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How to calm down this Gold Retriever pup?
I have a 9-month-old AKC-registered female Golden Retriever whose behavior I
would like to "tone down" a bit. The dog was obtained primarily as a pet for my child and is kept n my backyard except during bad or very cold weather, which is not a frequent occurrence in my Southern California location. The problem I have is that I feel the dog's "overly enthsiastic" behavior is inhibiting me from doing things such as just pulling up a chair to read a book in my backyard. I really only actually see the dog once or twice a week (sometimes less) and, when I do greet her she gets so excited that she jumps on me, slobbers on my arms, mouths my hands etc. to such an extent that I now dread going out to where she is, knowing what lies in store for me. Basically, I would like to keep the dog but wish she would be more "cat-like" and mellow, that is, I wouldn't mind her coming up to me when she sees me but I would prefer to just pet her and show affection without her getting so excited. Now, I **KNOW** it's a dog and not a cat, and that I can't really expect a dog (especially a young one) to be as mellow as a housecat. But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? |
#2
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Goldie95856 wrote:
But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? It will not cease until she starts getting a whole lot more exercise and attention than she is currently getting. I suggest the following course of treatment: 1) Bring her into the house, *AT THE VERY LEAST* in the evenings when the family is home. Full-time would be better. 2) At least one hour of adult one-on-one attention a day (walks on leash, playing ball, training sessions etc.) 3) Obedience class once a week. Unfortunately, if she remains in the back yard with adult contact "only once or twice a week (sometimes less)" she is only going to get worse, not better. Dianne |
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Goldie95856 wrote:
But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? It will not cease until she starts getting a whole lot more exercise and attention than she is currently getting. I suggest the following course of treatment: 1) Bring her into the house, *AT THE VERY LEAST* in the evenings when the family is home. Full-time would be better. 2) At least one hour of adult one-on-one attention a day (walks on leash, playing ball, training sessions etc.) 3) Obedience class once a week. Unfortunately, if she remains in the back yard with adult contact "only once or twice a week (sometimes less)" she is only going to get worse, not better. Dianne |
#4
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Goldie95856 wrote:
But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? It will not cease until she starts getting a whole lot more exercise and attention than she is currently getting. I suggest the following course of treatment: 1) Bring her into the house, *AT THE VERY LEAST* in the evenings when the family is home. Full-time would be better. 2) At least one hour of adult one-on-one attention a day (walks on leash, playing ball, training sessions etc.) 3) Obedience class once a week. Unfortunately, if she remains in the back yard with adult contact "only once or twice a week (sometimes less)" she is only going to get worse, not better. Dianne |
#5
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Goldie95856 wrote:
But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? It will not cease until she starts getting a whole lot more exercise and attention than she is currently getting. I suggest the following course of treatment: 1) Bring her into the house, *AT THE VERY LEAST* in the evenings when the family is home. Full-time would be better. 2) At least one hour of adult one-on-one attention a day (walks on leash, playing ball, training sessions etc.) 3) Obedience class once a week. Unfortunately, if she remains in the back yard with adult contact "only once or twice a week (sometimes less)" she is only going to get worse, not better. Dianne |
#7
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From: (Goldie95856)
I have a 9-month-old AKC-registered female Golden Retriever whose behavior I would like to "tone down" a bit. She's a 9 month old Golden - pretty routinely exhuberant. The dog was obtained primarily as a pet for my child and is kept n my backyard except during bad or very cold weather, which is not a frequent occurrence in my Southern California location. That means she's LONELY. Of all breeds, Goldens are total people dogs who need to live with their family. Shame on the person who sold her to you who didn't explain this. I really only actually see the dog once or twice a week (sometimes less) and, when I do greet her she gets so excited that she jumps on me, slobbers on my arms, mouths my hands etc. to such an extent that I now dread going out to where she is, knowing what lies in store for me. Of COURSE she does. She's living in exile. She's so thrilled to see a human being she can't contain herself. If she actually lived with you she wouldn't react this way - she'd be used to your company. Have you done any training with her? Who plays with her, how much, and when? Who feeds her? She sleeps outside as well? How old is your child and what does your child do with the dog? Basically, I would like to keep the dog but wish she would be more "cat-like" and mellow, that is, I wouldn't mind her coming up to me when she sees me but I would prefer to just pet her and show affection without her getting so excited. She's not a cat, she's a dog. She is also a breed and age that LOVES being with her people, needs to play, needs to work, needs to interact. Now, I **KNOW** it's a dog and not a cat, and that I can't really expect a dog (especially a young one) to be as mellow as a housecat. But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? When you start treating her like a family member rather than something that is in the yard and available at your convenience. I realize that sounds harsh, but imagine having a child and keeping it in a room and only interacting when YOU felt like it. You'd have a sociopath on your hands, and that's very much the way your Golden will react to her exile as well. Goldens need their people more than anything else in the world. They also need training. Unless you're willing to incorporate this animal into your life, a Golden Retriever Rescue group in your area can place her for you with someone who can. Janet Boss Best Friends Dog Obedience "Nice Manners for the Family Pet" Voted "Best of Baltimore 2001" - Baltimore Magazine www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com |
#8
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From: (Goldie95856)
I have a 9-month-old AKC-registered female Golden Retriever whose behavior I would like to "tone down" a bit. She's a 9 month old Golden - pretty routinely exhuberant. The dog was obtained primarily as a pet for my child and is kept n my backyard except during bad or very cold weather, which is not a frequent occurrence in my Southern California location. That means she's LONELY. Of all breeds, Goldens are total people dogs who need to live with their family. Shame on the person who sold her to you who didn't explain this. I really only actually see the dog once or twice a week (sometimes less) and, when I do greet her she gets so excited that she jumps on me, slobbers on my arms, mouths my hands etc. to such an extent that I now dread going out to where she is, knowing what lies in store for me. Of COURSE she does. She's living in exile. She's so thrilled to see a human being she can't contain herself. If she actually lived with you she wouldn't react this way - she'd be used to your company. Have you done any training with her? Who plays with her, how much, and when? Who feeds her? She sleeps outside as well? How old is your child and what does your child do with the dog? Basically, I would like to keep the dog but wish she would be more "cat-like" and mellow, that is, I wouldn't mind her coming up to me when she sees me but I would prefer to just pet her and show affection without her getting so excited. She's not a cat, she's a dog. She is also a breed and age that LOVES being with her people, needs to play, needs to work, needs to interact. Now, I **KNOW** it's a dog and not a cat, and that I can't really expect a dog (especially a young one) to be as mellow as a housecat. But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? When you start treating her like a family member rather than something that is in the yard and available at your convenience. I realize that sounds harsh, but imagine having a child and keeping it in a room and only interacting when YOU felt like it. You'd have a sociopath on your hands, and that's very much the way your Golden will react to her exile as well. Goldens need their people more than anything else in the world. They also need training. Unless you're willing to incorporate this animal into your life, a Golden Retriever Rescue group in your area can place her for you with someone who can. Janet Boss Best Friends Dog Obedience "Nice Manners for the Family Pet" Voted "Best of Baltimore 2001" - Baltimore Magazine www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com |
#9
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From: (Goldie95856)
I have a 9-month-old AKC-registered female Golden Retriever whose behavior I would like to "tone down" a bit. She's a 9 month old Golden - pretty routinely exhuberant. The dog was obtained primarily as a pet for my child and is kept n my backyard except during bad or very cold weather, which is not a frequent occurrence in my Southern California location. That means she's LONELY. Of all breeds, Goldens are total people dogs who need to live with their family. Shame on the person who sold her to you who didn't explain this. I really only actually see the dog once or twice a week (sometimes less) and, when I do greet her she gets so excited that she jumps on me, slobbers on my arms, mouths my hands etc. to such an extent that I now dread going out to where she is, knowing what lies in store for me. Of COURSE she does. She's living in exile. She's so thrilled to see a human being she can't contain herself. If she actually lived with you she wouldn't react this way - she'd be used to your company. Have you done any training with her? Who plays with her, how much, and when? Who feeds her? She sleeps outside as well? How old is your child and what does your child do with the dog? Basically, I would like to keep the dog but wish she would be more "cat-like" and mellow, that is, I wouldn't mind her coming up to me when she sees me but I would prefer to just pet her and show affection without her getting so excited. She's not a cat, she's a dog. She is also a breed and age that LOVES being with her people, needs to play, needs to work, needs to interact. Now, I **KNOW** it's a dog and not a cat, and that I can't really expect a dog (especially a young one) to be as mellow as a housecat. But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? When you start treating her like a family member rather than something that is in the yard and available at your convenience. I realize that sounds harsh, but imagine having a child and keeping it in a room and only interacting when YOU felt like it. You'd have a sociopath on your hands, and that's very much the way your Golden will react to her exile as well. Goldens need their people more than anything else in the world. They also need training. Unless you're willing to incorporate this animal into your life, a Golden Retriever Rescue group in your area can place her for you with someone who can. Janet Boss Best Friends Dog Obedience "Nice Manners for the Family Pet" Voted "Best of Baltimore 2001" - Baltimore Magazine www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com |
#10
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On 13 Feb 2004 19:07:38 GMT Goldie95856 whittled these words:
I have a 9-month-old AKC-registered female Golden Retriever whose behavior I would like to "tone down" a bit. Exhuberant beahvior is normal for a Golden Retriever puppy. It is even fairly normal for an adult, although maturity will tone it down somewhat. It sounds like the person selling you the dog did not do a very good job of explaining what to expect. The dog was obtained primarily as a pet for my child and is kept n my backyard except during bad or very cold weather, which is not a frequent occurrence in my Southern California location. Well, this is going to be part of the problem. It takes a lot of practice to learn good social behavior. The puppy will not have had anything close to enough opportunity to practice when kept in this manner. The problem is not weather related. It is that dogs are highly social and they are designed to live in packs. Their mental development depends upon forming pack relationships and extensive pack interaction. This development is impaired when the dog spends most of its time apart from the human members of the family. The problem I have is that I feel the dog's "overly enthsiastic" behavior is inhibiting me from doing things such as just pulling up a chair to read a book in my backyard. The dog needs several things. First, and most important it needs to spend a lot more time in direct contact with all family members. Second it needs a structured environment, pretty much the same way you raise a polite child. By now the dog should have had quite a bit of obedience training. To provide that structured environment you put that obedience training into effect. Ask the dog do to something in order to get something. Third, the dog needs more in the way of mental and physical stimulation. A Golden Retriever should be getting off the property everyday so that it develops the skills to cope with the new and different, and so it gets both mental and physical stimulation. Total ground covered for a walk would be 15 - 45 minutes at a brisk pace. A walk, won't be enough, but adding 15 minutes of fetch will be a big help. I really only actually see the dog once or twice a week (sometimes less) and, when I do greet her she gets so excited that she jumps on me, slobbers on my arms, mouths my hands etc. to such an extent that I now dread going out to where she is, knowing what lies in store for me. Seems natural enough to me. If you are only seeing the dog once or twice a week who is spending the 3-4 hours a day with her that she needs? The reason dogs make good companions is because they have very strong social needs. Anything less than 3-4 hours a day of interaction is going to make for not only an unhappy dog, but one very likely to have serious behavior problems. It isn't normal nor natural for a dog to spend a signficant amount of time alone. Basically, I would like to keep the dog but wish she would be more "cat-like" and mellow, that is, I wouldn't mind her coming up to me when she sees me but I would prefer to just pet her and show affection without her getting so excited. Your wishes for the dog are not realistic. They aren't fair to either you or the dog. If you wanted something fairly calm and independent then you selected the wrong breed for sure, and the wrong species most likely. One of the things you will need to consider is the effect of all this on your child. YOU may be having problems with the dog, but how does your child feel about it? Do you just give up when things don't go as expected? Or when you make a mistake do you take a deep breath and meet the challenge of making things right? No matter what decision you make your child will learn something from it. Exactly how you handle it will influence what your child learns. And most of us can tell you from experience that the lesson, whatever it is, will be profound and long lasting. I strongly suggest you have a chat with a child professional such as a child psychologist to get some perspective on this. Now, I **KNOW** it's a dog and not a cat, and that I can't really expect a dog (especially a young one) to be as mellow as a housecat. But I'm wondering if/when I can expect this overly-excited and annoying behavior to reduce or cease? There is a lot you can to do make the dog's behavior more acceptable, but that means a lot of change. Your story is all too common. Your experience is why we kill millions of dogs every year. It is common for people to acquire puppies without having a realistic understanding of what is involved. Many people will research the right brand of toaster more carefully than they will consider the right living animal. You can buckle down and provide this dog its social and physical needs, and end up with a wonderful companion. Or you can contact Golden Retreiver rescue and try to place the dog. What will not work is continuing along the same lines. The dog is not going to change until and unless its needs are met, that means becoming part of the family, getting daily exercise WITH family members, getting some structure etc. The lack of care and concern from the person who placed the dog with you is why I so much focus on responsible breeding. It wasn't fair to either of you, and not fair to your child either. A responsible breeder would have made sure you had more realistic expectations, and would have been there for guidence and advice. Diane Blackman http://www.dog-play.com/ |
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