Toby

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RAGOM Welcomes Toby!! Toby is a 1 1/2 year old neutered golden doodle. Oh my gosh, he is adorable!! He's tall like a Poodle, but filled out like a Golden. I'm excited for our vet visit to see how much he weighs. Toby is a well-loved, well mannered boy who was surrendered due to family changes. He knows all the basic commands and he kennels up with no problem. In fact, at bedtime, when he sees my hand reach in to treat jar, he's makes a b-line in to the bedroom and runs in to his kennel, sits down, and waits patiently for his treat. Toby is used to sleeping in a kennel, as well as being kenneled when the humans are away. Toby is fine with free run at night, but he likes to sleep on the bed (as do the resident fur-kids) and there just isn't enough room for everyone! When FD was out of town, Toby slept on the bed - he doesn't move about in his sleep, he doesn't snore, he's not a bed hog, and he doesn't steal the blankets....hmmm.

Toby does have a couple of less than desirable traits - nothing that I feel can't be worked with/or avoided. Toby will counter surf - now, if the counter is kept clean, no reason to surf, right? And, Toby will guard "treasures", primarily treasures from the garbage can. His former family dealt with this behavior by playing the "trade" game, and it worked well. Before Toby came in to RAGOM, he was re-homed with the help of his breeder. His new family was told about Toby's guarding issue and was advised how to deal with it. Evidently, they chose not to play the trade game and instead pulled on Toby's collar to remove him from the situation. Toby growled and, when the human kept pulling, Toby bit. He did not draw blood. That's when Toby's original owner called RAGOM and we are more than happy to help find this awesome boy a wonderful forever home.

I had to play the trade game with one of my resident dogs (who came in to RAGOM because he bit). Now, most often, I can take "treasures" away from him without doing a trade. It took time, but I think we built a mutual trust. One last thing, for some reason Toby feels like he has to body slam the patio door when he wants back in the house. We're working on sitting first, and then we open the door to come inside.

Besides being GQ handsome, Toby is a multi-talented guy - he knows how to lift the lid on the garbage can (hence the treasures), push open doors (if not tightly latched), and lift the toilet seat if thirsty...what a smart boy, huh? And, he loves to play and run. The first day here, he wore out my entire pack, one by one.

My wishes for Toby's forever home are:

• A family that understands and is committed to play the "trade game" with Toby.
• A family committed to take Toby to obedience classes - not because Toby is not obedient, more-so to work together to gain trust and "bond".
• A physical fence.
• Another energetic dog in the home, or close by. Toby loves to play and has energy to burn.

More to come after our vet visit on Thursday! Enjoy Toby's pictures - is he adorable or what?!?!