Please, meet Teddy

[WardenRoss]

Exciting! Keep us posted!

If I have a pup that likes to bite me while playing (he's just mouthing too hard) I wear gloves and coat them with cayenne pepper. I do this when they are a young pup. This generally works.

I also coat the bottom 15" of their leash with the pepper too. If you do this when they are young it's generally effective to break them from chewing a leash. Older dogs are more difficult. Leash chewing is a big no-no and one of the first things I teach them.

I always wear heavy gloves when handling dogs (I spend a lot of time with GSD and Malinois'). You never know when you'll have to separate them if they go into crazy mode.

 

[BloodyThumb]

Good move sir. Dogs are my favorite people.

 

[mckenney99]

Best thing I ever did when training my huskies and my wolf hybrid was YELP loudly whenever they got a little carried away with the chewing/biting. It didn't take long before they learned to immediately release and gradually I was able to lower the volume of the YELP until eventually all I had to do is say OW and they would immediately release. As they grew older and out of the chewing/biting stage, the only times I would have to YELP again is when they were playing and would get a little carried away. The only thing I could never break the wolf from doing is "nibbling" with her front teeth as she licked, when she got excited, not painful but occasionally she would pinch you.

 

[lihpster]

Awhile back, I was living with some friends and the wife brought home a teacup poodle. Zuul was a strange dog. Like many others of her size, Zuul was stupidly optimistic on her abilities to take out a creature 10-20 times her size. She would also do the hand biting thing while you were petting her. Now, she never stopped that behavior with her owners, but she stopped really quickly with me. See, being so small, she couldn't get on the couch very easily. I'd pick her up and put her on the couch with me and pet her. Soon she would nip at my hands. I'd tell her NO. NO biting. Then I'd set her on the floor and ignore her. I'd wait a little while, then repeat. She learned that if she wanted my attention, no biting. Admittedly, a golden is another proposition. You'd have to have a tall couch.

 

[Doug M.]

I am glad to see someone take on a dog that had a cruddy start to life. My opinion of the first "person" who had Teddy would peel the paint off a battleship and get me enough points for a multi-year suspension.

We had a dog for a few years who was clearly maltreated before going into rescue, and the rescue was lied to about her history. It was a rough time and she was too damaged. She had great moments, and I would like spend a few minutes with the beasts who turned her. I still miss her.

 

[StrawHat]

Teddy has been drug free for 7 days. We have noticed some changes in his behavior. He is calmer, more interactive with the other two Goldens, and more "puppy like". He plays nearly non stop with Seamus but is trying more to interact with Quinn. She actually let him play tug with her for a few minutes but ended the game with a curled lips and a snarl! He backed off quickly but still being young and stupid, tried to sneak around from behind to take the rope toy. Quinn was having none of it and a chase around the great room ensued. Quinn may not be fast but sure knows the shortcuts and it was a lot of fun to watch.

Ted has also taken a lot of interest in the various delivery people that arrive throughout the day. He barks a warning to us and then a totally different voice to bark a greeting to the driver.

Thank you all for your thoughts and good wishes. Herself and I appreciate it.

Kevin

 

[M29since14]

It's gratifying to hear Teddy is getting along so well. Hopefully his health was not harmed by what appears to have been over-medication. There are persons who just shouldn't have the responsibility to care for a dog. I've heard the phrase, "Dogs are too good for him!" (Or them.) Well, Teddy is free of that problem now and hopefully will have a long, happy life with his new family. Thanks for the update.

 

[StrawHat]

An update.

Today marks one year since Ted adopted us and moved in. At first, he was a force with which I needed to reckon. He had no training and a very addled puppy brain.

We have all learned. We weaned Ted off the drugs. He has learned his basic commands and some others. He has also started to calm down. Here is one of his favorite spots to relax!

He is still very playful and boisterous when he plays. He and Seamus chase, bite and roll nearly constantly. But, as often as not, a scene similar to this can be found.

He has also become very helpful around the house. I was doing some work on the porch and could not locate my finish hammer,

I am not sure if Ted intended to bring it to me or perhaps use it himself to help me!

And, the three of them can still be clowns. The get treats when they all come in, usually to the command of "crate treats". The idea being they run to their crates, especially useful when wet or muddy. Sometimes it does not work as we envisioned.

So, one year with us! At times it seems like yesterday and at others, I have trouble remembering a time without him.

He is home.

Kevin

 

[Krogen]

I remember when you brought Teddy home. It was heartwarming to read about his rescue from the fate awaiting him. Great to hear that a year later he's doing well and living the dogs life.

 

[Imissedagain]

First Golden and Siberian in the Clan.
14 months and 14 weeks.
Kids watching Catoons?
They do help at Mom & Dad's animal hospital.

Welcome aboard, says PW.
Pic from a year or so ago.

 

[M29since14]

Thanks for the update. Good job, Kevin.

 

[Kevin G]

Thank you Kevin, I love a good Cinderella story.
Kevin G

 

[StrawHat]

Final Update

I am very sad to have to tell you this. This morning Herself and I had to take Ted to the vet to be euthanized. Last evening, he bit me, severely and unprovoked. We had just come in from our evening walk and I was having trouble unhooking his leash. Next thing I know, he is in full attack and I am the victim. This is the second event like this since he was weaned off his drugs. The first, we thought maybe I had missed some warning sign or had failed to see something. Last evening was totally unprovoked.

We are both feeling miserable, but, we had no choice. After the vet visit, I went to the emergency room where it took 15 stitches to close the two largest wounds. Many others were merely bandaged.

I feel terrible that I failed this poor dog.

Kevin

 

[Krogen]

Oh my gosh, Kevin. You folks opened your hearts and home to some poor dogs. Ted won't hurt anymore, your physical wounds will heal. Your heart is going to hurt for a while.

Know that you didn't fail him. You did all you could to rescue him. You can look in the mirror and know you did your best for him. Sadly, Ted's inside gremlins took over. Today you did what you had to do. My heart goes out to you and your wife.

 

[jeffsmith]

I Second that you did NOT Fail Ted
You took him in & Loved/Cared for him

An animal that becomes Vicious & Violent can no longer be a pet

You did all you could and your final act was actually merciful

 

[walter o]

MAY GOD bless you for your compassion .You will be justly rewarded .

 

[StrawHat]

We are now down to just one dog, Seamus, our 9 year old Golden. One is half my limit. When the time is right, another one will come along.

Kevin

 

[Kevin G]

Kevin,
I'm sorry for your loss. Doing the right thing can be difficult.
Kevin G


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Onomea]

Kevin, I am sorry for your loss. But, like the others say, know that you did the right thing, the kind thing, the responsible thing for Ted.

 

[WardenRoss]

I am very sad to have to tell you this. This morning Herself and I had to take Ted to the vet to be euthanized. Last evening, he bit me, severely and unprovoked. We had just come in from our evening walk and I was having trouble unhooking his leash. Next thing I know, he is in full attack and I am the victim. This is the second event like this since he was weaned off his drugs. The first, we thought maybe I had missed some warning sign or had failed to see something. Last evening was totally unprovoked.

We are both feeling miserable, but, we had no choice. After the vet visit, I went to the emergency room where it took 15 stitches to close the two largest wounds. Many others were merely bandaged.

I feel terrible that I failed this poor dog.

Kevin

Just saw your post Kevin. You have my deepest respect and condolences my friend.

May God bless you for giving Ted a chance.

I'm sure something bad happened to Ted as a pup. I blame his behavior on someone that abused him. Knowingly or unknowingly. That's where the blame usually lies.

Humans are sometimes the same. That's why Georgia has 47,000 inmates in the prison system.

I'm talking too much. I hope you heal soon. I wish you well.


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