Offered a three year old golden retriever .. we've just met him ..

[goshwhatnow]

And he's divine ! Huge though, mouthy and affectionate.
This will be a rehomed dog as family situation is not suitable for a dog and the dog needs so much more than the family can cope with at the moment.
The dog is from a. Reputable breeder, kennel club , microchipped, vaccinated, wormed etc. I've seen all the paperwork.

When we met him, he was in a small area surrounded by a child safety gate.
He had not been out for his walk but had been out in the garden for
Most of the day.
He was extremely excited, mouthy... pulling at my sons sleeve and hand and actually put a hole in his sleeve. He was dying to get out and knocked through his safety gate. And big! He is so tall also when completely upright.
This is where he spends his evenings as kids are very small.

We are dying to have him as part of our family but need to know that we are a good fit for him and he is a good fit for us.
We are a family of four. Very calm, quiet and relaxed home. Plenty of room but normal sized garden, side passage with a large shed.
What would you advise here ?
Some More training or is this just the way grs are at this age and stage and f development ?

I hate crating, unless for travel. Its responsible for so much abuse. I hate to see any animal caged, and yes, I know some people say their dogs love it, but it doesn't sit well with me.

We had a disaster with a 2 year old rescue golden retriever and blame ourselves.
The rescue centre told us nothing about him but that he was bouncy.
We had had rescues before but they had always settled down within a week or two.
We took him home and he had absolutely no recall and still loved chewing things. We sorted out the recall and we used to walk him for 3 walks a day adding up to about 2.5 hours a day but he needed more. Different places, let him swim for up to a hour. Gave him frozen kongs, kids would play with him but he still bounced about endlessly. He was a food stealer and would endlessly try and eat food of the kitchen tops and also try and escape the house. He could open the front and porch door by scrabbling at the locks unless chained and would run up and down the street.
Sadly we had to rehouse after 2 years as I grabbed his collar when he trying to eat the dinners on the kitchen table and he bit me quite badly. We had 3 kids and it wasn't safe.
Luckily he was rehomed to an adult only family. Broke out hearts as he was gorgeous and gave the best licks. But really needed more walking and training.

@Quitelikeit then you are very naive.

GRs can be aggressive, to people as well as other dogs. And a male GR with these issues can be very powerful and easy to lose control of. People need to get out of their head an image of a soft mouthed eager to please, hairy, soft as putty golden. Some can be bad, and if not being rehomed through the breeder or GR specific rescues then there is a reason

A vet won't tell you anything OP, they are bound by confidentiality. You could ask the current owner for a written vet history though, where the vets basically print out all the contacts they have had with the dog and why. But the current owner could make this up I guess if he wanted to go to such lengths.

If you are adopting via a sanctuary why aren't they doing all the communication between you both?

Of its KC why isn't it going back to its breeder? Most decent breeders will insist on this.

Have you seen this dog interacting freely around its current house, so in and out of rooms, going up nicely to all family members? Or have you just seen it in a room of its own behind some kind of baby gate?

This case literally has red flags waving at you. Don't ignore them.

I'm not an expert in dog training and some people swear by crating, but none of our 9 pups/dogs (including two that were only three months apart), was ever crated aside from in the car or on a ferry. I just don't feel it is good for their mental development, particularly for bigger breeds, and I don't accept the excuse of needing a "safe place". It is perfectly possible to offer them a quiet space without caging. I think confinement anxiety can cause more behavioural issues than people realise. Larger dogs can also get muscle and joint problems from spending hours crated overnight or when the owners are out.

Free range pups toilet train early and learn adult behaviour really quickly. I've never had issues with mine chewing the furniture, I use gates so I can restrict them to the kitchen at night when they're young.

But I know, it's off topic and it's a whole different subject....🤐

We got a 3 year old rescue (not a retriever ) who was very mouthy. We had 2 older children. It was quite stressful for a month or so. Has an older mouthy dog hurts! We got a good trainer and did 4 one to one sessions which included us all. We went right back to basics, he learnt quickly. After that I took him to classes for 8 weeks too. If you are committed to doing on going training I'm sure he will learn quickly. Just be prepared to put the work in and I would recommend keeping a training lead attached in the house, especially if you have visitors.

Is this going to be your first dog? I meet lots of goldens on out on walks and they are always so lovely and chilled. My puppy will jump all around them and whilst some other dogs would snap goldens are so unbothered by him. I don't think they are the smartest dogs but they are very eager to please hence easily trainable. They are big dogs and it's very important that they are well trained.

In your specific situation though, I find it suspicious that the owners are not letting you see him on a walk and they sound like they just want to offload him to the first person who says yes. He may be perfectly fine, or it may be that he's very reactive and aggressive towards other dogs and very very hard work.

Do you have any experience with dogs?

I wouldn’t care about having papers, being kennel club registered, being vaccinated etc and those mean nothing.

My dog was found on the streets, I have no clue what her history is or even what breed, I know she has a bull breed in her.
She may have been abused, from a back street breeder and she definitely wouldn’t have had papers or been kennel club registered etc.

But she is the best thing in the world and I couldn’t wish for a more amazing dog.

I don’t know anything about this dog you’ve mentioned but I don’t have any concerns from what you’ve said.
She just sounds excited and that can easily be sorted out.

If you feel you have the time and energy etc to take her on then I would give her a chance.
You seem pretty sensible to me and i think you’ll make a wonderful owner.

Sorry if I've missed it op but you seem to have missed out a crucial piece of information - how old are your children? This dog probably wouldn't be a good fit if they're small.

It definitely sounds like this is an under-exercised untrained dog living and its behaviour isn't necessarily indicative of its underlying nature if it was treated properly. (And that doesn't include using a crate - please don't do that if you do take it on).

It's a shame the owners approached a local animal charity rather than a breed specific rescue. The latter would assess the dog, fostering for observation if necessary, to make sure its new family is a good fit. They would also obtain vet records and arrange necessary paperwork to avoid any attempt to reclaim the dog or pass it on without notifying the rescue charity.

It sounds as if the current owner's focus is on getting rid of the dog rather than finding a new home that is suitable and therefore likely to be permanent. It's very dodgy that they won't let you take the dog for a work (you could use a long line to test recall). Or even letting you accompany them on a short walk to see if the dog pulls etc.

We've had a couple of rescues at 6 months - and believe me by that age lots of bad habits are heavily ingrained in. By 3 years it will be much worse.

I think you should work on the basis that this is a problem dog and consider if you are prepared to commit the time and effort he will take. Great if he turns out to be fine, just a bit excitable. But assume the worst just in case. Don't take him I'm hoping he'll be fine.

@PyreneanAubrie - totally agree with everything you say about crates. Never needed to use them and all my dogs have created their own safe spaces.

Listen to this poster OP, they clearly know what they're talking about.

Ask him why he hasn't contacted the breeder? As others have said, my breeder had me sign a contract to say my dog would go back to her if any problems, I saw her take back one of his siblings. Why is this not happening?

What good will ringing the vet do?

Why is the dog not at the sanctuary? I think it's a lot to take on with young kids op and I say this as someone who got our dog when I was pregnant...

Gorgeous as they are they are big powerful dogs and can easily knock kids over with their enthusiasm, and clean sweep tables with their tails.

The not talking for a walk would be a huge red flag for me. I would imagine he pulls, has no recall etc or possible reactive.

I dont think this is your dog.

I wasn't comparing the dog to marriage, I was comparing the warning signs - they are applicable to most situations in daily life.

Sounds like you are in a good position to be able to turn it round for him.
Id expect there to be a trial period

I would be very wary about this dog. He's 3, bad habits will be well set in and need a lot of time and effort to train away.
Why haven't they contacted the breeder? That would be the normal first step.
Then the vet- who probably won't be able to tell you anything due to client confidentiality.

If you know who the breeder is you could try contacting them...

Contrast your experience with how we got our latest Goldie.
We've had Goldens for over 40 years- mostly bitches, usually 2 at a time. After the of older one died, we waited a bit then started looking. We didn't want another puppy, but were concerned about a rescue. We looked at a couple of rescues, but they had too many issues to fit in with our needs.
Eventually I saw an advert for a retired breeding bitch- age 6. We went to look. We saw the dog and her sibling playing in the garden, she met our dog on and off lead, we saw her playing with the children (a toddler and a primary age one). We had a cup of tea in the house with the dogs.

Pressed send too soon! The owners were honest in that they told us she wasn't used to cars or being walked on a lead (exercised off lead on their farm). We could have waited and gone back for another visit, but did all the paperwork and took her home. (France so ownership has to be registered)

They seem to be limiting to contact you can have and pushing you to decide quickly- why?

Be prepared to wait for the right dog.

DMam’s retriever is now 2, and still mouths (super gentle, she just likes holding our arms 🤣). Also very excitable. My mother was told by someone on the road who also has retrievers that they’re essentially forever puppies.

If you have the space, time and experience owning dogs, I think you should go for it! Be warned though, they drool!! I did not know they drool!! 🤢🤣

@goshwhatnow I think you're right to be suspicious. Not letting you take the dog for a walk even is ridiculous and I think they're trying to hide something.

I would also be concerned that the dog has bitten someone and that's why they're rehoming.

I hope you get some answers from the vet and rescue.

What's the situation with the breeder? Is there a contract and have the owners offered the dog back to them?

I've been in a very similar situation with a younger dog. The owners were dishonest to us and to the breeder who didn't know the dog had been rehomed until the kennel club contacted them.

It worked out ok for us in the end but we'd been dishonestly been given a dog with quite a lot of behavioural issues that we might not have been willing to take on.

Thanks. I spoke with vet and animal sanctuary and while neither explicitly said to run.... they said to run if that makes sense...
Behaviour consistent with being on his own in small area all day long and crated from 5pm
Each day and no interaction with family really. Also walking and socialisation and training were highly questionable.
He is a beauty and will be rehomed with the person who can provide all the time that those in the know said he will need, to essentially start from scratch.
I wouldn't have the resources needed for that in terms of time etc
Thanks everyone. Sad but know I've made the right decision for him and for us as a family.

What sort of life is that for a large breed dog? I really hope he gets a good owner who won't lock him away.

You've made a sensible decision but you do have to a lot to offer and the right dog for your family will be out there somewhere.

I've two friends who re-home golden retrievers from sanctuaries. No young children but time and patience was rewarded in time.

Next door neighbour brought home the latest one a three year old, three years ago. I was scared of him at first. If I went out to the car he'd tear round and nip me. So I started carrying dog treats. He learned that I was okay and we're friends now. Oddly he never bothered my husband.

Now he's well socialised, loves people coming round for drinks or a BBQ. He loves the groomers too.

It takes time and patience to bring them around.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5197068-the-pod-cast?page=12&reply=139706498

I thought I’d post this thread. It’s about another re-homed dog, and the ups and friend the owner has experienced. It’s not a golden retriever, but may give you an indication of what to expect. If nothing else, it’s a lovely thread to read (and the ears!).

Sorry, just seen your update. I think you’ve made the right decision. Sometimes you need to let the head rule, and not the heart.

Goldies are epic, I am currently on number 4.
Couple of things to bear in mind in general
Big, clumsy and muddy
Can resource guard
need to watch their weight
Peopley dog so can suffer from separation anxiety (ours is fine)
Generally love people and think its mutual
Stubborn - they can just sploot down and you can't move them
Look like teddies but big teeth and strong so you need to treat them with respect, and encourage others to (especially kids)
Joint issues are common
I don't think they should be crated beyond puppyhood.

I would also view the reasons for rehoming (I am assuming selling?) with suspicion unless you have cast iron proof, people lie to sell problem dogs

This is the stereotype I’m afraid but please everyone I know from experience they are not all like that and I’ve heard more than one person talk of poor traits in goldens increasing in recent years, I would say probably because of poor breeding. When you’ve seen a golden really attacking another dog the shock is because you would not have imagined that would be possible. I was that person. They are huge dogs and so need to be taken seriously, despite the fact yes that they can be truly amazing. Just no complacency.