Casper
Sad News 23 August 2024
Casper passed to Rainbow Bridge on 23 August 2024. His dad, Jack, said that he’d had six dogs over his lifetime and Caspar was the best.
History
Casper is a handsome, castrated 6yrs Golden Retriever. As is usual, he has been health checked and has received the necessary vaccinations to come to the UK.
UPDATE (JANUARY 2019)
Casper’s forever Dad, Jack told us “Casper has settled in well and is bringing a lot of joy to our household. He has such a lovely nature and we all adore him. He still has an issue with other dogs when out for walks but, gradually, he is getting better. I have attached a couple of photos”.
HISTORY
Casper lived in an isolated farm for most of his life and then was adopted by a family with 5 children. Apparently, he was perfect in the home and with the children and he did live with another dog.
Unfortunately, due to his lifelong isolation, Casper was reactive to other dogs when outside which the family found too difficult to manage so, reluctantly, they asked IRR to rehome him.
He is fostered in Scotland with Lorna and her two female dogs, Martha and Lola
PERSONALITY
Lorna says “I think Casper is quite an anxious dog and he can be quite stressed at times but he is becoming more relaxed in the house and is settling in to the routine.
He is starting to be a bit more confident and is also showing more interest in his surroundings when we go out.
CASPER’S DREAM HOME
Casper is a lovely boy, very friendly and affectionate but he, initially, lacks confidence in new situations so he is seeking a forever home with people who are willing to establish a strong bond with him through positive training. He likes to be with people but he is also ok to be left on his own in a familiar setting.
Casper would probably be best in an adult home as he is not hugely energetic and doesn’t do play. He walks well on the lead and is happy with a short walk.
He would probably prefer a cat-free home, although a strong-minded cat is often well able to control a dog, and he would probably be happiest as an only dog unless the resident dog is sufficiently laid back and dog savvy to be able to help build his trust.
He’ll make a fabulous dog for that special person.
HISTORY
Casper lived in an isolated farm for most of his life and then was adopted by a family with 5 children. Apparently, he was perfect in the home and with the children and he did live with another dog.
Unfortunately, due to his lifelong isolation, Casper was reactive to other dogs when outside which the family found too difficult to manage so, reluctantly, they asked IRR to rehome him
He is fostered in Scotland with Lorna and her two female dogs, Martha and Lola.
PERSONALITY
Lorna says “I think Casper is quite an anxious dog and he can be quite stressed at times but he is becoming more relaxed in the house and is settling in to the routine.
He is starting to be a bit more confident and is also showing more interest in his surroundings when we go out”. HEALTH
Casper was a bit thin and out of condition when he first came to us but he is steadily putting on weight.
SOCIAL LEARNING TRAVEL: Due to the heat since his arrival, we didn’t go out in the car but he was good during the 4hr journey from Ayr to his foster home. Sunsequently, it has been found he travels well in the car and is happy to jump in.
HOUSETRAINED: Casper is fully house trained and there have been no accidents.
BASIC TRAINING: Casper has had some basic training in the past as he can do a sit, a down and he sits and waits to cross the road when we’re out walking.
He’s beginning to wait when his food is put down. He loves his food and getting treats so he is fairly easy to train and picks up commands quite quickly.
LEADWALKING: He walks reasonably well on a lead with very little pulling.
RESOURCE GUARDING: There has been no sign of resource guarding around people but this hasn’t been tested with dogs.
SEPARATION ANXIETY: Initially he tended to follow me about but he is now more relaxed. There have been no issues overnight.
He has been left for short periods with no problems. Casper has a bed in the hall and on the landing and this is where he is left if I go out. He feels secure in that space and there have been no issues. He did chew some things when I left him in the kitchen.
ADULTS: He is very friendly towards people and likes to be with them. He really loves a cuddle.
CHILDREN: During his time in foster, he has met older children and has been fine.
DOGS: This is Casper’s only problem and will need ongoing work. He is not well socialised with other dogs and can react badly, due to his anxiety and fear, if they invade his space.
Lorna says “We can walk him with our 2 dogs without any problems and we did manage to stand calmly with another dog that paid him no heed but he will react with any dog that gets too close.
In the evening, we have the three dogs in the living room together when they all tend to be snoozing but Casper is still on his lead so we can control him if necessary”.
CATS: Initially, we only saw cats in passing on our walk and he wasn’t interested but we now think he would probably be better in a home without cats as he has decided that they’re fun to chase!
CASPER’S DREAM HOME
Casper would probably be best in an adult home with people who understand dog behaviour and who are willing to establish a strong bond with him through positive training.
A country home where Casper wouldn’t need to come into close contact with other strange dogs would be ideal. He realy needs a cat free home, although a strongminded cat is often well able to control a dog, and he would probably be happiest as an only dog unless the resident dog is sufficiently laid back and dog savvy to be able to help build his trust.
Casper is a lovely boy who initially lacks confidence in new situations. He’s very friendly and affectionate and likes to be with people but he is also ok to be left on his own in a familiar setting. He’s not hugely energetic and doesn’t do play. He’s happy with a short walk and he walks well on the lead. He’ll make a fabulous dog for the right person.
DECEMBER 2018
Casper has gone to live in his forever home.