Professor Bailey
Professor Bailey is a 3yr old, castrated Golden Retriever. He received all the necessary vet checks and his inoculations in Ireland before travelling to the UK where he was fostered by Jackie and family.
SIX MONTHS UPDATE (19.4.2019)
Six months ago we were lucky enough to give Professor Bailey his forever home. He has settled in wonderfully and has made us laugh every day. He lives life to the full and has gone from strength to strength. He now has muscles on his once puny legs and his pads are no longer soft from lack of exercise. We can’t feel his ribs or his backbone anymore, his coat is glossy and his eyes sparkle. He seems to be almost smiling most of the time and his tail rarely stops wagging. He likes ‘helping’ me in our big garden and wood and he loves ‘helping’ me fill the log rack which usually results in him either getting in the way or stealing the logs when I’m not looking. Cheeky boy!
He loves his new friends: Belle my daughters Retriever, and Barney my sons Cockapoo who come round to play regularly. He still has a few issues (goes nuts) when he meets another dog when on his lead but we’re working on it. He’s fine when he meets other dogs off his lead however. We’ve had 4 retrievers previously (all raised from puppies) and have never had a rescue dog before but it’s been a very rewarding experience. I feel immense satisfaction from knowing we’ve turned Bailey’s life around and he thanks us for it every day – I can see it in his face and he loves a cuddle!
A big thanks to all at the IRR – keep up the good work.
HISTORY
Bailey was relinquished by people who realised he needed more time spent with him than was possible for them to give him and they, simply, wanted the best for him.
PERSONALITY
Jackie says “Professor Bailey has continued to endear himself to us. He is a happy, bouncy boy and has given us a lot of pleasure.
He is quite even tempered, pretty confident and is alert and inquisitive. He enjoys a walk and loves nothing more than a cuddle. He Is happy both snuggled up to us or to our dogs.
He gets very playful and bouncy and will steal shoes etc. for attention but Bailey is, really, just a 3 yr old puppy who, although he does need firm boundaries is a thoroughly nice chap.
HEALTH
He has had an operation on the back of his neck which has healed well.
He is a bit on the lean side but he eats well and has been better on a cold pressed food.
SOCIAL LEARNING
TRAVEL: He travels happily behind the front seats on a harness and seat belt.
HOUSETRAINED: Bailey is fully housetrained, in fact, he is extremely clean.
BASIC TRAINING: On arrival, he would sit on request and, sometimes, would lie down when asked.
LEADWALKING: and RECALL: His lead work has improved but his recall needs a bit of work when he is distracted.
He was a little worried when cars passed and was happier on quiet footpaths. Now, Bailey walks nicely with a headcollar or body harness. We use a waistbelt as a backup to the headcollar although he is walking beautifully now when we pavement walk. He doesn’t pull on a long line and will stop if there is any restriction.
His recall is quite good in the house and he reponds to his name but he is not so good, as yet, when there are distractions.
RESOURCE GUARDING: Bailey has shown no evidence of resource guarding.
He is fed in the same room as our older girl and will sit and wait for his food. He eats slowly and doesn’t go to our girl’s bowl. He did try to counter surf when he first came but has not done it again. We can now prepare food with him in the room.
SEPARATION ANXIETY: There are no signs of separation anxiety. He is happy to be left with the other dogs or by himself.
ADULTS He is very friendly with adults. Bailey loves people and will happily sit for a fuss. He has met the postman and has been out for socialising in the local coffee shop.
CHILDREN Bailey is very friendly with children. He met our 2yr old and 4 yr old grandchildren and was very gentle but he would be very excitable without supervision. Because he is bouncy and clumsy, he would be better suited to older children.
DOGS: Bailey arrived from transport and settled in quickly with our two girls (10mths and almost 8 yrs). He has particularly responded to our younger bitch. He will sit for a fuss when meeting people but he is excitable with dogs if they get close so we have been moving closer slowly and he has sat quietly whilst we chatted.
CATS: Given his reaction when we’ve met them on a walk, Bailey would probably chase cats given the opportinity.
BAILEY’S DREAM HOME
Bailey needs a home with people who are happy to continue with his positive training. He needs plenty of exercise and would love it if he had one or more canine companions.
He would be fine around older children but would probably be too lively for smaller ones. A cat free home would be the best for him.
With just a little bit of time and energy given to him, Professor Bailey will, for sure, be a wonderful companion and friend to the lucky people who adopt him.
SEPTEMBER 2018
Bailey has gone to live in his Forever Home.