Monty Barber

MONTY LOST TWO GOOD FRIENDS

Three years after his adoption and a very happy life, Monty’s family lost Macey on 25.2.2019 but they opened their hearts to a new friend for Monty in April 2019.

The two boys got on really well but, sadly, Monty’s lovely new friend became poorly and passed away on 30.9.2019 leaving Monty and his Mum and Dad, Jenny and Chris totally devastated again.

HISTORY

In 2016, Rusty (now Monty) was an approximately 6 year old, neutered, microchipped Golden Retriever.

He came out of kennels and went into foster with Heather. He was a little under weight but nothing dramatic.

There was no background on him at all but, from the night she picked him up, he was a sweetheart, albeit a smelly one, who just wanted to be loved and petted.

PERSONALITY

Heather thinks he is a beautiful dog with a personality to match. Looking for attention, he likes to sit and put his two front paws on her chest.

SOCIAL LEARNING

General attitude: In the kennels, he was no problem. He showed no sign of aggression towards other dogs or to the owners or to the 5 dog walkers that were going in and out walking, brushing, teaching them manners and generally spending time with them all.

When Heather got Rusty out, he greeted her with a big smiley face and an “oh thank goodness you have come to get me” look. He was quite relieved to be out. It took him a few hours to realise he wasn’t in kennels and the newness of the house was alien to him. He barked for a while but soon realised he had freedom and it was ok. Eventually, he slept all night and didn’t stir.

Leadwalking and recall: Heather took him out for a walk to see how he handled being on a lead. At first, he was scared and wandered all over the place, in front, then behind, then to her left then to her right. He didn’t really pull just wandered. He cowered every time a car went past. Trying to tire him out, Heather took him for a long walk with the others. He was watching Pepper and Bailey and, clearly, thought “ok I will try this walking nicely lark too” because, from then on, he has walked well with no pulling and generally at heel.

The next morning, she took him for a walk and let her two dogs off lead as normal but she felt it wasn’t safe to do the same with Rusty as he didn’t know his name. He didn’t pull when he saw the possibility of going off to play and was quite content with being on the lead beside Heather.

She had him off lead a few days later and he returned to her (eventually) but as she had been working on his name and recall, she was pleased with his progress.

Another day, with several other Retrievers, he was in swimming with no hesitation and kept coming back to her, sitting and looking for approval.

Food: Heather put a bowl of food down for him and he ate it slowly with no aggression when Pepper walked past him. In fact, he was going to let her eat with him, waiting until she had finished. He has been sharing a water bowl with both her two dogs.

Children: As he is not a bouncy dog, Heather’s sons have been able to walk him with no problem at all.

Dogs: On arriving home, he met Heather’s two dogs, Pepper and Bailey. He went up and sniffed them, they greeted each other and that was that. There was no fear or agression.

Cats: He saw Heather’s cats and wasn’t too sure of them at first but now he doesn’t even acknowledge them.

DREAM HOME

Rusty is a gorgeous dog who just needs a loving home where he will be walked and played with. He could be rehomed with or without other dogs and with or without children.

GREAT NEWS (April 2016)

Monty went to live in his Forever Home where he had a lovely girlfriend, Macey, to show him the ropes.