Golden Retriever Dog Forums banner

Visiting a couple of retired girls this weekend

750 views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  AmberSunrise 
#1 ·
Six weeks is long enough to go without a Golden around! Our ten year old Golden succumbed to a neurological disease that caused him to lose function of his hind legs and bowels. Is progressed rapidly and he went from being normal at the beginning of June to not being able to walk by the end of June. We sadly made the decision to humanely end his suffering.

He was such a great dog and perhaps we were fortunate considering we knew absolutely nothing about him when we adopted him. The only thing the nice country folks could tell us at the shelter is that he was found swimming around in some old ladies pond. He did in fact love water.

So we are this weekend going out to visit a breeder who has two retired girls ready for adoption. We love adult Goldens and can do without the whole puppy stage. They are cute to play with someone elses, but not a fan of the constant chewing and potty training.

I'd like to hear some advice or experiences of those who have adopted retired girls from breeders. The two I am consider are six and seven years old. They either stayed in the kennel or ran around the farm. Not spayed and not house trained. I know, I just said I didn't want to deal with a puppy to house train. How different would it be to house train a dog like this? Any other concerns I should have? I feel like I am truely saving these dogs and will be tempted to take both of them. It doesn't sound like they have had much human love or attention, so I want to change that. Here are some photos...
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzLvVe4N8zL7ZDNMTHYtSU9oQ28/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzLvVe4N8zL7R3ZnekhvNlA4RU0/edit?usp=sharing
 
See less See more
#2 ·
I have not adopted a retired girl, but I have welcomed many older dogs into my home and currently have Towhee who came to me when she was probably around a year and a half.

House training goes smoothly usually since the bladders are mature :)
More likely issues might be stairs, waiting at doors, coming back in when called, not knowing some areas are off limits (think counters, tables, your nice couch etc) if they have been kennel or yard dogs.

There might be fear issues for things like vacuums but these can fairly easily be worked through using treats. Games might need to be taught if you like playing games.

The biggest issue might well be a lack of socialization but I think most goldens can adapt readily to most people and the glimpses I saw of the photos, they are being handled and look clean so are at least groomed :)

Good luck :) I would think at their ages, you might want to consider getting them spayed (or whichever one you might choose)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top