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My new Golden has issues.

9.6K views 96 replies 10 participants last post by  Firenneah  
#1 · (Edited)
Hi everyone,

My GF and I choose to adopt a new mate. I don't wanna spend time telling the full story but we ended up with a Golden Retriever bought in an intensive mating farm. I don't know the proper word in english. Please consider not bashing us, we didn't bought from here direcly, but that's not the topic anyway. If you REALLY want the full story, I will tell, but it's not the topic as I just said

So, our new dog is called 13, it sounds better in french, trust me. He's a Golden Retriever, almost 9 months old, he's been vaccinated and saw the vet at his previous place so I bet he's healthy, hopefully.

Here is my problem :
We took him from his previous place, we saw him play with another Golden, he was full of energy, playfull and stuff but avoiding humans (edit, i think it might be important), we came back home by car, he was calm, and when we arrived, he didn't move so we had to carry him to our home. Once home, he walked behind the sofa and hid here for hours so we fed him right here. He drank, he ate some of his food and that's all.

We decided to move his food and water to the permanent place in the kitchen so we took him to show him where it is, he ate his meal and drank some water. He was walking a bit around, avoiding us, so we gave him some space.
Then, we thought it was a good time for a walk so we had to carry him outside since he didn't want to move (He looked scared, ears behind and tail between his legs) and once outside... well, he still didn't move. He stood still for 15min, then he sat, looked at me for a bit, not moving I saw an opportunity to brush him because he sheds alot as expected for a golden during those times.

We decided, after 1h, to carry him back home and go to sleep. I think he wandered a bit when the lights were off because we heard some noises. He peed and shat during the night, we kinda expected that and ofc we didn't blame him so I just cleaned all of this.

Now it's the morning, he's laying on the floor, looking at me, next to the sofa and when I come close, he puts his ears behind and just doesn't move. I can pat his head, it seems he doesn't mind but I don't think he's enjoying it eigher.

So yeah, short story long : I'm wondering if it's normal and if I have anything to do.

My GF told me that's normal he's traumatized and scared. And I'm more affraid that he might be sick even if he looks healthy (no fever, he doesn't cough, puke or anything.. He's not even whining or barking, he doesn't lick any part of his body or scratch)

Since there might be experts on this forum, or people that adopted a dog in a similar state, I'm looking for experiences and advices. I know, I could take him to the vet but I don't want to traumatize him more because, well, I'm not an expert but I don't think scared dogs love to be carried around everywhere like a human baby + car rides + smelling the fear pheromones at the vet + meeting another stranger.

Thx for reading :)
 
#2 ·
Was it just yesterday you got him? If so, I think your GF may be right, he is just shocked and traumatised.

Give him space, read something aloud so he gets used to your voices, try to avoid handling him and eye contact but if he looks at you, say 'good boy' in a gentle, warm voice and toss a little bit of something like roast chicken.

That will help him see that you are the source of good things, and start getting him used to checking in with you.

Regular readers will be tired of me saying this, but I keep telling people - having a dog that is engaged with you, that looks to you, is the foundation for everything else you do with him.
 
#3 ·
Hello JoanneF
First, I'm really sorry if I don't speak english properly, I'm learning and I have to improve so feel free to correct me. And thx for your quick answer.

So yeah, it was yesturday. We bought some treats (My GF parents have a dog that love those) but I think it's a miss because he doesn't like it at all lol.
Roasted chicken you say ? Mh, looks like a good advice, it's quite delicious (And if he doesn't want it I can eat it myself lol)


I'm reading you, i feel a little bit better since you didn't wrote something like "OMG HE HAS DEADLY WELL KNOWN VIRUS GO TO THE VET NOOOOW"
So yeah, talking a bit, avoid to carry him (amazing advice for my backpains lol) or handling him, alright, keep giving him space (Will be hard to give him THAT MUCH space since he's now quite in my way to go to the kitchen :D)

If you want a picture of this good doggo or anything feel free to ask btw ! :)
 
#4 ·
but I think it's a miss because he doesn't like it at all lol.
A really stressed dog won't eat treats. It's part of the 'fight or flight' response, keeping the belly empty in case they need to react to danger.

Pictures are always welcome, but let him settle for a few days. Do like you have been doing with toilet accidents, don't get cross because then he might just try to sneak off and toilet when you are not there.

Sitting on the floor reading to him is a good tip too.

And I love his name in French! It's Treize, for anyone who doesn't speak French.
 
#5 ·
Yeah I won't get angry on this, I mean it's science, He has to do his things somewhere, poor boy, I wish he could understand I'm not mean.

Anyway, yeah, 13 will bring him luck, hopefully :)
I've read a little bit the forum, I saw the "rules" of the 3. Can't wait to discover his personnality (Might regret that in a few weeks lol)
 
#6 ·
Chicken is magic. I used this, smells like a good deal for me since it's WAY CHEAPER than dog treats. The hardest part will be to not feed him with that to keep it as a treat.
Image


Small pieces of it. I'm throwing it in front of him. I managed to put some on a blanket so he went on it, ate the pieces and now he's laying on the blanket at least now he's not breaking his bones on the stone floor anymore.
I'm wondering...

In one year we are moving to Canada, permanently, so he will have to travel by plane with us. Wouldn't it be smart to buy his transport crate now and make it comfy with blankets and stuff ?
I don't know, it looks like a place he could hid in if he wants to. Good idea ?

It was amazing to see my dog sniffing and looking for more chicken, he acted like a dog. Might sound stupid but we're so sad to see him being depressive that the smallest amount of energy or happiness is taken as a miracle.
 
#7 ·
We have an excellent guide to crate training here -

 
#8 ·
Can totally relate to this: always 'celebrate' the 'baby steps'!!
'It was amazing to see my dog sniffing and looking for more chicken, he acted like a dog. Might sound stupid but we're so sad to see him being depressive that the smallest amount of energy or happiness is taken as a miracle.'

Yes, do get a crate, if for no other reason that to give him a 'safe' place to rest or retreat from the world when he finds it overwhelming.
Mostly, he likely needs your patience, compassion and empathy, and time to realize that life is going to be good! Let him choose whether/when to interact with you, and reward handsomely - treats, very brief pets/scratches (on the neck, under the chin can feel less intimidating for a nervous/fearful dog) if he is okay with it.
May I suggest the book: Love Has No Age Limit – Patricia McConnell
It can provide some insight into, and guidance in ways to help your pup settle in.

Keep his world small for now, the house and yard is a good place to start, once he is feeling safer, more comfortable there, then slowly progress to expanding his world as he is able to cope with it.

If you are not familiar with it, taking the time learn about dog body language, how dogs 'speak' to us and their own kind, 'say' how they feel in any situation, can go a long ways to helping him through this difficult time and for life.
Guide to Stress Signals in Dogs - Whole Dog Journal (whole-dog-journal.com)
 
#9 ·
In the US, an intensive puppy farm is a Puppy Mill -- places where many puppies are produced for profit often without the proper care and socialization necessary to bring up a puppy properly. You seem to have gotten some good advice above. He's going to need a bit of time and space to come around, so give him both. Let him understand that he's safe now, with you. He's been taken away from all he knows, and that's scary, but he'll come around. In the meantime, educate yourself. At 9 months old, he's got a lot of 'unlearning' to do, but he can absolutely be worked with.

In the meantime, educate yourself. Is their a trainer that you'd planned on working with? An online training company that you could use? Heck, even YouTube videos or articles in your language about dog training and behavior might help you to understand better about integrating a dog with his background into your home. I'd say reach out to your breeder for support (and, if that's possible, you should do that), but it doesn't really sound like it's the kind of place that puts customer service at the top of their list since they obviously don't put dogs socialization there.

Good luck. He could turn out to be one amazing dog and the best one that you have ever owned!
 
#10 ·
In the US, an intensive puppy farm is a Puppy Mill -- places where many puppies are produced for profit often without the proper care and socialization necessary to bring up a puppy properly.
That's exactly where he's from ! Puppy mill !

I bought him a crate. Let's go :)

Thx for your amazing advices everyone, I felt so alone and desperate. I'm still desperate but I'm not alone anymore now :)
 
#11 ·
After he settles down a bit, I suggest getting him a vet visit... Considering where he came from, de-worming and a full exam should be paramount. The vet should check her hips, eyes etc closely, due to the Golden's reputation for health issues.

BTW: as a Golden Retriever owner...a word or warning....Mine was a terror at 9 months old and her energy levels were off the charts. She is now 3.5 yrs old and has finally begun to settle down, and she has become a wonderful dog!

Would love to see some pictures of your new puppy!
 
#12 ·
Hi there ! Some news.

First, thx to you too Buzzu2. I was expecting the energy, I can't wait to play fetch and run with 13.


Okay, things happened during those days. First, well, he's not destructive when left alone. We don't sleep in the same room as the dog, during the night he just eat, drink and pee/poop (always at the same spot, easy to clean, yay). We had to go to Paris today, same, he just ate and peed.
This smart boy is smarter than me, I was like "I'm gonna outbrain you and put a towel where you always pee so it will be easier to clean". You bet, he has moved the towel BEFORE. Dog 1, me 0. Meh.

This morning, he kinda looked at me less scared than usual and he also waved his tail with a mix of bark/growl, I was quite happy, I don't think he was agressive because he didn't bite or anything when I came to pat. He looks at me when I talk to him, well, he always look at me anyway.

Sad news, he had some diarrhea with drops of blood in it. I called the vet because it could be serious (I know it could also be stress + new food) and she will see my 13 tomorrow morning. We will have to carry him there since he still doesn't want to move, at all. We're not gonna use the crate, I don't want to traumatize the dog with a vet visit.

Speaking about the crate, I started to treat the interior. He sometimes go inside to get the treats when I'm not around (during nights or when I go out). It's something I guess. But yeah near the sofa is his real home for now.

That's it for today, now we gotta clean the place so wish me luck. Have a nice day !!
 
#14 ·
What a wonderful update! Good things are looking a bit brighter for you all!
Speaking about the crate, I started to treat the interior. He sometimes go inside to get the treats when I'm not around (during nights or when I go out). It's something I guess. But yeah near the sofa is his real home for now.
Yes, it is 'something'! For some dogs the crate can feel/seem like a 'trap', so just keep tossing the treats inside, and let him get them when he is ready. You could also try placing his food bowl near the crate, and slowly, over time, inch it closer to the crate, and eventually place the bowl (just) inside the crate.

When searching out training videos, look for ones that are using only reward based training methods, such as Kikopup, or Zak George.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Dog news !!

Today 13 seems to be a lil' bit more tolerant. I had to put him on the sofa to clean the house 100%, I think he never been on something as comfy as this because when we put him down after the task, he seemed to be a lil' bit agitated and went back on. First time I see him being actor of his will.

We chose to (gently) put him down the sofa (we eat in the sofa during the evening) and after the meal, he went back on it.
Tonight he alterned between sofa and floor.

He ate his meal yesturday morning. Today I won't feed him before the vet, I don't know, he might need to be empty for exams so the meal is going to be a lil' bit late today.

He came to me to get a chicken treat when I showed him, not much, he's in his comfort zone, but he moved like 1m to me to get the treat. I'm happy about it.
He also went to his crate to eat his treats (half body) with me at 2-3m

We saw him looking at me not so far from the chamber's door, he came here it's amazing but sadly since we don't want him to go into the chamber we ignored him (that's where we hid all the high value chewable electronics and stuff :D).
He is waving his tail a little bit more when I talk to him and dares to pass by me to explore the place a LIIIIIITTLE BIT but when I look at him he goes back home. I don't think he knows wich place is forbidden or not, yet. Maybe ?

The growls is rly him trying to communicate but I don't want to encourage this so my GF told me to ignore him when he growls instead of coming because I don't want him to bark loud (My neighbors are assholes and if they hear barks during the night, they might call the cops immediatly) The dog might not bite the neighborhood but I'm not so sure about me lol :D

I also had a belly up while patting him, but I didn't know if he wanted to show me his painfull belly so I just very gently rubbed




But...
He still got some drops of blood in his poop. It's a weird way to poop btw, there is always 1 completely normal poop, 1 or 2 diarrhea with some blood (sometimes ?) and 6 or 7 droplets of blood near the zone.
2h30 until the vet. Poor thing is going to be sooo traumatized..
 
#16 ·
Sounds like things are getting a bit better, as they should, over time.

Hope all goes well at the vet, and whatever is going on with him is nothing serious!
He has been through a lot, and stress/anxiety can throw their systems off quite a bit.
 
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#17 ·
Vet spoke : Nothing to worry about. We got medecines that treats diarrhea and stuff like that. I was laughin' so much to give my dog medecines from my company (I'm working for Zoetis ^^)
We also had to give him a pill for worms, just in case. He ate it with chicken, sneaky me, I won !!

Vet thinks he's a bit skinny and confirms he doesn't have much muscles, more food for my good boy then and more walks in the yard.
To reward him we decided to bring him to my grand parent's yard. He played with us, well, he ran after me. For a brief moment I forgot that my dog is sick and traumatized.

Vet also told me that the food was very good but a little bit fat (Could also bring diarrhea for the beginin'), i'm giving him this :
Image

That's the best I can afford.

If the diarrhea doesn't stop at monday, then we're going back there to test him for everything.
Our new vet is very kind. I think I can trust her.
 
#18 ·
Good to hear things seem to be okay - thanks for updating!!

Just a suggestion as this what I do for my dogs when they are having digestive issues.

You could perhaps consider trying adding some (about half a cup) cooked white rice, or a couple tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin to his meals may help to firm things up a bit. Adding a bit of probiotic, such as plain yogurt or kefir may help to get his system back on track.
 
#19 ·
Sometimes with food, best isn't always more expensive. And that food is made by a huge company that has a huge advertising budget - in other words, a proportion of what you pay is for their adverts, not for the ingredients in the food.

I looked at the ingredients -

dehydrated poultry protein, rice, maize, vegetable protein isolate*, wheat, animal fats, vegetable fibres, hydrolysed animal proteins, beet pulp, fish oil, minerals, soya oil, fructo-oligo-saccharides (0.34%), psyllium husks and seeds, hydrolysed yeast (source of manno-oligo-saccharides), hydrolysed crustaceans (source of glucosamine), borage oil (0.1%), yeasts extracts (source of betaglucans), marigold extract (source of lutein), hydrolysed cartilage (source of chondroitin).

Look how much rice, maize and wheat are in the first set of ingredients. That means that there's an awful lot of grain filler ingredients, very cheap for the manufacturer.

I like ingredients to be more clearly defined - for example chicken/turkey/duck rather than 'dehydrated poultry protein'. We don't know what that is, or even how much of it there is. My dog eats this for example -

Fresh lamb meat (70 %), broken rice (15 %), dehydrated lamb protein, dried fish, dried brewers’ yeast, dried apple pulp, salmon oil, yucca extract, cold-pressed flaxseed oil, cold-pressed olive oil, green-lipped mussel extract, dried carrots, dried tomatoes, dried african marigold, dried dandelion, dried broccoli, dried green tea, dried chamomile, dried oregano, dried milk thistle seed, dried cranberry seed, dried seaweed, potassium chloride.

Can you see the difference?

I'm not suggesting you feed my food, it is more expensive. But if you have a look at the independent review website www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk, you can set filters for your dog's age, weight etc and the site will list foods including daily cost as well as their assessment of the quality. It's a UK site but a lot of the food we use in the UK originates in Germany so I imagine it will be easy to source for you too. I'm fairly confident you will be able to find something better than Royal Canin for a similar price.
 
#20 ·
"We also had to give him a pill for worms, just in case. He ate it with chicken, sneaky me, I won !!"

Hopefully you were given more than one pill as de-worming is usually a multi treatment for most parasites.
The first pill kills most of the adults and larvae, but additional treatments will kill off future larvae as they hatch from any left over eggs.
Please be aware that there are many types or parasites including Giardia, not to mention a multitude of different worms.

I received my Golden as a gift from friends across the country (USA). I took a stool sample to my vet, and she still had hookworms and Giardia, even though my friends had her treated for both. My vet used a stronger medicine and finally both disappeared.

Image


Image
 
#22 ·
"We also had to give him a pill for worms, just in case. He ate it with chicken, sneaky me, I won !!"

Hopefully you were given more than one pill as de-worming is usually a multi treatment for most parasites.
The first pill kills most of the adults and larvae, but additional treatments will kill off future larvae as they hatch from any left over eggs.
Please be aware that there are many types or parasites including Giardia, not to mention a multitude of different worms.

I received my Golden as a gift from friends across the country (USA). I took a stool sample to my vet, and she still had hookworms and Giardia, even though my friends had her treated for both. My vet used a stronger medicine and finally both disappeared.

View attachment 255840

View attachment 255839

Daaaamn, your golden just looks like an ad. You got a nice doggo !! I've been told that american goldens are darker than canadians and european ones. Your dog almost wears a USA flag on his cute face !

About deworming, tbh I didn't ask for more details, she gave me the pill (damn that was a big one) and told me that if I got to sample the poops, to do it everyday for 3 days so we can detect every possible parasite since some worms don't release seeds everyday or something like that.
 
#21 ·
Honestly I used to feed Royal Canin suggested by the vet and when I switched to a food at the pet store that I felt was healthier for my dog, it was actually cheaper. RC is very expensive for what it is! Vets are not trained well in dog nutrition. They carry RC because they are sponsored.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Well yeah Royal Canin is omg expensive. Here we call it "Royal Catin" (Catin means prostitute in french, it's funny, at least to me lol). I bought 12kg of this, i'm happy that my dog eats it, will consider switching to something from JoanneF's website.

About the worm medicine, the vet looked at the passport and assumed the previous vet was honest about the worm medicines he wrote in it so we just got a "1 more pill to continue the normal worm shield". Vaccines are also OK, except rage, not mandatory in Europe but we will be forced to before moving to canada anyway

I will be honest, I work alot and I'd prefer to not have to cook for my 13 BUT if I have to, I will.

Thx everyone for the advices ! ... Oh and btw about the crate training :
Image

He didn't stay inside for long buuuuut it's something !
My mother is handcrafting him the best pillow ever made to put in his crate. Can't wait to see him sleep inside.
 
#23 · (Edited)
We call Goldens like mine Field Goldens. She is more red then golden in color and her parents are used as both hunting dogs and house pets.
I have raised many dogs during the past 30+ yrs and the Golden was the toughest of all. She is very mouthy and finally learned how to play without tearing my hands to shreds in the process. :rolleyes:

Yes, the parasite eggs can be left untouched and is why more then one treatment is advised. Also tape worms are even harder to kill, and Giardia is absolutely horrible. Look for dead worm in the poop. If you see something with a segmented body and triangular head...it is most likely a tape worm,

It sounds as though yours is getting good care
 
#26 ·
Yeah it's called Rabies, sorry.
Well, vet told me he's not OK with Rabies and we have to do this, I quote "Before going to Canada but after the diarhea problem". Didn't look in a hurry. Anyway, i'm not planning to let him meet unvaccinated dogs or public places for now. (I know, vaccinated dogs can carry the disease without being sick but everything will be done, I just need some time. I make mistakes but i'm trying to improve ! And I will.)

I quote the law for your information DogRun (Only valid in Belgium, my country) : Rabies vaccine is not mandatory in Belgium since 2016 BUT if you want to travel OR if you want to bring your dog in belgium from outsite the EU, it has to be vaccinated against Rabies.
Source in french (you can google translate) :
.

So yeah it's not mandatory, maybe the Rabies is considered extinct in my country ? I don't know tbh, It's kinda intresting indeed cuz I often see dead foxes on the highway and I know they can carry rabies.
 
#29 ·
Thanks for your detailed reply, I learned something new today!

You can poke me when you get closer to travel time, if you want - I occasionally fly with my dogs between the USA and EU (not exactly the same as Canada, but quite a few similarities).
 
#30 ·
Thanks for your detailed reply, I learned something new today!

You can poke me when you get closer to travel time, if you want - I occasionally fly with my dogs between the USA and EU (not exactly the same as Canada, but quite a few similarities).
Don't worry I will create a topic about it with detailed informations about our travel. Will be the first time I leave my country permanently, I'll be glad to have my doggo friend with me !


It's great that you are so committed to learning, and your pup will profit from your hard work.
I'm trying, thanks. I feel like I make so much mistakes but I think it's impossible to be perfect.
 
#33 ·
Not sure what you know about Goldens, but they are double coated heavy shedding dogs. I highly recommend getting something like these. My Golden can out shed my Mini Aussie, and that's, saying something.She is quite prone to mats behind her ears, and on her belly.




 
#34 ·
Dog news !!

Dog good news !
1) He pooped normal IN THE GARDEN, so I almost immediatly gave him all the chicken I had in my pocket and then we had a running party of 5min. It was yellowish a LIIIIIIITTLE bit limp. No blood tho. I dunno about dogs but human poop can be yellow if you take strong antibiotics and since the dog is treated right now, I'm not panicking, I looked for worms since he ate his worm killer, didn't see anything.
... Yet.
2) He also peed in the garden, same party with hot dogs because I ran out of chicken. I also bought some special towels for my interior.

3) Trust me or not he managed to bring me back my ball once.

4) He follows me on the streets during walks but he's affraid of doors for some reasons so it's very hard to put him outside without having to carry him but once outside, he's quite calm and a very good toggo.

Buzzu2, thx for your advices, yeah I noticed that he sheds ALOT. Everything is golden retriever now in my place : My socks are golden retriever, my t shirts, my food, my computer's filter. I already bought a similar model :

Works quite well indeed


I got a question : I don't know if he has hip displasia, vet told me we can check him later, i've been adviced to not make him jump or do something too intense. Is jumping from the sofa and the car dangerous ?

Looks like I panicked when I wrote the title of this post. I should rename it "My new Golden has FEW issues".
Thx to your advices everyone, i'm reading everything.

Can't wait to see him less scared so I can take proper pictures of him, my grandma was the photographer for this shot.
Image

See Buzzu2 ? He's lighter ! (But not as white as canadian ones !)
 
#37 ·
Dog news !!

Dog good news !
1) He pooped normal IN THE GARDEN, so I almost immediatly gave him all the chicken I had in my pocket and then we had a running party of 5min. It was yellowish a LIIIIIIITTLE bit limp. No blood tho. I dunno about dogs but human poop can be yellow if you take strong antibiotics and since the dog is treated right now, I'm not panicking, I looked for worms since he ate his worm killer, didn't see anything.
... Yet.
2) He also peed in the garden, same party with hot dogs because I ran out of chicken. I also bought some special towels for my interior.

3) Trust me or not he managed to bring me back my ball once.

4) He follows me on the streets during walks but he's affraid of doors for some reasons so it's very hard to put him outside without having to carry him but once outside, he's quite calm and a very good toggo.

Buzzu2, thx for your advices, yeah I noticed that he sheds ALOT. Everything is golden retriever now in my place : My socks are golden retriever, my t shirts, my food, my computer's filter. I already bought a similar model :

Works quite well indeed


I got a question : I don't know if he has hip displasia, vet told me we can check him later, i've been adviced to not make him jump or do something too intense. Is jumping from the sofa and the car dangerous ?

Looks like I panicked when I wrote the title of this post. I should rename it "My new Golden has FEW issues".
Thx to your advices everyone, i'm reading everything.

Can't wait to see him less scared so I can take proper pictures of him, my grandma was the photographer for this shot.
View attachment 255854
See Buzzu2 ? He's lighter ! (But not as white as canadian ones !)
It's good advice not to let him jump too much until his growth platelets have closed,
but keeping him still will not be easy., Watch when he lays down, If his hips are ok, he will lie down like a frog with his his stretched out behind him.
That will mean that he has no discomfort until (IF) you decide on testing. Since I know both parents circumstance, I chose not to test mine..
 
#35 ·
Oh and btw, I'm sorry to say that but...
He stinks, alot, litteraly.. I have to keep the windows open 24/7. Any tips ? I don't think I can bath him right now because, well, scared dog.
I also heard that bathing a Golden retriever can lead to skin diseases because he needs sebum or something like that, any informations Buzzu2 about bathing a golden ?
 
#48 · (Edited)
Just use a mild Dog shampoo and conditioner (no human products that have a different PH) I like oatmeal shampoos and there is no need to buy the pricey stuff. Just stay clear of anything with alcohol,
They also make dry shampoos for in between baths.

BTW: I only bathe mine if she gets into something really stinky that I can't brush away.

Beware of things with very heavy scents, that humans like and dogs don't//:p:

 
#41 ·
Btw, I want to give him a rope toy.
Like this :

But, my labrador owner friend told me that might be dangerous and cause him to die. What's your expert point of view about rope toys ?

Thanks :)