Diesel 14-381

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Profile

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
 March 7, 2015 preferred  8+  optional  no 
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

Is there anyone out there in need of a best friend?  If so, then RAGOM has the dog for you!  Diesel is a big (85 lbs.), goofy, sweet, handsome boy who just loves to do anything as long as he is in your company.

Diesel has bounced around a little in his four years, but has always been cared for and lived in a home and it shows.  He is well socialized, super affectionate, and loves people of all ages. He is big and a bit clumsy, and has never lived with children, so should probably not be in a house with younger children. Older kids would be fine. He is housebroken, has no known health issues, is neutered, and is up to date with vaccinations, etc.  He has some basic manners and likes to please, although he will need some ongoing work in this area from someone who is willing to reinforce the rules with authority (subtlety is lost on Diesel). He is motivated by food and by attention, so training won't be too difficult with him as long as he has consistency, as he likes to push his luck if he thinks he can sneak something past you.  He does counter cruise and is tall enough to put this skill to good use, but will back off with a "leave it" command.

Diesel loves car rides and walks and does pretty well on a leash; likes to walk in front and keeps some tension on the leash but does not pull hard or surge. His recall is not the fastest, but after he sneaks in one last sniff/woof/pee he comes galloping back to you. Diesel has a great medium energy level; he is always up for an adventure, but once settled in at home he is quiet and laid back.  His records indicate that he has never been crated.  He has not been left for a full day at his foster home yet, but has had free roam with his foster siblings for up to three hours and not been destructive.  Various dog toys and a few household items tend to be accumulated on his bed, but nothing has been damaged and he gives up his "prizes" readily upon request. He is also fine to hang out in the car while you run some errands.

Diesel is getting along well with a male and a female dog in his foster home.  He has some past history of fighting with dominant male dogs (when in a home with multiple intact males), but has been around several dogs this week and had no issues other than being overly affectionate with one of the girls he met. I don't know that he would like to live with a very active/in-your-face dog companion, but another "live and let live" canine would be fine. He has tried to initiate some play with the younger dog at his foster home, but they have different play styles and just haven't found a game that works for both of them yet.  Diesel should not be in a home with cats.

Here is Diesel's forever home wish list:

  • Someone(s) who's home has plenty of sun spots (inside and outside) that he can snooze in. He loves sunbathing.
  • Someone who doesn't mind help with washing his and/or her face.
  • Someone who thinks the dog should go along most of the time.
  • If other dogs are present they can be playful but should generally be of a "live and let live" mentality.
  • Someone who appreciates goofiness.
  • Someone who isn't afraid to enforce the rules/good manners.
  • Someone who likes walks and hikes and outings in all kinds of environments, but probably not anyone who wants a running partner.

If you are interested in this easy, affectionate, doofus of a dog please contact your placement advisor!

At a Glance #14-381

Mixed Breed Born: March 2011
Male 95 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:
Entered Foster Care Fence Kid Friendly Another Dog Cat Friendly
 March 7, 2015 preferred  8+  optional  no 
This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.

Is there anyone out there in need of a best friend?  If so, then RAGOM has the dog for you!  Diesel is a big (85 lbs.), goofy, sweet, handsome boy who just loves to do anything as long as he is in your company.

Diesel has bounced around a little in his four years, but has always been cared for and lived in a home and it shows.  He is well socialized, super affectionate, and loves people of all ages. He is big and a bit clumsy, and has never lived with children, so should probably not be in a house with younger children. Older kids would be fine. He is housebroken, has no known health issues, is neutered, and is up to date with vaccinations, etc.  He has some basic manners and likes to please, although he will need some ongoing work in this area from someone who is willing to reinforce the rules with authority (subtlety is lost on Diesel). He is motivated by food and by attention, so training won't be too difficult with him as long as he has consistency, as he likes to push his luck if he thinks he can sneak something past you.  He does counter cruise and is tall enough to put this skill to good use, but will back off with a "leave it" command.

Diesel loves car rides and walks and does pretty well on a leash; likes to walk in front and keeps some tension on the leash but does not pull hard or surge. His recall is not the fastest, but after he sneaks in one last sniff/woof/pee he comes galloping back to you. Diesel has a great medium energy level; he is always up for an adventure, but once settled in at home he is quiet and laid back.  His records indicate that he has never been crated.  He has not been left for a full day at his foster home yet, but has had free roam with his foster siblings for up to three hours and not been destructive.  Various dog toys and a few household items tend to be accumulated on his bed, but nothing has been damaged and he gives up his "prizes" readily upon request. He is also fine to hang out in the car while you run some errands.

Diesel is getting along well with a male and a female dog in his foster home.  He has some past history of fighting with dominant male dogs (when in a home with multiple intact males), but has been around several dogs this week and had no issues other than being overly affectionate with one of the girls he met. I don't know that he would like to live with a very active/in-your-face dog companion, but another "live and let live" canine would be fine. He has tried to initiate some play with the younger dog at his foster home, but they have different play styles and just haven't found a game that works for both of them yet.  Diesel should not be in a home with cats.

Here is Diesel's forever home wish list:

  • Someone(s) who's home has plenty of sun spots (inside and outside) that he can snooze in. He loves sunbathing.
  • Someone who doesn't mind help with washing his and/or her face.
  • Someone who thinks the dog should go along most of the time.
  • If other dogs are present they can be playful but should generally be of a "live and let live" mentality.
  • Someone who appreciates goofiness.
  • Someone who isn't afraid to enforce the rules/good manners.
  • Someone who likes walks and hikes and outings in all kinds of environments, but probably not anyone who wants a running partner.

If you are interested in this easy, affectionate, doofus of a dog please contact your placement advisor!

Updates

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Diesel attended his second Meet and Greet this weekend, and his unwavering affection for people won him some new admirers.  He is a big fan of all of the treats that he receives at these events, and for the most part ignores most of the dogs.  When he gets close to another dog - he generally sniffs appropriately - but does not show any real interest in engaging.  If no one was on hand to give him pets - Diesel was content to chill out.

Diesel continues to thrive in an environment with structure and routine and lots of stimulation.  He learns so quickly and does his best work when he has a clear understanding of what is expected of him.

He is really doing a great job on walks.  Both building his stamina (we are able to go for longer and longer walks all the time), and with his leash manners.  Diesel has really gotten the concept of "heel" and generally does fine on a flat leash attached to his collar.  He is no longer trying to walk at the "end" of his leash - but will stay at my side with the leash loose.  However - he still has a tendency to lunge at squirrels and bunnies - so we are using a Gentle Leader to continue to provide easy corrections.  We are also practicing having him stop and stand at heel when his human stops moving.

Crate training is done.  This morning - I was putting on my shoes to go to work - and Diesel kenneled himself in anticipation of my leaving.  Of course he looked at me - wondering why it was taking so long to get his treat.  Smartie pants!!
We introduced Nylabones into the house last week.  Gave each of the dogs a bone on an opposite side of the sofa.  Diesel enjoyed chewing for awhile - then curled up with his bone under his paw.  Never even got up to check on the bone that the other dog had.  I was also able to pet him and to take the bone out of his mouth while he was chewing.

Diesel is still getting excited during transitions (like arriving home from work and exiting his kennel) - and when he thinks something fun might be about to happen (like getting ready to go for walks or a ride in the car).  He tends to jump up and to spin and to vocalize.  I have already seen an improvement with the desensitization we are doing, but his adoptive family will want to continue with obedience training and giving him positive rewards for discontinuing these behaviors.  He responds pretty quickly to verbal corrections.  And is learning that he doesn't get to go anywhere until he sits calmly and gets his leash on.

We had some notes from Diesel's prior family that he had some storm anxiety.  Last night we had some thunder and it was a good opportunity to observe his behavior.  He was definitely "aware" of the noises and had his head up listening.  And he would not go outside (he doesn't mind the rain) while it was thundering.  But he curled up on his bed and I tucked a big towel snuggly around him and he went to sleep in the thick of the storm.  He got up at some point and came over to the bed for a pet on the head and then laid down again between his bed and my bed.  But he was not overly anxious.

Despite his heritage - Diesel is a terrible retriever.  Or perhaps I should rephrase that and say that Diesel does not really know how to play fetch.  He LOVES to chase (and collect) tennis balls, but like the other things that Diesel likes to collect, it seems that someone may have taught him that the game was "chase" not "fetch."  He knows "give" and will happily hand over anything you want to take out of his mouth.  With the exception of his tennis balls.  With these - he will put them in his mouth and bite down and then run past you but not stop to let you take the balls.  He will trade the tennis balls for treats - so using this right now as a way to show him that if he drops the balls - someone will throw them again.  His antics are very funny.  But he will get more exercise when we can teach him a different way to play.

The good news is - that Diesel has been doing a wonderful job of finding all of the tennis balls that were left out in the snow by previous fosters throughout the winter.  You can see in these pics that he is very pleased with his treasures!!

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Diesel continues to thrive in his foster home.  He has mastered crate training and is very calm and relaxed when going into his kennel (on command).  And has even started to hang out in his open crate when the family is milling about in the kitchen.  Here is a pic of him enjoying some evening sunshine.

He is just a really happy, well-adjusted pup.  He loves to play and needs lots of exercise - but generally speaking can make an easy transition from zooming around outside to laying calmly at my feet inside the house.

Diesel does like to trot around with something (anything) in his mouth.  He carries stuffies around the house and balls around the yard.  In our house - the stuffed toys stay inside and the balls stay outside - so we are still having some chats about not sneaking outside with soft toys and dragging them through the dirt and then trying to bring them back inside.  But it always takes fosters a few weeks to get the hang of the house rules.

Here are some pictures of Diesel hanging out in the yard with a new ball that a friend brought for him a few days ago.  Honestly - he LOVED this football - but loved it so much that it only took him about 10 minutes to dismantle it.  He does enjoy a good de-stuffing, so will need to have supervised playtime with anything that can be ripped apart.

If you are ready to take some long walks and to continue his training . . . Diesel will happily trade you for some big puppy hugs and kisses!

Stay tuned for more updates.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Happy Birthday Diesel!!!!  Our happy boy turned 4 today (March 23).  He wasn't overly impressed with the extra flavoring in his birthday dinner.  But he was pretty excited to have two tennis balls instead of one for his evening romp in the snowy yard.

Diesel attended his first RAGOM Meet and Greet this weekend and he could not have been more relaxed and easy going.  He LOVED meeting all the people that wanted to pet him and give him treats.  And he worked so hard to sit as he was saying hello to new friends.  At one point - he was so comfortable in the mix that he just laid down - even with two dogs noisily playing a few few away.  Diesel was fine saying hello to the dogs that approached him - and got in some sneaky sniffs with other dogs while they were occupied with humans.  He wasn't so sure about the fancy bandanna until he realized it meant more attention . . .

We got lots of questions about Diesel's family at Saturday's event - and realized that we had not shared anything about his heritage on this site.  Sorry about that omission - but here you go.  What's Golden and cuddly and loves tennis balls?  What is big and black and silly and loves tennis balls?  What is sleek and cunning and loves tennis balls?  Ok - you probably guessed.  Diesel's mom is a Golden Retriever.  And his dad is a Black Lab, German Shepherd, Husky Mix.  And this wonderful young dog has all the best of these breeds.  He is gentle (but clumsy), smart (and very eager to please), and about as cuddly and loving as a pup can be.

For those of you wondering about his grey chin - yes - he is only four.  He has some wonderful markings on his chest, belly and inside of his back legs as well.  Also when you catch him in the right sunlight - his back haunches have a wonderful auburn cast to them.

Diesel is really fitting in well in his foster home.  He is doing a remarkable job in his crate while foster mom is away at work.  And continues to be very responsive to verbal guidance.  Needs some continued work on the enthusiasm of his greetings (he is just SO happy when someone comes to see him), but he can generally be redirected very quickly.
So here are some things that Diesel likes and is not so sure he likes:

 

  • Tennis balls . . . likes likes likes
  • Human contact . . . likes likes likes
  • Walks . . . has not said no to one yet . . . getting two good walks/day and could probably use three
  • Snow . . . laying in it . . . rolling in it . . . walking in it . . . burying toys in it . . . you get the picture . . . 
  • Rides in the car . . . all day long . . . happy to just hang out and help with errands
  • Collecting stuff . . . enjoys grabbing random objects and then running away to see if you will chase him . . . 
  • Cats and squirrels . . . we have a difference of opinion on this topic . . . 
  • Sirens and doorbells . . . does not over-react . . . but even on television these noises put him a little on edge
  • Kids on scooters . . . to be fair they startled him when they zoomed by the fence . . . but this is one of the only times I have heard him bark
  • Tape . . . right . . . can't help you with this one . . . but the sound of both scotch tape and strapping (mailing) tape sent him running from the room

 

I mentioned earlier that Diesel was pretty pumped to have two tennis balls this evening instead of the usual one that he gets to "zoom" around the yard with after work.  I was delighted when he came and lined them up at the bottom of the steps for me.  So much easier than having to go find them in the snow.

If you are looking for a loving, silly, active, "go anywhere" kind of dog - you need to meet this special boy.  Here is a shot of him "running on air" this weekend.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Diesel moved to a new foster home in Minneapolis over the weekend (he was enjoying a spring break trip to Duluth for a week), and he handled the transition really really well.

On Sunday he rode calmly in the back seat of multiple cars from Duluth to Minneapolis. 

And then met his new resident sister dog (Senior Female Golden Retriever) with appropriate sniffs and greetings.  Within a few hours they were laying together in the kitchen.  And by Monday morning they were sitting side by side to wait for treats.

On Monday, we did a quick trip to the vet for a RAGOM wellness check, and to get him ready to start his preventatives in April.  Vet thinks he is a good weight and is in excellent health.  He was such a good boy.  No stress in the waiting area or when the vet and vet tech worked with him.  When they were out of the exam room - he just laid down on the floor.  No anxiety from this pup.  It was very funny - when the vet was listening to his heart - he sort of "froze" and stood very very still - like he knew he needed to be quiet.

Also on Monday, Diesel met our dog walker and practiced his heeling with a few different types of leashes (he walks fine on a flat leash, but we also tried out a Gentle Leader).  D gets very excited for walks and will pick up his leash and run to the door when he thinks we are going for a walk.  He also spent some time hanging out in his crate.  Since he has not been crated in his previous homes - we are doing "chill" time in the crate and working up to having him crated during work days.  
Diesel is responding very well to gentle, verbal corrections ("no", "leave it", "down") and is very attentive to me and my voice and is trying hard to please.  He does know basic commands and uses good manners when waiting for food and treats.  We are going to work on teaching him some restraint when going in and out of doors and when greeting people.

He is really a lover and wants to be right under your feet and to be touched at all times - so we are also working on "nothing for free."  He needs to learn that he does not get to decide when to receive affection.  OR he would be in your lap or giving you kisses ALL the time.

Diesel is sleeping on a dog bed on the floor in the master bedroom.  The first night he explored a bit, but then settled right down.  Last night - he went right to his bed and curled up and stayed there until I got out of bed this morning.  We have introduced stuffy toys to the pack - and while he isn't overly interested in the toys - he does like to grab one and run to the door with it when he gets excited.  He also likes to put them on the dog bed and lay with them.

Diesel is such a wonderful young dog.  He will turn 4 next week and we would love for him to find a new home for his birthday!!