Ok - so it hasn't been a week since our last update. But I am SO excited about what I am seeing with this gentle giant that I wanted to share . . .
Attaching a few more pictures. Tucker is still a little camera shy - but we were able to capture a few pictures of his face. And yes - lots of snow pictures - because our big friend likes to go outside and just sit or lay in the snow and survey his domain.
Tucker seems to really be enjoying the freedom he has in our fenced yard. Based on his past history (he escaped from a previous home several times) and his breed - he would probably be very happy if he could go to a home with a fence. He has started barking back at the dogs next door - but only when they are barking at him from their side of the fence - not when they bark at him from inside. He goes to the back door when he wants to be let out. And comes back to the stoop when he has finished his business or his patrol. His recall will need some additional work - he comes when called - if you can make eye contact. But if he is behind the garage or on the side of the house - he conveniently ignores my requests to come.
He has discovered the toy basket in the past few days. Funny to watch him gently remove each toy from the basket and carry it to one of his "safe" areas. I caught this photo of him after he had created a nice pile. Tucker has a very strong mouth - and is prone to chewing and ripping. For his safety and the adoptive families sanity - I would suggest Nylabones and a few of the "tuff" toys for him. Anything soft or stuffed will be maimed very quickly. We have been in a bit of a standoff for the past few days . . . as our toys are not allowed outside. So he keeps carrying his stuffies to the door and asking to go outside. At which point I remove the toy from his mouth and open the door - and then he goes outside and stands on the stoop and looks at me - like "can I have my toy now?"
On other "inside" news - Tucker is showing very good manners. He knows his basic commands and is eager to sit or lay down for treats or to be fed. He has shown no real interest in the kitchen or in human food (when I am preparing or eating). We did have to have a conversation about shoes in the first few days . . . but that was before he realized the house was overflowing with toys and has not paid any attention to the shoes or boots since. Good news is that he also seems to know "leave it" and "give." He does not jump up and has made not attempt to get on any furniture.
Because he is so "serious" and maybe because of his size/weight - it took us a few days to realize that Tucker is a pretty typical "adolescent male" dog. While not as playful as some breeds, he is very curious and loves activity and is eager to see what will happen next. He has tried to engage my senior, resident female a few times outside - but wanders off with no fuss when she does not play with him.
Based on what I have observed, I would say that Tucker was teased or tricked and perhaps verbally abused. Like many dogs for whom expectations have not been clear, he demonstrates a certain level of anxiety. Tucker is very eager to please and loves to be touched. I think he will do well in a home with a consistent schedule and where he doesn't feel like he needs to be "in charge." But is comfortable that his humans have things under control.
Kind of random and a bit out of season - but I can report that Tucker is not a huge fan of fireworks. There was a winter festival this weekend and we were treated to a rather long period of very loud fireworks. He did not get destructive - but he did go to the door and growl and pace. I did not let him out. He paced about the house and looked out all the windows until the noise ended and then settled right down.
We are struggling with crate training. Tucker has never been crated and is not prone to recognize the argument that this is a safe and comfortable place for him. The second night I was able to coax him into the crate with some treats. But that only worked once. Given his anxieties - we are focusing on patience and trust rather than trying to physically force him (which is difficult at his size anyway). Peanut butter and Kong worked once as well . . . but not a second time. After he is in the crate - he alternates between trying to take the crate apart and these sad little kitten cries.
Tucker is now on a high quality "weight management" dry food. And seems content with his reduced portion. He is a very dainty (and slow) eater - which I did not expect. And even wanders away from his dish sometimes before he is finished (he usually comes back looking for it a few minutes later). He does not get over-excited at meal time and stands by and waits for the bowls to be filled and distributed.
He loves our long walks. And seems to want to meet everyone he sees on the street. His tail starts to wag when people are still blocks away. Took me awhile to catch on to how keenly aware of his environment this dog is. For now - we are not greeting dogs or people on our walks - just getting him comfortable with the routine and letting him enjoy a low anxiety activity that he loves.
Tucker is not a typical Golden Retriever. While his coloring looks like a Kuvasz (or maybe a Golden/Great Pyrenees (GP) mix), his body is all GP. To that end - I wanted to share some additional information about GPs from my Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds - and thought it might be helpful for potential adopters.
The Great Pyrenees is a work dog that has its origins in guarding flocks of sheep. The temperament was described like this: "The Great Pyrenees is a capable and imposing guardian, devoted to its family and somewhat wary of strangers - human or canine. When not provoked, it is calm, well-mannered, and somewhat serious. It is very gentle with its family and children. It has an independent, somewhat stubborn, nature and may try to dominate a less secure owner. Some are not good off leash and may wander away."
Tucker is a big, silly, "teenage" dog . . . it will warm your heart to see him wandering around with a huge stuffed animal in his mouth and rolling over on his back for tummy rubs when he is calmly approached. I can't wait for him to meet his new family.
