Odin

JD is a 17 month old male Golden Retriever. This is what his heartbroken family have to say about him:

“With deep regret we need to rehome our male Golden Retriever, JD. He is neutered, chipped, and up-to-date on his jabs. He is an absolutely beautiful big boy, with a deep golden coat. He is brilliant with people and children, however, he has intermittent dog aggression. He currently lives with our 2 year old Pomeranian without any issues – they adore each other and he plays very gently with her. He also walks with several dogs off lead, and we dog sit for a family dog without issue, so it is not all dogs that he has issues with. However, due to the unpredictability of his aggression we are currently walking him on a muzzle. He rarely plays with other dogs, though now he is muzzled he seems more open to play. I can give more details of his aggression to anyone who is potentially interested, triggers etc.

His basic training is ok, he can sit, down, roll over, paw, leave, stay, in your bed, up, off etc and walks reasonably to heel (though this could probably use some more work). He will lay quietly while you prepare his meal, and wait for the OK to eat. He greets people very submissively and sits at their feet for a cuddle. At home he is as soppy as can be!! He is not hyper or hectic and can be left for large periods of time without becoming destructive. Unfortunately, due to his aggression, he can no longer accompany my husband to work during the day so is being left alone for increasing amounts of time – up to 9 hours a day. This is of course no life for a working breed. He is no longer getting the exercise that he needs with us. We think that with the right exercise and training his aggression can be managed, however, we do not feel that we are in the right situation to provide this for him.”

FOSTERER’S REPORT

JD came to us from his owners who were having difficulty with him with other dogs and wanted to see what he would be like with ever so sociable Lucy and Prince. Lucy and Prince have bonded really well with each other so it was a little difficult for JD to bond with them. There seemed to be an air of disinterest all round.

JD, meanwhile, quickly found his feet, realising that this was his new home. In the past he must have been allowed upstairs and on furniture but here he is not and he has accepted it very well. He is a very quick learner!

He walks very well on the lead, but still needs a bit more work; he is loathe to sit and wait to cross the road but, again, is learning . He sleeps very well during the night and is patient whilst waiting for his dinner.

We have let him off lead by the river (this is a place we go to which we know to be very safe for dogs) and this is his favourite place. His recall is excellent and he is never happier then when he is chasing about and swimming. He never strays and is always constantly checking to make sure mum and dad are coming.

He is disinterested in other dogs, much preferring the company of humans and is 100% loyal. He needs a home preferably without other dogs or at least one that can match him for energy although l think there would be some competition initially.

He needs a firm owner who can stimulate his mind as well as exercising him for hours. In return you will get the most loyal loving dog.

JD IN HIS FOREVER HOME

Robin says. “Having decided to visit JD for possible adoption on Thursday 29th of April 2010 we drove the 200+ miles from West Dorset to Mansfield to see him. Upon our arrival we were immediately greeted by JD with ball in mouth and his two foster companions, all three Goldie’s were full of beans and just happy to see some new faces. JD was obviously the youngest of the three with the most energy as after some greeting cuddles, he insisted that I play ball with him. His foster parents also greeted us with a warm welcome and some much needed tea after 4 hours of driving.

We talked and played with JD for around an hour. The more we learned about him and got to know him the more we knew he was going to be our baby.

He was a little nervous of getting into the travel crate at first, but soon curled up inside without a single complaint. On the way home we stopped off to visit my grandparent’s grave to change the flowers. The village park was close by so we took JD for a walk on a long retractable leash. His behaviour on the leash was impeccable !. Even when approached by other dogs, he did nothing more than a low quiet growl at a large black male Labrador. When a loose Husky off its leash came towards JD, he wanted to be friends and was wagging his tail happily “we think it was a female LOL”. The rest of the journey went without a single murmur from JD, he was the perfect travel companion.

On arrival home we knew there was a possibility of some sparks between JD and the cats. So we had made sure JD was on a very short leash. However, what we did not expect was that it would be the cat who needed to be restrained. Poor JD walked through the door peacefully only to find himself assaulted most rudely by our resident Maine Coon / Persian cross Tom Cat called ‘Smokey’. Smokey started behaving like a rabid Pit Bull with a mission. In restraining him I was scratched and bitten myself a few times. Whilst I caught Smokey before he could get at JD, it’s now apparent that JD has a firm respect for him. We have a polished wooden floor downstairs and on one occasion I had to restrain Smokey again. This time he didn’t go for me, but was definitely doing his best to get at JD. I held Smokey around his middle and his paws were wheel spinning like a hot rod car, until he realized I wasn’t going to allow him to get at JD. Now when ever JD sees Smokey he will usually hide behind myself or my wife. I think it’s all just because the cat sees JD as an invader to his territory. But things are starting to calm down now, with much less tension between them.

JD has been the 100% gentleman since arriving home and has been as placid and peaceful as any dog could be. Smokey is now starting to realize JD is here to stay and needs to be accepted as one of the family. I would give them a month and they will both be basking on the rug in front of the fire together side by side.”

We have now changed JD’s name to “Odin”, as he is the king of the Norse Gods and also has very long locks of blonde hair. Odin is supposed to be wise, intelligent and fearless. We think the name fits our new puppy well.