Lexi

8yo spayed female, 70 lb Golden Retriever.  Lexi is a sweet girl but shy and is not happy around traffic or traffic noise.  She is loving but on her own terms and she needs to warm up to new people and animals.  Lexi is looking for a quiet home with no small children.  She is never aggressive with kids – but she would likely hide from them.  She needs an indoor place of her own where she can relax.  Lexi might do best with another mentor dog to show her where to find fun and happiness in the Golden world.

Answers to foster questions:

1)   What is your foster dog’s activity level (energetic, playful, likes to fetch or play tug, mild-mannered, quiet, etc.)?

Extremely mild mannered.  She will roll over for belly rubs sometimes, will roll over and do “back wiggles” and occasionally play with our other Golden

2)  Is he/she reliably housebroken?  If no, what’s the problem?

100% reliable in the house

3)  What obedience commands does the dog seem to know and follow?

Come, sit, wait.  She has learned to sit before getting fed and to get her harness/leash on and off.

4)  How is your foster dog with other dogs?

Fine.. she likes having another dog, has met many in the neighborhood and is fine will all.  She’s very shy, especially at first meeting, but after a good sniff, she’s fine.

5)  How is he/she with cats? A complete non-event

6)  How is he/she with children?

We’ve seen a few, and I do not think she would be happy with noisy youngsters.  She does not like high pitched or shrill voices. I had been leaving Animal Planet on when we left, but on one show had a person with a high pitched voice and we noticed she didn’t like it and went in the other room.

7)  How is your foster dog on a leash?

She’s not bad, but she really does not like being outside where she can hear traffic, so will pull to go back inside.

8   How does he/she ride in the car (getting in and out, while traveling)?

Hops right in/out of the car.  Rides well – if very noisy traffic goes by will get into the floor.

9)  How is he/she in a crate? Okay.

10)  What does your foster dog seem to enjoy/like most?

Her own space.  She does like to be petted, but on her time.  Spray cheese is her favorite!

11)  What negative behaviors have you observed (e.g. separation anxiety, begging, jumping)?

Terrified of traffic  noises – including sirens (police/firetrucks).  She really needs to be away from a busy road.  Another dog would be a big plus for her.  Otherwise, no negative behaviors at all.

12)  How does your foster dog react to thunderstorms, fireworks, loud noises?

She is very, very afraid of thunderstorms.  She is not destructive but needs a safe place.  She will pace and try to get into any place she deems to be “safe”.  She does not seem bothered by household noises – microwave, vacuum, accidental door slams, loud TV.  They do not seem to faze her.

13)  What else can you share about your foster dog that would be helpful in our search for his/her forever home?

She is very shy.  She does love cheese – of any kind, but especially spray cheese.  We use it as her “high value” reward.  She does not like loud noises outside – traffic noises are very scary to her; she needs to be in a quiet area of a neighborhood.  We have never heard a single peep out of her – a little bit of play sounds, but not a bark, not a whine – nothing.

14)  Please share any cute things your foster does, or any funny stories!

She will give leg kisses – put her nose on your leg and then give little kisses.  She does like to be hugged.  And will roll over for belly rubs.  She will come out of her shell for short periods, but then back to her safe place. She has the sweetest face and is so very, very soft.

15) Does your foster dog need another dog?  Do they need to be an only?

Another dog would be a big plus for her.