Adopting a Golden raised outside???

[Kybball44]

I am a new member here. I have the opportunity to adopt a female 14 month old Golden that has been kept outside in a pen or electrical fenced in yard. She has not been spayed and seems in really good health. I was wondering what everyone felt was the right thing to do. I have wanted a golden for many years, but I would like to be able to keep her in the house. How hard would she be to train? Anybody have any experiences? Thanks.

[allie,hannah,brinkleygold]

It is extremely do-able, however, you will have to have TONS of patience. In our experience, every Golden we have ever had has been an "outside" dog, and one wonderful thing about all goldens is that they adjust EXCELLENT :) to most new things. Good Luck, let us know how it works out!! :p

[Kybball44]

I really want to adopt her. Does anyone know if some vets give discounts for spaying adopted dogs?

[Kybball44]

Will her age be a problem as far as training and adjusting to a new environment?

[CaynCher]

I have a 14 mth old pup and he is now very strong. Have you had any interaction with her yet? Why was she turned in? Has she had any training at all? Would you be able to handle/control her until she is trained? I think seeing her behavior and activity level would be important? What problems, if any, does she have and do you have the time, patience, finances etc. to invest to correct them if need be? These are a few things to contemplate before making the commitment to bring her home. If she was an outside dog, she may just enjoy the inside life as well or maybe a combination of both. I would recommend spaying her though or you may have many more stray male dogs hanging out at your house than you desire. When the growth plates close, which should be about l4mths, her age now, is a perfect time to spay. Best of luck with your decision. keep us posted if you need help.

[Kybball44]

The person who has her is moving to an apartment and can no longer keep her. He said she was very smart and loved human interaction. He didn't think it would be a problem training her. What is the cost of spaying?

[coopersmom04]

Goldens adjust pretty quickly, so I think she'll be fine. I think it's about $80 - $90 to spay a dog. There are clinics though that do it for cheaper. I'd say call vets in your area and check their prices and they may also be able to refer you to a low cost spay/neuter clinic. Or maybe there's an ad in your Yellow Pages.

She sounds really sweet. Good luck! :woofpup

[CaynCher]

Have you personally had interaction with the dog or just what this guy is telling you? He may just trying to find another home for her so you must see for yourself if you can handle/train her.

The price for spaying varies by location (urban-rural) and choice of Vet. So you could call a few and compare their prices and maybe visit their office to see if you like the atmosphere. In our area, there are groups that offer low-cost spaying so you could check into that too. Call your Humane Society or a rescue group for help for this.

[Kybball44]

Thank you all for your answers. I have not personally interacted with this dog. I have seen pictures of her and she seems wonderful, but I could be wrong. I am going to to interact with her before I make a decision. I just hate seeing a dog kept outside in a pen, especially a Golden. I just worry mostly with the house training issue. She will have plenty of room to run and the guy is giving me his underground fence system.

[CaynCher]

Yes, go and see her before you make a final decision. I feel seeing just a picture is not enough. Then, if you feel that you can handle/train her and she will fit into your household situation it may be ok. If you have read other threads on this forum, you know people have made quick decisions and have regreted it--don't be one of them. It seems like you want this dog, but take your time & check things out first as I mentioned in my first post. A dog deserves a lifelong committment & not to be discarded as so many are now.

[Kybball44]

Here is a pic of her. I hope I did this right. :)

[meandgracie]

She's a pretty girl. I took in an 8 year old Golden mix who had been spending almost all of his time outside. I never had any housetraining issues. He just seemed to know he was supposed to go outside and not mess up his new home.

Even if you would have trouble at first - it can all be cleaned up. I'm sure she'd catch on quick.

Last year I adopted a 15 month old Golden. I too wondered how she'd adapt after losing her first owners and spending a couple of weeks at the shelter. Turns out I was worried about nothing.

Best of luck, Gracie and me

[coopersmom04]

she's pretty :) Look at that smile. :dogbark

[Kybball44]

I think I am going to try to keep her overnight this weekend If I can to see how she adjusts to being in a home and what her activity level would be like. Is this a good idea?

[CaynCher]

That would be great if he will let you keep her overnight. Then you can see if you both like each other and if you can handle her & will be able to train her & if she is what you are looking for. Also, remember that she will be in a different situation than she is used to so she will have to adjust to her new surroundings with you. Just give her lots of love & have some treats available. I saw her picture and she's a good looking girl. She looks calm on that pic. but you can't really tell just by looking at a pic. Good luck & keep us posted.

[Kybball44]

If I do get her, should I take her to the groomer and vet the first thing? I am just worried there could be something wrong with her and I wouldn't know it. He is asking 150 for the dog, the crate, and the underground fence. Is this reasonable?

[angenbear]

Yes, visit a few times and take it from there. She may be shy so she may hide her true self. Like others have said, it will take patience for her to know the difference between inside/outside. But Goldens are smart. My Bear was mostly outside pup before I got him at 7 weeks, he would go inside/outside to potty. So when I got him, he went anywhere since he didn't know the difference. Praise her when she goes out, and if she goes in, which may happen give her a mild scold, and then in a while, go outside til she goes and praise her. Get excited when you do praise her. As for the vets, I don't think they will offer a discount just because she's adopted. You can call local shelter and they do offer programs for spaying. They do have vets that offer low prices, that is something you'd have to call around and ask what their prices are. Luckily though, since she's over a year, she would have minimum shots needed. Make sure you get all the papers for her that he has on her, vet bills, rabies certificate. That way you know her history, and have a record of it.

[goodtim'n]

You can do a pretty good once over yourself. Check her teeth and gums, Teeth for her age should be pretty much tarter free, Look and SMELL in her ears, if there is an infection you will know it by the SMELL, Run your hands slowly all over her body, looking for lumps, check her legs and feet,and toenails, (wouldn't surprise me that they are long) check for any eye discharge and nose discharge. This is the one I find interesting, Run your hand down her tail and while doing this apply a small amount of pressure to your grip. DON'T PULL THE TAIL. Believe it or not an old trainer taught this to me and believes it is a goood temperment test. Just give it a try, Good dogs don't seem to mind, tempermental dogs react, by usually jumping away. Look into her eyes, does she look back at you or look the other way. DON'T STARE! Watch her movement while walking, is it true, without limps. Ask her to down, then have her get up and watch her front end and see if she has to PULL herself up, somewhat of an indication of poor rear structure, possible HD Get a toy and see if she fires up and wants to play. Vet's will not even check her out this much, but they will take her temp, check the sound of her heart. Other than x-rays and blood work that isn't done with a general check-up. And yes if she is dirty or has matting or long nails and you don't want to clean her up yourself, then off to the groomer. I have threads in the grooming forum I hope you can find of use. I do own a groom shop and training facility. Good Luck

[CaynCher]

If he is asking $150.00 for everything, that sure is a bargain. That is a really good deal. Prices in our area run from $300 - $2,500 just for a pup. Even rescues could cost more than that.

If you can do the above posted exam, it's a good idea. If she has an ear infection, you may have to see the Vet as sometimes they take a while to clear up. One of my dogs doesn't really like to have his tail groomed (doesn't growl/bite, just fussy) but his temperment is fine otherwise.

I, personally would never bring a new dog into our home without a Vet check. You need to take a stool sample to check for the presence of worms as they are not always visible. Also, there is Heartworm prevention which a dog should have and it is prescribed by a Vet. Check to see if the man you are buying the dog from has done any of this.

[Kybball44]

What would be the best way to houestrain her since she has been an outside dog? I work all day, but only live a couple miles from work, so I could come home to let her out. Would crate or confined to a certain area work best?

[CaynCher]

Hi, Housebreaking shouldn't be too much of a problem since she is 14mths. Get her on a schedule for going outside to potty. If I had her, I would take her out in the morning before going to work after she has eaten. Make sure she goes potty. When she pees, you could tell her a command like, "Good peepee" & the same when she poos, "Good poopoo". Eventually if you keep telling her this, she should go on command and you won't have to stay outside for long. If you can come home around lunchtime to let her out again for some exercise & to potty again, she should be fine until you come home. When you later come home from work, don't excite her, but take her outside first thing to potty. Then, after you feed her, take her out again & also take her out right before you go to bed at night. At her age now, she should be able to hold it longer than a young pup.

You could use either a crate or a confined area; but I would not allow her free run of the house when you can't be there to watch her. I am using a crate (midwest 48 X 28) for my 15mth old male. He is in a chewing stage now so I am supervising him when he is loose. Make sure she has dog toys like maybe a kong which you could fill with treats and leave with her before you go to work & maybe a nylabone or something like it. Mine also loves any type of a ball. If you confine her to an area, make sure no inappropriate chew items are within her reach.

[Kybball44]

Thank you very much for your response. It sounds like that will work. I'm picking her up in the morning. Wish me luck :029

[CaynCher]

I'm so excited for you. I bet that you can hardly wait to pick her up. I hope that everything works out well & it's love at first sight for both of you. Keep us posted.

[Kybball44]

Well, we went to see Molly today and she is a beautiful dog. However, she was really dirty and out of control. She wouldn't sit still the whole time we were there and she just wanted a lot of attention. I feel really sorry for her but I don't know if I can train her. She I be this worried or would she be ok? She was very attentive and just wanted a lot of attention. I'm so confused :confused:

[MyBoyGus]

If she was living outside she is probably a bit attention starved. Training is always possible, you just have to find the right trainer and the right training class. Give her a bath and start loving on her. Get sturdy chew toys for her to get her energy out on.

I foster for a rescue and many of the dogs are a bit attention starved, most of them calm down with attention, good food, and play. Be consistent and try not to get too upset when she does things wrong, she probably never learned any better, she has to learn house manners.

As far as house breaking goes, I've found that outside dogs are usually the easiest to housebreak. They are used to going potty outside, they just have to learn that they can't go inside.Lots of praise when they go outside will definitely help. I agree with the other posters that she shouldn't have full run of the house until she does learn house manners and you are sure of her housebreaking. I usually start housebreaking with a crate, I crate the dog when I am gone and when I get back they go outside right away and stay there until they go. I then give them lots of praise and a yummy treat as a reward.

Good Luck!

[CaynCher]

Hi, It sounds like he has not trained her at all & she probably needs/wants a lot of attention. I'm sure that she will calm down but if she has been living in a pen, she was probably glad to get out. The big question is--IS SHE TOO STRONG FOR YOU to handle weightwise and train? She most definitely sounds like she needs an obedience class pronto. My soon-to-be 15mth old `pup is very strong. Has she ever been on a leash? If not, you will have to train her so you can take her out to potty. `A crate is a good idea too as, if she has had no training, and you keep her loose inside the house, she could destroy your things while you are at work. If she was in a pen outside, she may adjust easily to a crate. And, of course, you or someone will have to give her a bath to get rid of fleas etc. if she has those. It will take work, patience, & time on your part to get her straightened out. Are you willing to take on the responsibility?

[missinbeau]

In the area I live in ( suburb south of Chicago) some shelters will allow you to make a donation $40.00-$60.00 to them then they give you paper work listing where you can take the dog for spaying without any other cost to you. I have also heard that during SPAY/NEUTER MONTH I think it is Feb. that alot of places will do this. Hope this info helps you.

[pixiepurls]

I think it's awful the guy is charging you for the dog, in particular if she is not spayed!!

I just think that's crappy. If she came spayed okay fine then your paying for the spay.

But if you spay her and she gets an infection it can cost you another $200 ontop of the spay cost. My dog is very healthy and licked his stiches and got a horrible infection (stupid vet didnt send us home with one of those head things even though i asked if he needed one).

I hope everything goes well with her, if she's not potty trained you need to get a crate.

[pixiepurls]

Also ask for his VETS number so you can call and confirm she has her rabies shots as well as her other shots, if she hasn't then yeah he's just trying to make some money.