Bailey

Profile

Bailey is a 5.5-year-old Golden who came into RAGOM from a small dog rescue organization in North Dakota. She was surrendered along with her friend Beau (16-116).

She was spayed before she joined RAGOM, was brought up to date on her vaccinations, and started her heartworm and flea/tick preventatives on July 1. She does need a DAPP booster on July 22.

Bailey is in good general health and is not taking any medication. However, she is a bit heavy for her size (85 pounds) and is being fed a lower-calorie food and getting used to a smaller portion size. And she is getting short bursts of exercise (short walks, playing fetch in the yard) while she builds up her conditioning and stamina.

She received a summer cut from her previous owner, so her coat is short and spiky right now. But based on her beautiful tail feathers, she will have a pretty traditional Golden look.

Bailey has been in her foster home for a little over a week. And with all of the significant changes in her life, we have been taking it pretty slowly. She is not an overly confident dog, but once she figures out a new situation or sound, she is just fine. And she has a wonderful curiosity and is learning very quickly.

She is housebroken (no accidents), knows her basic commands (sit, down, no, leave it, come), and can generally be coerced with a happy voice or a small treat. We do see little bouts of stubbornness when she looks at you like she has no idea what you are saying to her. Generally, this revolves around sitting at street corners or going into her kennel on command.

Bailey is a very quiet girl. She has a nice, rich bark, but uses it very sparingly, generally when she is startled. She loves to sit at the front window and watch dogs and people walk by, but does not bark. There is construction next door, and the workers on ladders and roofs usually require a short burst from her.

Squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks are her kryptonite. She will stalk and chase them for endless hours in the yard. And on walks, she remembers where she saw all the animals on the previous walk, so is ready to investigate again. When she is in this mode, she will buck the leash and ignore any recall commands. So it will be important not to get lulled into complacency by this easy-going baby.

Bailey likes to go for walks, but stills gets tired pretty quickly and needs continued work on her leash manners. She will pull with just a flat leash, so we have been working with a Gentle Leader. She is getting used to it, but still fights it a bit in the early stages of every walk.

This sweet pup has a pretty chill personality. She can be silly and playful, and will carry one of her stuffies around when she is excited. Bailey will chase a tennis ball for a few times, and then wander off and lay down in the grass with her ball. She will lay in front of the back door or in her crate while Foster Mom is working. And she loves to be out in the fenced yard stalking chipmunks when it is not too hot.

We are still getting to know Bailey and expect to learn more about her dog interactions and how she does being left alone in the coming days/weeks. Please contact your Placement Coordinator if you would like to learn more about sweet Bailey.