Jack

Profile

Welcome Jack!  Jack is a 30 pound, unaltered, 5 month old, purebred Golden.  He has the happiest attitude I have seen in a while.  Jack was surrendered from a home where he was well-cared-for and loved by all.  The home consisted of three children under five, two adults, and two cats.  He got along well with both the cats and children.  He was surrendered because it was too much for the mom of the family.  She wanted to make sure he was going to a good home.  She felt very bad about giving him up, but knew it was best for him as he wasn't getting the attention he should be getting in their home.

At our first meeting, Jack was very shy and unsure of the new surroundings of his foster home.  It was a big jump at this young age to be taken from the only security he knew and to be exposed to a whole new world of other dogs and strange surroundings.  It took him a few hours to somewhat adjust and after that it was “bing, bang, boom,” and his personality started to show!  He has been here for five days now and is just like one of the family.  He is still leery of new things at times, but after he learns there is nothing to fear, he is okay. 

When Jack is afraid or excited, he piddles, but that should be corrected as he gets older and learns to trust.  Otherwise, Jack is mostly house trained.  He has free roam except at night.  So far, no problems.  He hasn’t learned to ask to go out yet, but will run in circles around the kitchen table to let you know it’s time.  He had one accident in his crate the first night, but no accidents since then.

Jack has the greatest personality and is very outgoing.  He prances around here like he owns the place.  He loves his rawhide chews and stuffed toys.  He can empty a toy box faster than you can blink an eye.  He doesn't chew inappropriate items and he doesn’t surf (although he did discover the laundry basket today).  

Jack has learned the pack order very quickly.  He attached himself to the resident male (Tyler is not overjoyed, but does tolerate it) and follows him like a shadow at a discrete distance.  Jack loves his walks twice a day and gets very excited when he knows he is going (piddle, piddle).  He can also get excited about meal time (piddle, piddle).  I have switched him over to a different brand of puppy food and that is working well.  

Right now, he doesn’t do well on a leash.  Jack pulls and will sit his fur-butt down and won't budge (like a stubborn mule).  We are working on this and hopefully soon, we will be able to correct this behavior.  Jack comes most of the time when called (unless he has something more important to do) and will sit when told.  He loves to play fetch and will bring whatever it is back to you and will generally give it to you.  He is learning that if he gives it up, he gets to play fetch again!  

Jack doesn't jump on people and stays off the furniture.  He is crated at night next to our bed.  The first night he was up and down all night, but since then he has done well.  I think the twice daily walks and generous playtime have him pretty tired by bedtime.  (A TIRED DOG IS A WELL BEHAVED DOG.)  Jack was a little whiny last night, but a few taps on his crate and he quieted down.  

I almost forgot:  He is afraid to get into the car.  Once in awhile, he does okay.  I suppose that big yawning open tailgate looks like some sort of monster to him.  Anyway, we are working to correct this behavior as well.

Jack went to see the vet on Friday 2/13/09.  He was updated on his vaccinations, had blood work, and a health check.  No results on the blood work yet, but the health check was A-okay.  His stool sample was another matter.  He tested positive for round, whip, and hookworms.  Jack was put on Panacor for three days and will need it again in another month.  Those intestinal parasites can be bothersome.  Most puppies usually have them, so I guess it is no big deal.  Heartguard Plus year-round will keep the parasites in check.  Jack is scheduled for neutering on Wednesday (2/18/09).  This also may change as our vet usually wants to wait for two weeks after vaccinations.  I will find out more tomorrow when I take my guys in for annual check-ups.

Jack is a typical Golden puppy.  He is playful, happy, inquisitive, and a quick study.  From what I have seen so far, he is well adjusted and readjusts well.  He needs to be obedience trained and should end up to be a wonderful dog for the right forever home.  He will need a fenced-in yard, as he needs plenty of room to run and play off-leash along with his daily walks.  He is also used to being with someone 24/7.  Jack came from a home with a stay-at-home-mom and he also has company here during the day at his foster home.  I think that about covers the needs in this boy’s life at this point in time.  Jack is going to make some family very happy.  He will certainly liven up their lives.  I think Jack will be great with kids that know how to act around dogs.