Marco

Marco is an 8 year old neutered, golden coloured Golden Retriever.                                                                    

HISTORY

Marco came from the Offaly Pound. Michelle, the Dog Warden is a long time friend of IRR and any time a Golden comes into the Pound, IRR is notified. ‘Old friends are Golden Friends’ and nothing could be truer of that statement than Michelle. We have taken many, many dogs from Offaly Pound including the very well known Duke who some might have put him down but Michelle rallied to his cause.

Two days before Marco came into the Pound, they were told that the husband didn’t want to let Marco go but a new baby was the priority. The Pound was full so the receptionist said he would have to wait. Luckily for him, as soon as Michelle heard the magic words “Golden Retriever” her ears pricked up and she knew there would be a fabulous home found for him by IRR.

The man was told to bring him in as soon as possible and, although Offaly Pound closed at 1pm, Michelle waited until 5.30pm so that Kathryn could drive the two hours to collect him after work. He was in good shape so a wash was all that was needed then a health check and his vaccinations to acquire the passport and relevant documentation needed to travel.                                                           

KATHRYN’S ASSESSMENT

TRAVEL: He travels well in the car and often sits bolt upright afraid he will miss something. He moves all the rugs off the car back seat and rubs his scent on it, so it’s ok.

BASIC TRAINING: He is superb at sits and stays and whirls around like a spinning top when he is supremely happy. He loves a ball and will go anywhere to get it back.  He craves affection especially when he is doing something good, he thrives on positive comments when trying to do his best and will do it again and again to show you how good he is.

LEADWALKING: He hates being pulled by the collar, so a body harness is best. He is afraid of traffic and will snuggle into your legs as a comfort.  This needs work.

EATING: He gobbles his food and this can be taken away from him, but a gobble bowl is the best thing to slow him down. The advice is to leave him alone and feed him separately and give him time to adjust knowing that it won’t be his last meal. He also gobbled his treats until he was taught ‘shuush,  gently shussh’. This shussh sound made Marco realize that taking the treat gently was what was wanted and, true to his word, he gently complied.

CHILDREN: Marco is too boisterous for children and would be better placed in a home without them.

DOGS: He is good with dogs though cats are a challenge.

MARCO’S DREAM HOME

He is best suited to a quiet home with no children and with another Golden for company. Although Marco is 8 years old, he needs somebody who has previous Golden experience and who will work with him, by getting him into a routine. Marco deserves a wonderful home, full of love and understanding with a new pal to make his life complete. IRR promised Michelle, from Offaly  Pound that we would do just that and that is exactly what Marco will get …. a wonderful magical home full of love and happiness.

ON ARRIVAL IN THE UK

On arrival in the UK, his first fosterer was Gwen who said “Marco improves daily.  He is a very happy boy who answers immediately to the name of Shadow (which was his name on the pound form).  To help him settle, I have used that name as he didn’t respond at all to Marco.  I thought it best for him as he was so unsettled and insecure on arrival.

PERSONALITY

He seems to have a wonderful temperament. He is confident, alert and inquisitive,  playful and happy.  My initial assessment on day one would have been boisterous and energetic but he is now much calmer although still full of energy and very playful.   He’s an absolute star – and extremely handsome!! Shadow is a lovely boy who adores attention although he is also happy to amuse himself with his toys especially the squeaky ones.  He loves to be groomed  and had no issues with his tail.

Overall, Shadow will be the perfect dog for someone at home most of the time and possibly with another dog for company, as long as the family don’t have a squeaky pet.

After an initial flurry of trying to get to Erik, the parrot, he has done very well in the evenings ignoring Erik’s taunts. 

HEALTH

Shadow has a “stagger” which doesn’t seem to bother him and he copes with well.  It surfaces when his head is either down (to pick up a toy or sniff when out) or up (to take a treat).  It does not happen all the time but it is too regular to ignore.  We’re off to the vets on the  5th  April.

TRAVEL: He is excellent in the car, always happy and content to be travelling in a vehicle 

HOUSETRAINING: I think he probably has been housetrained and is improving daily with letting me know he needs to go out. 

BASIC TRAINING:He is well socialized and trained in basic commands.  I think he is capable of much more as Shadow is very quick to learn and is both toy and food oriented. 

LEADWALKING and RECALL: He walks `loose lead’ with a body harness. He is a very strong dog but is extremely good on his lead.   His recall is good and I’m reinforcing it on walks with a treat, which he loves.

RESOURCE GUARDING: I have seen no evidence of resource guarding.

SEPARATION ANXIETY: I haven’t left him yet.  He was initially very insecure but he is  improving daily.

ADULTS:  He is very friendly

CHILDREN: I have children coming on Friday.  One little boy did cuddle him on a walk and he had no issues but I think the balance problem could knock over a small child so a home with children is best avoided.

DOGS: Very friendly  He loves his walks and is friendly with every dog and human he meets – even the occasional growly dog – although he doesn’t pull towards them and is quite happy just to walk past.  I think he would enjoy the company of another dog, especially one he could play with.

CATS: He chases cats out of my garden in a playful way. We haven’t come across on walks yet

PARROT and CHICKENS:  He loves his ball and anything that squeaks.  Unfortunately, that includes the chickens next door and my parrot. Although there was an initial flurry of trying to get to Erik, he has been doing very well in the evenings ignoring Erik’s taunts.

1.5.2018 SECOND ASSESSMENT AT ALISON’S

With Shadow’s possible home falling through, he has moved to a foster home with Alison.

CHARACTER and TEMPERAMENT

Marco is confident, not afraid of loud noises is alert and inquisitive. He loves playing and never seems to tire. You can come back from a long walk and he’ll still insist on playing until he finally collapses for a nap.

He can easily get over excited and that’s when things become a bit chaotic as he’ll be all over the place, running round and squeaking toys non-stop but I’m finding I can calm him down and he loves some gentle massaging which relaxes him and sends him off to sleep. With all the rain we’ve been getting, he loves the water, the bigger the puddles the better.

He enjoys a good rub down with a towel and, having the hairdryer to dry him, he becomes relaxed and sleepy again and enjoys being groomed. Marco (Shadow) is a lovely very playful, boisterous and strong boy who would suit someone who is used to handling a strong dog, with no small children due to his balance/stumbling but he may like a play mate his own size.

He loves to play, squeaking his toys endlessly, and enjoys lots of hugs and belly rubs. He’d be on the go all the time if you let him. For the main part, he’s been brilliant but he did get wound up on initially meeting my sister’s Cavapoo (Rosie) who can tend to squeal a lot and be yappy which, obviously, wound him up. However, we stood a few metres apart for the pair to calm down then we walked to the park and Marco took no further interest in her.

He’s certainly a boy who has character and spirit. He loves being outdoors and a part of what’s going on.

HEALTH

He certainly has the energy of a younger dog and is, generally, in good health. His coat is beautiful and he has a magnificent tail. His balance and stumbling is still a concern, though, as sometimes he comes off his legs usually when he’s a bit over excited. It’s a strange one though as he loves his walks and you’d think what balance problem? It is much more noticeable indoors. He’ll lean against you or anything for support and sometimes with a ‘rocking’ motion side to side.

SOCIAL LEARNING

TRAVEL: He travels well

HOUSETRAINED: He is now house trained and settles and sleeps well at night

BASIC TRAINING: He is well socialized and has been trained in some basic commands. He is improving with these and is responding well with new ones.

RESOURCE GUARDING: There was just one incident over a toy.  In the last few days, he has started a bit of counter surfing and jumping on sofas but he stops when told. He is a typical Goldie, always wanting food.

SEPARATION ANXIETY: He doesn’t appear to show any problems when left alone but I don’t think he’s a dog that would like to be left long.

ADULTS: He loves people and is very friendly. He always greets visitors well with no jumping up or barking.

DOGS: He does get anxious when dogs are approaching but I feel sure he would love to play with some dogs especially the ones his own size. Training will need to be ongoing in this respect.