Your new Golden will be nervous and excited. Please withhold food and water for several hours. If the dog is extremely thirsty, substitute ice cubes or give just a little water. Too much liquid or food on an excited tummy can cause upsets.
If your Golden is freshly neutered or spayed, please follow the instructions that were given to you either by your veterinarian or the adopting GRREAT member. Allowing a dog with stitches to be too active can result in the incision opening and may require additional surgery. A little caution in the beginning is all that is needed. Watch for signs of infection. Any redness or swelling should be evaluated by a veterinarian (yours or ours) immediately!
Don't worry if your new Golden does not eat for a few days. New surroundings will sometimes throw them "off their feed". If, after several days, the dog is still not eating, please let us know. Do not spoil or cater unnecessarily to a dog that will not eat. This establishes bad habits that will then have to be broken. Put the food on the floor and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Any uneaten food should then be removed and nothing should be given until the next mealtime. Don't worry, your dog will not starve.
It may take your new Golden several days or even several months to settle into the routine of your home. Remember, these dogs have been through a lot and every dog will react differently. As your dog settles in and starts to feel a bit more comfortable he or she may try to see how far they can push the rules. Do not be taken in by a pair of soft brown eyes. It is normal and natural for a dog to try to push to the highest level they can in the "pack". You need to be patient, consistent and firm (not harsh) and stick to the rules as you have set them. It would be safe to say that in almost all cases where a dog did not stay in a family, there were many little red flags along the way to indicate problems. This is as true for a puppy raised in the home as it is for an adult dog adopted later in life.
Because each dog is different, each dog's behavior should be considered separately. Some things that you need to watch out for are possessiveness of food or toys, be it with other dogs or with people (or children). Does your dog ignore you when you tell him or her to get off the couch or does he or she grumble when you finally shoo them off? Is your dog trying to tell you who's couch (or food or toy) it really is? Does your dog get very rambunctious when you play tug or wrestle and not listen when you say it is time to stop? Play fighting (or tug of war) is one of the ways dogs establish the pecking order in the pack. Are you setting yourself up for a showdown? Is your dog being "mouthy"? Grabbing a hand or wrist should not be accepted. It is natural for a Golden to want something in his or her mouth (after all they are Retrievers!) so teach your dog to go get a special toy when they are excited, NOT your hand. Consider your dog's personality. Do not encourage improper behavior. While Goldens are known for their easy going nature some are more so than others.
CATS You will probably find that the cat is more put out by the new dog than the dog is by the cat. Make sure before the dog is brought into the house that the cat will have a secure place to "escape". DO NOT force a confrontation! DO NOT try to introduce the animals to each other. Keep the dog on lead (even in the house). If there is any sign of hostility to the cat, give a sharp jerk on the lead and simultaneously yell NO! NEVER LEAVE STRANGE ANIMALS ALONE TOGETHER. Separate them while your are away or are unable to watch their actions. Normally it can take 2-3 weeks for the dog to adjust even if it has never seen a cat before. If the above corrections do not work (and you must be patient and give it time - a week or so), please call us. There are other things that you can do. If you are in control of the situation, accidents or squabbles should not happen.
DOGS Again, CONTROL is the key. The best way to control is with a leash. This means ALL dogs in the household, not just the new Golden! Correct any dog that misbehaves - new or existing .
Have the dogs meet on neutral territory (park, parking lot, neighbors yard) if possible. If not, let them meet outside, preferably in a part of the yard where the existing dog does not normally go. Have all dogs on a leash for immediate corrections (if needed) you do not want to stick your hand between squabbling dogs. NEVER soothe a growling or snapping dog by petting or telling him or her that "It's OK". It is NOT OK!!! The leash should then be jerked quickly and be told sharply NO!
Using a crate in the house is very helpful. In lieu of a crate, baby gates, or another means of separating the dogs should be available to you BEFORE you bring your new dog home. Do not expect dogs to get along immediately. Establish yourself as Alpha and do not tolerate any misbehavior. Alpha does not mean harsh, as an alpha your should be benevolent but firm. Do not put the dogs into competition for anything, including your attention. Pick up all toys, balls, bones or favorite anything before the new dog comes into the house. Introduce the toys and bones gradually and in a controlled manner over several weeks. Do not feed the dogs together. If you cannot feed in separate rooms, feed with tails facing each other and noses in the opposite direction.
If you have tried all of the above and still are not happy with what is happening, please call. The earlier a problem is caught the easier it will be to correct We will be glad to guide you, either by phone consultation or with a personal visit. You will be receiving follow-up calls from a GRREAT volunteer but do not wait for us if you have a question. The follow-up calls are as much for your benefit as for ours. The volunteer will be asking you how the adoption is going and how the dog is fitting in. If you have a question or problem ask away! Please do not think we are trying to "keep an eye on you", we want the adoption to be a success as much as you do and are always here to help.