Tara

MAY 2017

Tara has gone to her Forever Home

AUGUST 2017

Unfortunately, Tara’s home didn’t work out so her fosterer, Lynn, was more than happy to take her back and Tara enjoyed seeing all her friends again.

On 16.8.2017. Lynn reassessed Tara saying ” Tara has been back with me for just over a week now. She has completely de-stressed, the constant whining has stopped and she is much more relaxed.

She is getting along with everyone and playing rough and tumble with Sunny, Ben, Billy and plays chase with Betty.

There has not been any aggression from her at all towards people not even a lip curl never mind a growl or a bite. I have brushed her and her tail which seemingly her owner could not get near without her trying to bite her. Its not her favourite area to be brushed but she accepts it without a problem.

She is still possessive with toys but takes them from the other dogs with a little more respect than she used to.

I have not given her continuous commands and just let her be a dog. She is actually quite a sensitive soul and gets quite excited about things. Sometimes her exuberance gets her into trouble! If you tell her off she gives a worried whine as she doesn’t like to get things wrong but sometimes just can’t help herself.

She is going to need a home that is quiet and relaxed with country walks and probably another dog for security. Too busy a home life and too much going on outside and in the garden cause her anxiety and stress, therefore a change in her behaviour.

She is still in good health. Her coat is quite brittle and dry but she is being brushed daily and is getting coconut oil.

Tara is eager to please but sometimes her excitement gets the better of her. She is sensitive and a worrier and doesn’t like to get things wrong.

When Lynn went on holiday, Tara moved to another fosterer close by where she proved to be a big hit.

After six weeks, it was all working out so well, her fosterer decided they just had to adopt her.

DECEMBER 2017

We are delighted to say, Tara is extremely happy in her perfect forever home

HISTORY

Tara is a stunning, deep golden, 2 year old Golden Retriever.  This lovely girl has yet to be spayed as we are awaiting an imminent season but she has had her inoculations to go to the UK. She is very healthy.

Tara came from a good home but they found that they no longer had the time for her. They were very upset on relinquishing her and wanted to be assured she would get a good home.

PERSONALITY Kathryn said “She  has a rambunctious personality.  She is a beautiful girl and needs lots of love and patience as she doesn’t know what’s happening”. 

SOCIAL LEARNING

TRAVEL: She travels well in the car, though she does whine initially.

HOUSETRAINING: She is house trained. 

RESOURCE GUARDING: She is fearful and can be food possessive. Naturally, as with all rescues, it is essential to feed her separately.  

DOGS: She could go as an only dog but we think she would benefit from being with another dog or dogs. She loves Darcy and lets him get away with murder.

FOSTER ASSESSMENT

Lynn, her fosterer, a couple of days after Tara’s arrival in Scotland, said “Where to start with this complex character! She is highly intelligent and picks things up quickly. Initially, she showed signs of  fear aggression, food aggression and resource guarding of people, her bed, toys and food. She had no trust in people. She was obsessed with food and plates and got excited if someone was carrying a plate after having their dinner. However she was much more tolerant of people going near her things than she was of other dogs. She was quite snappy with the other dogs but seldom made contact. She also got excited/panicky if I was moving blankets/towels/washing.

Every day, there is an improvement with her. I can take toys from her without trading. She takes food gently from my hand. I can pick up her bed and blankets now and she does not panic. She is very affectionate and loves cuddles. She is good with other dogs now providing they are not in her face or trying to investigate the same mouse hole!

She has had absolutely no basic training apart from “sit”. She does not know her name, has no recall and has no idea about wait, stay, down etc. She won’t be a quick fix.

On walks, again , she is improving but tends to do her own thing then catches you up. She walks well on the lead. Her growls have turned into whines if I correct her. She has a lot of potential and is not a bad girl. She knows no boundaries and has not been corrected so does not know right from wrong. She now trusts me and is eager to please. I need to establish her basic training whilst correcting her behavioural issues but cannot introduce behavioural training until her basic training is established”.

A fortnight on, Lynn was very happy to report “Tara is a great dog in the making. The improvements she has made in the last two weeks are massive. She has very few issues with people to speak of. I can pick up and put food in her bowl, move her off her bed without objections. Take toys out of her mouth without any issues at all and she takes treats gently. Her social skills are improving and she is not anxious or panicky any more.

She is good with treats and will sit beside the others and wait for her one. She has no problems if another dog has the toy. She now lies happily in the company of the other dogs without growling and even lies right beside them. She will play fetch down the garden and chase after the ball with the others and only snappy barks occasionally.

Areas that still need work are ……. her guarding her bed (but this is improving daily) and she will bark and snap sometimes at the others but she never makes contact. She has started 6 or so squabbles by doing this but if another dog makes contact with her she just lies down and does not fight. She needs to learn to respect the other dogs and not go over the top or under them or push through them.

She wags her tail all the time and is a happy girl, she loves her cuddles but can be a bit pushy. She is a thief and will whip anything from the kitchen counter even if you turn your back for a second”.  

TARA’S DREAM HOME

She could go to a knowledgeable home with someone who will continue her training. She would be best suited to an active couple without any children and with a lot of experience of dealing with rescues. She will need time to adjust to her new situation and will need someone who has plenty of time to help this girl trust again and be the star of the show.