Maxwell 18-097

Profile

Max is 100% pure Golden Retriever, infinitely affectionate, with strong Golden nudges and hugs. He enjoys playing with and destuffing stuffed toys, gets along with other dogs, and is not a big counter-surfer. He has storm anxiety which is easily managed by having a TV turned on. He cannot be kenneled and would do best without young children.

At a Glance #18-097

Golden Retriever Born: June 2011
Male 94 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

Max is 100% pure Golden Retriever, infinitely affectionate, with strong Golden nudges and hugs. He enjoys playing with and destuffing stuffed toys, gets along with other dogs, and is not a big counter-surfer. He has storm anxiety which is easily managed by having a TV turned on. He cannot be kenneled and would do best without young children.

Updates

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Maxwell found his forever home! This sweetest pup has a brother that loves him and is loved along with his new dad.  

He's looking forward to many foster brothers and sisters and loves meets-and-greets. Both boys love Halloween, especially all the kids giving them Treats!

Here's hoping he has a fabulous Golden Life.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Maxwell Silver Hammer is enjoying his quiet Golden Life with his foster dad and foster brother Duke 12-257. They get along great and swap food bowls regularly.

He still is extreme in his attempt to be loved, but occasionally will relent. Thus, Foster Dad can finally write an update without having his typing arm nudged and captured for a scratch or pet.

Foster Dad had a party with 8 men over for dominoes. Max loved having 16 hands giving him attention.

Foster Dad doesn't mind sharing the bed, but Max still isn't good on sharing space. But he's getting better. We're continuing working on the "that's all" command.

Maxwell had a blast at Pet-A-Palooza where his most serious issue became apparent. He attempted (and often succeeded) in dragging his 250-pound foster dad hither and yon. For the first time ever, Foster Dad went to a harness when walking this big, friendly boy.

I don't believe he was walked on a leash in his former life and probably wandered with his surrendering owner. He does stay close by, but when he sees a tree that needs watering, a friendly hand that needs nudging, or another dog's rear end that needs a good sniff, off he goes.  

He got a chance to play and visit with my grandniece (6) and nephew (8) who both are dog-savvy. They all played nicely with his toys. Foster Dad didn't have his camera ready to get pictures. He was wonderful and Foster Dad feels comfortable with non-toddlers.

He has a habit of resting both of his front paws on you when he's cuddling. Not really on you, but pulling your hand to scratch him. It is important that his nails are kept clipped.

He also enjoys being brushed.

He is excellent help in the kitchen, plopping down in the middle of the floor, ready (and willing) to clean up any dropped items.

It's a relief he's not a counter-surfer, but he's managed to get into something that caused him to throw up yesterday. He was happy for dinner (so was Duke), as mean Foster Dad decided that if one couldn't eat, then the other couldn't, either.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Maxwell has successfully passed his vet visit. His broken tooth may need future care, but not at this time.

His leg and hip checked out fine (he was in a car accident several years ago). We have nothing to worry about. He loved everyone at the clinic.

Last Saturday, he made it to his first RAGOM meet-and-greet. He met everyone and made sure they all got lots of Golden Retriever love. He was fine with all other dogs. He's not a player, just a lover.

He does pull on the leash, especially towards kids, adults, and other dogs. He's sure they were all put on Earth to love him and for him to love, snuggle, hug, and kiss.

Foster Dad will now begin reviewing his applicants. He won't be available for long, as he wants to find his permanent George.

We are planning on bringing him to Pet A Palooza at the State Fairgrounds this Saturday.

It's been 5 minutes since my last pet.
It's been 5 minutes since my last pet.
I'm much happier now that I'm getting love.
I'm much happier now that I'm getting love.

Sunday, June 10, 2018

While Max has always been gentle with children and loves having them pet him when out walking, he has not lived with any young ones in a long time. Due to this and the fact that he is a big, strong dog, we feel it is best that he goes to a home without children or with older (10+), dog-savvy children.

He lived with a cat when he was younger, though we have not tested him with one recently. We can arrange a cat test if necessary.

He is good with other dogs, but is not a player. He seems very gentle and submissive with other dogs.

Max loves to ride in the car and prefers the backseat. He really likes tennis balls, but does not play fetch for long. He enjoys playing with and destuffing toys, but does not guard them (or food) from other dogs or humans.

In his previous home, Max was said to sleep wherever he wanted to - on his bed, in the bedroom, or on the couch. He has had issues with being on the human bed, as he would lie sideways and leave little room for his humans.

He has free roam of the house at all times. He cannot be kenneled, as he becomes very anxious and will try to get out. He has a damaged tooth from trying to get out of his kennel. He is said to have been like this since he was a puppy.

He is house trained, but does not tell you when he needs to go out. He may knock over a baby gate. We have not seen any separation anxiety with him.

He does have some thunderstorm anxiety. If it is a strong storm, he wants to be close to his human and will pant. If it is a mild storm, he seems to be fine and less stressed.

When he is alone during a strong storm, he is not destructive, but will try to escape. He knows how to open an unlocked window that slides, go out the screen, squeeze under the fence at a weak spot (he does not dig under or jump over the fence), and run.

Having a TV on seems to calm him during storms. Over the last three years, his anxiety has gotten better.

Three years ago, Max ran away during a storm and wasn't found for a couple of days. He had been hit by a car and broke his hip. The hip is healed, but the other hip is showing some wear from being the strong hip.

We will report more as we get more information. Max has a vet appointment coming up this week.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Welcome Maxwell 18-097 to Minnesota and to RAGOM! He came to us from North Dakota where his owner gave him up since they were selling their house and moving into an apartment that wouldn't allow large dogs.

He reportedly has storm anxiety, but hasn't shown it. He's such a cuddler that it's difficult to imagine him working harder at it as reported by his original owner. 

A TV playing seems to keep him calm during thunderstorms. He actually watches it in between nudges for more attention.

He tries to claim that he never got attention before he arrived at his new foster home. Foster Dad doesn't believe him or any of the hundreds of loving dogs that have tried that tactic before. Instead, he was probably spoiled with hugs and scratches.

He loves to bring and retrieve toys and balls. He's insistent with his Golden nudges, so he's probably not good for young kids as he is a strong, 94-pound dog.

Another confident dog would be good in his forever home, but not necessary. He listens to his foster brother Duke 12-257 and seems to be more calm with Duke around.

Max is Duke's 7th foster sibling, and Duke just turned 15. Max doesn't play (neither does Duke), but does enjoy following Duke and peeing in the same places. 

Foster Dad has left him alone (with Duke) for 8 hours, with free roam, and there was no damage except to stuffed animals. He wasn't overwhelming in his greeting when Foster Dad got home, at least not more overwhelming as he is at other times.

He's a friendly (beyond a fault), beautiful 6-year-old Golden Retriever. He aspires to be as photogenic as Copper Boy and gives him a run for the runway.

Handsome boy
Handsome boy

He's very sweet and, if anything, is overly friendly - 100% pure Golden Retriever. He believes he's even better-looking than Copper Boy. It can be difficult to stop petting him, but we're working on the "that's al"' command. It helps when he has a team of lovers.

He pushed himself out one of the backyard gates, and then pushed himself back in when Foster Dad called him. That gate is now tied shut a bit tighter.

He also came right back in the front door after he rushed out the door. It's a relief to not have to chase a dog all over the neighborhood. He reportedly did that in his original home, so we'll have to strengthen his recall as well as take precautions to keep him safe.

The vet couldn't see him right away, so he's going in on June 12 for his RAGOM wellness check, though he was cleared by his former vet before his surrender.

He'll also get his heartworm check and microchip at the same time. He does have a broken canine tooth that we'll have checked out.

It's a relief that he doesn't counter-surf. He gets along well with Duke with only one loud altercation when Duke thought the bone Max was carrying should be his and tried to take it from Max's mouth. No blood was shed; it was mostly loud growling that stopped with redirection from Foster Dad. He does listen (except to "that's all"). 

More pets, please!
More pets, please!

He is hoping to name someone George. He will kiss you. He will hug you. He will cuddle you. He will squeeze you. He has a lot of love to share.

I expect him to have lots of interested applicants.  Will you be his George?