Rocky 18-007

Profile

Meet Rocky, a gorgeous purebred Golden! Rocky possesses the typical, most-adored traits of a Golden Retriever: he’s active, smart, loyal, and super cuddly. Rocky has some unique characteristics that make him extra special. He will need a dedicated family who is willing to continue to work through his anxieties, fears, and tendencies to resource-guard. Rocky is excited to meet his forever family and will surely bring you a lifetime of giggles and wet kisses!

At a Glance #18-007

Golden Retriever 9 years old
Male 55 lbs

Available as of February 21, 2019
Fostered in Minneapolis, MN

Status: Adopt Me
Adoption fee: $400

No children in the home
Cannot live with other dogs
Cannot live with cats
Physical fence required (no invisible fence)
High energy
No children in the home
close
Cannot live with other dogs
close
Cannot live with cats
close
Physical fence required (no invisible fence)
close
High energy
close

Profile

Meet Rocky, a gorgeous purebred Golden! Rocky possesses the typical, most-adored traits of a Golden Retriever: he’s active, smart, loyal, and super cuddly. Rocky has some unique characteristics that make him extra special. He will need a dedicated family who is willing to continue to work through his anxieties, fears, and tendencies to resource-guard. Rocky is excited to meet his forever family and will surely bring you a lifetime of giggles and wet kisses!

Updates

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Rocky isn't quite ready to let go of winter... He continues to think he's the king of Northeast Minneapolis! 

Rocky loves to perch himself on top of his snow mound in order to monitor the neighborhood, get busy with a stick project, or wiggle his face against it after a long walk with the Gentle Leader. It's Rocky's love for the snow that makes us not even worried about a little April snowstorm! 

Snow King
Snow King
The stick project
The stick project

Bet you wish you had a fluffy, furry friend to cuddle up with and keep you warm over the next few days.

Snuggle time
Snuggle time

Monday, March 18, 2019

It's been an exciting couple of weeks for team Rocky.

Rocky has successfully worked through all of the counterconditioning steps outlined in the book Mine! by Jean Donaldson, with a lathered peanut butter jar. Rocky easily surrendered the peanut butter jar after spontaneous placements throughout the house, which is a huge feat, and we are so proud of his progress. Rocky is very food-motivated and loves ham!

In addition, Rocky breezed through the last month without any resource guarding of his treat toys or food dispensers. Counter-surfing was at a minimum. Rocky even earned the privilege of having his Kong in his kennel for short periods (3-4 hrs) without any issues.

Rocky and his Saturn
Rocky and his Saturn

Rocky has always had high regards for his yellow food scoop, but recently, he's shown significant self-control between feeding intervals. Rocky no longer jumps up to obtain the contents inside, but simply waits patiently next to the scoop with focused eyes. What a good boy!

Must. Wait. Patiently.
Must. Wait. Patiently.

Rocky is such a smarty; with continued training, repetition, and time, he will surely make one well-mannered dog!

Monday, March 4, 2019

Rocky loves bounding through the deep snow, chewing on frozen sticks, and eating snowballs. He hesitates when putting on the winter booties, but who wouldn’t? Once they’re on, it’s cruise time for this four-legged buddy!

Booties are on. Let's go!
Booties are on. Let's go!
Hippity-hopping through the snow.
Hippity-hopping through the snow.
What's better than a stick? A frozen one!
What's better than a stick? A frozen one!

Rocky will be sure to keep you active even during the winter months. He’s a tough pup and loves walks in all temps!

I'm always up for an adventure, even in this frigid Minnesota cold.
I'm always up for an adventure, even in this frigid Minnesota cold.

After all the exhausting playtime, Rocky finds himself the best seat in the house and basks in the sun as he dozes off. Who could resist this adorable golden?!

My tennis ball and I are resting up for our next adventure.
My tennis ball and I are resting up for our next adventure.
I hope there's a nice chair like this for me in my forever home.
I hope there's a nice chair like this for me in my forever home.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Rocky is house and kennel trained and thrives with a consistent routine and environment. He is kenneled during his foster parents’ workday and does fine, but would love a family that wouldn’t leave him alone for more than four hours.

A family that does not travel often is best as he does not like being away from his people or at boarding. Rocky loves local adventures and will eagerly jump into the car with you every time! 

An energetic dog such as Rocky needs a family that is dedicated to daily walking and playtime. He is currently given two walks daily, each approximately 30 minutes to an hour. On weekends, he often gets more.

If you are a jogger, hiker, or cross-country skier, Rocky will fit into your exercise plan very well. Last fall, he camped on the North Shore of Minnesota with his fosters; he loved the hiking and tolerated the tent sleeping.  

A great hiking buddy
A great hiking buddy

Rocky is very sensitive and needs the contact of his people. He is permitted on furniture in his foster home and would love a family that will allow him to sit next to them in the evening and cuddle. His ideal family will enjoy spending their free time with him and at home. He does not enjoy large gatherings or outings to dog-friendly businesses as it can make him quite anxious. 

Enjoying an evening snuggle
Enjoying an evening snuggle

Lastly, Rocky must have a family that are experienced dog owners. A very loving family surrendered him to RAGOM due to his tendencies to resource-guard and counter-surf. His fosters have been working with a professional trainer to learn how to manage his taking and eating of unsuitable objects.

Rocky is learning to trade, but it is, and will continue to be, a work in progress. His resource guarding can be managed, but may always be part of his personality.

Rocky must be adopted into a home that is clean and orderly and without children or other dogs. He should not be allowed in the kitchen or dining room during cooking or eating times. Non-food items need to be to be kept picked up as well: socks, undergarments, hand towels, etc.

When Rocky has dog toys, he needs to be allowed to play with them undisturbed. Again, his resource guarding is definitely manageable, but will require daily attention and effort.

Rocky is so loveable, his foster family knows he is worth the extra effort! 

Adopt Me: If you think Rocky would be a good fit in your home, please review our adoption process. If you have already submitted an Inquiry for Application, email [email protected] with Rocky's name, RAGOM number (18-007), the name you submitted under, and a sentence or two explaining why you feel your home would be a good match.

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