[kulare]

How about club for golden owners?

[Golden1s]

I am so sorry for your loss, I know the heartache. I lost my best friend, Buddy, a golden last month to an auto immune disease, 13 yrs old. I miss him terribly.

[iclipdogs]

I miss my boy also, He was 15yrs old and only 122lbs. I do plan on getting another. I had to wait until I got my ankle fused and could walk one before I got another. I want to get a rescue golden this time.

[CFrance]

I'm not too sure what you mean about day care. Our golden is four and a huge people lover. I would love to see if he could be a therapy dog, but he is so excited to see people that the first ten minutes is a constant exercise in "sit for a pet."

We don't really need day care, but would be willing to meet with you and explore spending some time with him if you are really just trying to determine if you are ready for another. We lost our first golden at 13 and only lasted about two months before beginning the search for another. They are such sweethearts.

[jblum315]

The old wisdom is that you have to get right back up on the horse. in other words, you need to find another Golden right away. It shows your respect and love for your departed boy.

[PugLover]

I am very sorry for your lost- we miss our Pugs Buster and Lucy who passed away last April and July 2011. Best wishes on finding another golden.

[VillageSitter]

My heart goes out to you for your loss. They are our children and once they leave us, they leave their footprints on our lives forever.
My husband told me no more dogs once we lost our Briard back in 2008. She was a truly amazing dog. Well, low and behold, along came a Goldendoodle in desperate need of a loving family. He was in an extremely bad situation. I brought him home and again my husband said "NO". I told him he was only there for the weekend so I could clean him up and rid him of all his flees. That was on a Friday and by Sunday my husband said he would not allow me to return him to where he came from. You see how I listen to my husband??? We now have two dogs and couldn't imagine life without them. It may take a little time but when you are ready you will know and the right dog will find their way into your home and your heart once again.
My thoughts are with you in the meantime.

[kulare]

Originally Posted by iclipdogs

I miss my boy also, He was 15yrs old and only 122lbs. I do plan on getting another. I had to wait until I got my ankle fused and could walk one before I got another. I want to get a rescue golden this time.

We are looking that way also.

[kulare]

Originally Posted by jblum315

The old wisdom is that you have to get right back up on the horse. in other words, you need to find another Golden right away. It shows your respect and love for your departed boy.

That is true. Thanks for the in put. Getting on is one thing, riding for 10 to 15 years is another.

[kulare]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I'm not too sure what you mean about day care. Our golden is four and a huge people lover. I would love to see if he could be a therapy dog, but he is so excited to see people that the first ten minutes is a constant exercise in "sit for a pet."

We don't really need day care, but would be willing to meet with you and explore spending some time with him if you are really just trying to determine if you are ready for another. We lost our first golden at 13 and only lasted about two months before beginning the search for another. They are such sweethearts.

Day care may not have been good term, spending time as you say is a better word. . Our Bailey worked with kids of need, CP. I know how to stop the " excited ten". It's called "frapping".

[kulare]

What about a dog club for goldens????

[CFrance]

Kulare, I am very interested in learning anything that will help our golden become worthy of being a therapy dog, reading dog, whatever good there is out there for him to do. Everyone who has contact with him (doggy day care, groomer, etc.) calls him the "calm one," and yet we have to leash him when someone comes to the door. Not because he's mean, but because he's over-exuberant. He's been through two training classes, a "pawsitive" one and a yank-the-chain one. We sort of use something in between. I had him mostly trained to sit when someone came in. Lately, since he's four, we've slacked off, but I've thought we should go at it again. I'm trying to strike a balance between good behavior and not squashing his happy, friendly demeanor. I really don't want to change his attitude. And I don't want a totally submissive, overly trained dog.

I would also be very interested in a golden club. Ours has been socialized since four months old. Count me in on that

[lovsthosebigdogs]

[QUOTE=CFrance;468714]Kulare, I am very interested in learning anything that will help our golden become worthy of being a therapy dog, reading dog, whatever good there is out there for him to do. Everyone who has contact with him (doggy day care, groomer, etc.) calls him the "calm one," and yet we have to leash him when someone comes to the door. Not because he's mean, but because he's over-exuberant. He's been through two training classes, a "pawsitive" one and a yank-the-chain one. We sort of use something in between. I had him mostly trained to sit when someone came in. Lately, since he's four, we've slacked off, but I've thought we should go at it again. I'm trying to strike a balance between good behavior and not squashing his happy, friendly demeanor. I really don't want to change his attitude. And I don't want a totally submissive, overly trained dog. QUOTE]

CFrance, I commend you for wanting to have a Therapy dog of your own. I currently have 4 certified Therapy Dogs who also have their Canine Good Citizen certification (AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program). My dogs participate as Hospice Volunteer Therapy dogs, Reading Assistance Dogs, and as public education informational breed ambassadors (Pet Expo, Canine Learning Experience, dog shows). They are well trained, happy and predictable in all public situations. You do not have to worry about “a totally submissive, overly trained dog” if you train in a positive, loving way. What you will have is a well trained dog that knows what is expected of him in each situation and is appropriately calm when he needs to be while still being lovey and friendly. I am giving you the info on Therapy Dogs Inc which has a very, very simple test to pass and you sound like you could already be ready for it, or at the very least, you could talk to the local tester and get more information.
Lori Stollar Leesburg, FL 34748
(352) 978-8813
lbgflowershop@earthlink.net
Patricia Paulding Wildwood, FL 34785
(352) 330-2252
ppaulding@excite.com
Therapy Dog International is a more difficult test and also a very worthwhile group. I have dogs certified with both currently. You decide which is right for you by checking out their websites.

I wish you much good luck and I would love to hear from you when you pass your test. It is a wonderful thing you are doing and I know you will love it.

Petsmart John Young PKW, Orlando, FL
Orlando, FL
April 22, 2012 - Test Full
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Pre-registration required
For more information please contact TDI Evaluator: CAL ARTER at (570) 660-2417 or winstonwoof@aol.com
SPCA

[Junebugs]

We are going away for a week in June and we were going to leave our sweet "senior" girls with my parents but they will be babysitting my two very young nieces. I am not sure they can handle all of that for a week. I am very reluctant to put the golden in a kennel because she gets very frightened during thunderstorms, even heavy rain starts her shaking. I worry that she might freak out if all alone in a cage. We would appreciate any suggestions or advice.

[Didiwinbob]

How about a certified Dog Sitter? Depending on where you live. You can search on the the Professional dog sitter website or ask your vet for recommendations. I chose a kennel one time. Great kennel(actually was the dog's trainer) but my Hope ended up with bad case of stress related diarrhea. I have been fortunate to have a staff member at the Doggy Day Care that stays at the house. It is a perfect fit. Dogs stay in their environment, same daily routine and Scoob gets to go to day care with her everyday. He is tired and Hope gets a break from the young Mr. Scoob


Chris