engraving. I get the embossed love heart ones- last for ages.

I do Honey's every few weeks & I worry its not enough & they are too long- I'm truly suprised at how many dogs don't seem to need that!! Wow! I wish! I hate doing it- I keep thinking I will get the quick (yes, I know where to cut- doesn't stop me worrying! ) She is very active & spends a fair amount of time walking (& running) on concrete- but it makes absolutely no difference & doesnt wear the nails down at all. Must be a biomechanical foot thing.

Conspicuous lack of Goldie owners posting in here! :laugh: The majority of other breeds are NON shedders in comparison! I can sweep my floor boards 4 times a day & still spy a brand new tumbleweed of cream fur immediately after. . I love her so much that it's a small price to pay but... I'm not sure I would ever get a long haired breed again. It drives me bonkers... And then, as well as shedding she takes hours to dry when she gets wet or muddy. I adore the breed, but next time I will be seriously considering the short haired, single coated, wash n wear, gun breeds. There are lots of breeds out there that may not be non shedding, but certainly shed LESS, & that will be unashamedly one of my criteria. With the level of hair in my house, I totally understand why others find shedding a turn off.

That's such a sweet story, Mantis! :D I've always taught my kids not to approach strange dogs, no matter how friendly they look, and to always ask the owner if it would be ok, if they want a pat. I will teach approaching kids the rules too (my Goldie is a kid magnet- & she loves them). And if I see a kid looking at my dog from afar I will ask if they would like a pat. As well as teaching kids to be careful, I think it's good to be able to use my bombproof dog to help kids overcome their fears. As for naughty kids who approach anyway, I always keep my dog safe, but am very much aware that little kids sometimes need to be taught rules hundreds of times before they learn! Hopefully it happens before they get bitten, but it's not always due to parents not teaching them.

Happy birthday to the beautiful Trixie! What, no party hats, Ruth??? :laugh:

Probably because they think it's yours and wonder why you're pooping in their bed :laugh: :rofl: No dogs on furniture rule around here. The big fluffy used to "secretly" sleep on the couch after we went to bed, so we conceded the point & covered it with a blanket each night. But then she got incontinent & was subsequently banned from the couch. It was about then I was glad my OH had been extra firm about her not being allowed on the bed! One poo, vomit or wee & that would be it for me. Not to mention how dirty the sheets etc would be on a daily basis. I don't have time for that much washing!

My Goldie is a great watch dog. She goes nuts if she is home alone & someone comes to the door, & she sounds like she means business. Hard to say if she'd actually do anything though. The postie obviously thinks she would- he is terrified of her despite all my attempts to help them make friends! :laugh: Out & about, she did go through a phase of occasionally protecting me. Guys with hats bother her in particular & she would rush them with a loud WOOF. I've trained her not to do it anymore, but I do think that she might try and have a go if I was being physically attacked. I feel safe having her with me walking & at home, she is a great deterrent regardless. Oh, & if I hear her barking, I always go check- she has twice alerted me to situations outside & never barks at night without good reason (except in thunderstorms!! Aargh!)

I gave up on nagging clueless people about their new dogs. With the rare exception (thank heavens the sharpei was returned!), all those I lectured just ignored me. Half the time the dogs turned out fine despite their owners & the other half have learned to live with their dog's bad behaviour. People just do what they want anyway & I suspect that since they already have a dog, they might think they know all there is to know.

Over the years I've tried a few things - garlic in diet & a homemade rosemary garlic spray being 2- and unfortunately I haven't found they make any difference at all. Try googling and give them a try, but sadly, I tend to find nothing works as well as chemicals with insects.

I think it's admirable that you are considering a dog that will match your GF's dog. My Goldie doesnt like playing with other dogs much & gets bothered by boisterous insistent dogs. It would be her idea of hell if I brought one home to live with her! No suggestions, just a big thumbs up for your efforts!

I have read of scientific studies that suggest that humans evolved in part because of our ability to run long distances. They believe our body shape & the "runner's high" is due to this. Maybe in some way our domestic relationship with dogs is tied into this too. I run only 6kms each time I run, as I aged I found I was not recovering so well from longer distances (& the dog wasn't either), so I now opt for shorter runs more often. Aiming for a long time rather than a PB time.

I find the theory behind the onlead roadwork fascinating- I had no idea! Probably, but that would include running in the same area. I like to jog the 'burbs and take in the sights I like checking out all the local parks/grassed areas, they provide nice visual stimulation during the boring slog Taking into account my personal preference for footpaths, is twice a week for about 40 minutes excessive for a dog to get injuries? They are 6 years old if that means anything, with no known injuries (except one gets bowen every so often, she gets a bit sore apparently but no actual known injuries/problems if that makes sense? Oh and this is the one who appears fitter!) I take my 6 year old Goldie running with me up to 5 times a week. We run on footpaths until we reach the park & she is offlead. It's about 50/50 hard & soft surface. We've been doing it for years & she seems to have suffered no damage. She only needs to trot when onlead though, so it's probably lower impact on her than me! Now, while you are building up your own fitness, is a good time to start them- you can do it together. Personally I find it much more pleasurable running with my dog than on my own- I have to focus on her more than my own personal pain! :laugh: Now that I know about building up the hind legs, I will be doing some extra onlead walking work with Honey. Being a rescue retriever of unknown origin, I'm always keen to keep her fit & her joints & muscles strong to help prevent any possible future problems.