Bella has a new nickname--Houdini dog. The first night she was home with us, she got out of her crate. I should have realized then what was to come. LOL She pretty much hasn't met a gate or obstacle that fazes her. Because Tucker has cone on (sore paw), I've been leaving him and Bella in the dining/kitchen area to sleep. Last night DD announced she wanted to sleep with me (love that ). We put the big dogs to bed, and Bella got thru the gate and showed up in the bed. We put her back, and five minutes later both she and Tucker (cone and all) showed up. So we hung out for a while--two largish humans, one small dog (who was grumpy at the invasion!), and two big dogs. I need a bigger bed.

It turns out that Bella is a really needy dog. She just has to be near her humans all the time. When we come home, it turns into a huge "event" because her excitement feeds the other dogs who get all worked up. I thought she'd be happy sleeping with Tucker in the dining room, but she left him behind and came to the people. I'm not quite sure if this is a problem, or just a quirk we will need to live with. The funny thing is, I wanted the second Golden partly because Tucker can be needy too--I hoped the two would occupy each other and free up my time a bit. That has happened for the most part, but sometimes they all want attention at the same time and I think, "What have I done!?!?!"

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

If I remember correctly from a few weeks back, Bella was an outside only dog for most of her life, until you got her?
She's loving her new life with her new people and will do anything to be with you.
Suggestion....can you bring additional crates into the bedroom? If you have room and don't mind that, it could have her nearby and the small doggy can continue to have her place on the bed.

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I agree. Amber will stay either in her crate or on her big pillow at night. We close the door to keep her from roaming.

That's my long term plan--to get both crates into my bedroom. I need to move some stuff out of my bedroom. I guess I need to make it more of a speed-it-up type of plan.

I must say though, that she has successfully wrapped herself around our heart strings. It is wonderful to come home and have someone so very excited that I'm there. And I thought Tess and Tucker were pretty excited before... LOL

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

Max pretty much follows me around the house. He has never been in a crate. He slept in our bedroom, on the bed, his first night, with no problem. Now, he sleeps in the bedroom, either on the bed or on the bathroom floor. Only problem, if I get up in the middle of the night, must turn on a light, to make sure not to stumble over him. Wherever he is, he does take up a lot of room.

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Dave

Bella has come a long way in such a short time. Obviously you have done something to make her trust you and love you so much. Congratulations! lol Goldens love their people and need to be with them so I would get to the organizing and cleaning asap.

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Elizabeth

Buddy does not do crates. He is scared of them. I am sure if I had put him behind the baby gates when I first rescued home he would have escaped them, too, like Bella. I would just enjoy it but that is me

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I do what I like and like what I do. Yorkies- Cozy (4/1/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/11/08), Lucy (4/6/09); Golden- Buddy (4/13/09- Rescued 12/11) Maine Coon cats- Mika (1998) and Tallulah (2000)

Max's Dad, pick up some low wattage night lights, they really help. Most of the time my two start out in their beds, but often move to the floor, or in the bathroom. I never know for sure where they're going to be, I came close to stepping on or falling on top of them several times. That's when I decided to pick up the night lights.


Outwest, sounds like Bella has really bonded with you. Both of my GR's are adopted, are very attached to us and have a strong need to be as close to us as possible.

I often see this need with dogs that have been rescued. I think alot of it has to do with their previous lifestyle and living conditions. They come into a household where they are no longer just a dog but an actual family member, they bond very closely and quickly to their new family and have a strong need to be as close to their people as possible.

I too would work on rearranging your bedroom as soon as you can so all of you can be together and if you need to, get a bigger bed.

Wendy427 posted this in the Jokes and Laughs section-it seems appropriate.


http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...ml#post1847724 (Make room for Daddy!)


Make room for daddy-

She got out of her crate again. This time, though, she slept through the night, and showed up in my bedroom around 7:30. Guess I'm gonna have to use ties on the latches. Sweet silly dog.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

Bella, Bella, Bella...
On the positive side it must feel so good to know she will do anything to get by your side!

Honestly, I sometimes have a hard time opening/closing the crate and I have opposable thumbs- how the heck is she doing this?!!

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4/1/2000 ~ 1/7/2011

Bailey Missing you Loving you Forever and ever.