Age 2 years; weight 40 lbs.

AVAILABLE TBA

Over the past few weeks, Leo’s days consist of rough housing with his best friend, Romeo, running around the backyard looking for the next bird to scare off, and working diligently with his foster mom and personal trainer (what a lucky boy!). 

After noticing some mouthiness from Leo, especially after his foster mom had to grab Leo’s collar unexpectedly, GRR brought in a professional dog trainer to work with him one on one.  And Leo has made great progress behaviorally over the past few weeks.  His trainer commented that “he is still a bit mouthy, but it was much more playful this time.  I think he should continue to do well as long as his training is continued.  It would be ideal if a new adoptive home would continue working with him.”

During the training sessions, this smart young boy learned the first three steps to the program “Teaching Leave It—Steps for Success.”  According to his trainer, Leo “did well all the way up through the last step.” She suggests continuing this training until the desired behavior becomes habit.

In fact, his foster mom brags that Leo now knows “sit” and “down.” Patience is truly a virtue, and Leo is no exception to that rule. The command “wait” has been a bit of a trial for him, but isn’t that true for all teenagers?  When foster mom says, “Wait,” it’s as if Leo whines, “But mommm! I want it now!”

His foster mom recommends that his forever family be committed to working with Leo on obedience and mouthiness.  Both of these issues improved dramatically since his foster mom and trainer implemented an action plan. He also loves to play constantly with his foster brother, so having another pup to be his best bud would make Leo the happiest boy on earth!

#13-032 Leonardo, age 2 years

Weight 50 lbs.

AVAILABLE TBA

Updated: 04/25/13

Leo, the wonder dog! 

 Who knew a three-legged pup could be such a ball full of wiggly energy?  But having one less limb is of no consequence to Leo.  In fact, because of his three legs, this cuts out one bad habit his foster mom doesn’t have to worry about breaking—JUMPING! J  Since Leo was previously an outdoor dog, the leash is quite foreign to him.  Though his foster mom is working with him, he yanks on the leash like he’s a greyhound rather than a golden.

 This young pup also loves to rough house with his foster brother Romeo as both pups tend to leave with wet ears after one of their wrestling matches.

Eager to please like all goldens, Leo sits on command.  When “grooming time” rolls around, Leo first paws at the brush saying “No way, mom!” But then he gives in as if acknowledging how good those bristles feel on his fur.  To really get his tail wagging, give him a scratch behind his ears, and he’ll turn his head so you can get to every itch!

As with all young pups, Leo is no exception to the chewing stage.  He’s learned quickly about inappropriate and appropriate “toys” to chew on.  So watch out stuffed duckies and cows.  It won’t be long before your fluffy cotton innards are strewn about.  Your end is near!

 Over the past month, Leonardo has experienced a whirlwind of changes.  Beginning with entering into GRR’s care, Leonardo experienced leg amputation, neuter surgery, a new home, and new rules.  Though Leo will no longer want for love and affection or brave the harsh Texas weather, there was a trade-off when GRR made him one of their own—he had to give up a few of his doggy “freedoms.”

 One of those freedoms includes pottying wherever he wants.  Though he’s had a few accidents in the house, he’s showing improvement with housebreaking.

In addition, Leo has exhibited a bit of snarky behavior when he feels fearful.  After seeing a professional dog trainer, she assessed that his body language during these moments is “subtle and could be easily missed.  Any potential adopter would do well going slowly with him to help gauge any other situations that might make him uncomfortable and should get some education about canine body language to help identify when he is uncomfortable.” 

 To manage this behavior, Leo works with a trainer, and he also began attending obedience school. 

 After one night of obedience school, his foster mom says, “Leo wanted to be the volunteer every time. When the trainer used him as the demonstration for a massage at the beginning of class” that sealed the deal!  Massage with treats…what could be better?

 And though, at the time, Leo is not behaviorally where he’s meant to be, we all know at Gold Ribbon Rescue that Leo needs just a bit more time to become “man’s best friend.”

 Calm and gentle with children, friendly to all, Leo deserves his chance at his forever home.

#13-032 Leonardo, age 1 ½ to 2 years

Weight 50 lbs.

AVAILABLE TBA

Leo has only lived a few years on this earth, yet his personal journey can teach us all a thing or two about how we should live our own lives.

Here are just a few of Leo’s Lessons on Life:

Lesson #1: Be the first to say hello. 

As the GRR intake volunteer approached the shelter cage, a beautiful blond boy (complete with a Golden’s signature wide grin and floppy pink tongue) wiggled his booty as if to say “Hi, I’m Leo. And what’s your name?”  

Lesson #2: Don’t expect life to be fair.

From his cheerful greeting, you’d never suspect the following diagnosis came from the same patient.

Our GRR intake volunteer stated, “Leonardo was probably hit by a car a long time ago.  His X-rays show the bones in the hock joint are big and blobby with a bone projecting from the joint.  This appears to be an infection of the bones of the entire hock area.  Since it is an old injury, Leonardo has been holding that leg up for a long time.  His tendons have tightened so much that they probably wouldn’t straighten enough to make the leg usable, even with lots of physical therapy.  The doctor advises amputation.”

Lesson #3: Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

Although Leonardo is quite young, he has already seen a difficult road.  But you would never know it.  When he first met our intake volunteer, his wound was of no importance to him as he hobbled over to greet her.  Regardless of the pain from his severely injured leg, there was no stopping him as he affectionately sidled up next to her.  

Lesson #4: Think big thoughts.

On March 12^th, Leonardo underwent surgery to amputate his rear leg.  In order to help him fully recover from this major surgery, doctor’s orders stated he must rest and (try to) reduce his wiggling as much as possible. Well, Leo just wouldn’t settle for that prescription (or for the “decorative” cone around his neck J).  Foster mom states, “He tries to be more active than we’ll let him be.  He wants to run and play when we’re outside, and he loves tossing toys in the air which is challenging with the cone.”  Leonardo’s ambitions seem limitless as he succeeded in rubbing the cone off even though he was crated!  Fortunately no harm was done.

Lesson #5: Mistakes are meant for learning.

Though Leo’s had a few “mistakes” in the house, his foster mom is working with him. Raised as an outside dog from the get-go, he’s had no previous potty training and “loves to spray and mark territories inside and out.”  But because Leo possesses those same Golden qualities that make this breed so special, he longs to please his owners.  It won’t be long before Leo learns from his “mistakes” and masters this behavior.    

Lesson #6: To thine own self be true.—Hamlet, William Shakespeare

A happy, friendly pup, Leo knows who he truly is. He doesn’t pretend to like someone (or something) when he knows deep down that he doesn’t.  So a “feline free” home is best for this golden boy.  With a little bit of work, this behavior can improve. But as of right now, every time a kitty walks past him, expect a loud grumble to come from this, otherwise, playful and kind hearted boy.

Lesson #7: Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

Each day, Leo grows closer to his foster family as he longs to be near them more and more.  Though Romeo, Leo’s new foster brother, gets a bit jealous, Leo side steps his competition for affection and patiently waits for their gentle petting.  To show his GRR foster family how thankful he is for rescuing him, when they scratch his sweet spot “he shakes his phantom leg,” never noticing his limb is no longer there.

While Leo is recovering from both his amputation and his neuter surgery, we still have lots to learn about (and from) this incredible young pup.  Be sure to check back for more updates on Leo, and how he’s acclimating to his new life as a Gold Ribbon Rescue dog.