Dexter

Dexter, age 1

AVAILABLE

Update 6/5/12:

Dexter just celebrated his first birthday on May 26^th—and he has all the exuberance & bounce that goes with being a great big puppy! He was just too much for his original owner: “He’s not at all aggressive, not a mean bone in his body, but he just jumps and can be very mouthy,” she wrote. “He has knocked me right over more than once. Can you help?”

Dexter arrived at his foster home just about two weeks ago, and his foster mom sends this report:

Dexter is a beautiful dark golden boy with a lot of charm, personality, and love to give. He will put his head in your lap to get petted or bump your arm to be hugged. He takes naps in his crate and sleeps through the night, but he’s up and ready to go just as soon as the sun comes up.

He’s your  typical year-old Golden male—up for any adventure, but sometimes his need to explore can get him into trouble. He is still learning to follow basic commands; how to walk on the leash without pulling you down the road or suddenly plunging off to the side to check out something interesting; and that  not every item he puts in his mouth is okay for him to chew on! It’s hard for him to resist “taste-testing” anything & everything, but he’s getting the idea that he needs to play with his own doggie toys and chew only on items that are made for him.

Dexter loves going for walks & car rides and visiting the dog park. He even enjoyed going to the vet's office and behaved very well during his appointment. He has a great time playing with other dogs of all sizes. He spends his days romping with the three other dogs (two Goldens, one Lab) who live in his foster home. He  has discovered that the two cats are none too pleased when he puts his nose right in their faces, but he gets along fine with them now that he’s learned to leave them be when they tell him clearly that they don’t want to play! 

This smart boy knows SIT, DOWN, and GO TO YOUR CRATE.  He loves water so much that he splashes around in his water bowl and is always coming in wet from the kiddie pool or sprinklers when he’s in the backyard. I don't know if he can swim, but I think that he’ll take to it pretty quick since he loves getting wet!

This active fellow needs a similarly active family, ideally a home who enjoys having a buoyant, busy dog & who has experience in training enthusiastic youngsters.