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GoldenGram - January 2021
Greetings Golden Lover!

Happy New Year to you and yours! With the turning of the calendar to welcome 2021, we’re hopeful that this year will bring opportunities to see many of you and your wonderful Goldens in person! We’re eager to host some in-person regional meetups when the shelter-in-place orders are lifted, hopefully by late summer.

In the meantime, we suspect some of you have added a new family member in the last couple of months. If so, congratulations, and we have some tips for you about successfully adding a new puppy or dog to your home, as well as a training tip. And of course, we have an adoption success story. Read on, friends! 
Update on Adoption Applications 

As you may know, NGRR made the decision to close adoption applications in May last year. This was because we had hundreds of applications already and wanted to make our way through those before accepting applications from new families. We know so many families are eager to adopt a Golden, especially during the pandemic. However, with the new, more contagious strains of the virus, it’s still not safe for our volunteers to conduct home visits for adoptions. We’re planning to revisit this issue in March and have an update for interested adopters by April 1. In the meantime, we will be actively working to identify Goldens in Northern California that need to be re-homed so that we can quickly place them with already-approved adopting families.

If you’re thinking of getting a puppy since there are so few dogs to rescue, please see the article in our October GoldenGram about things you should consider.
We continue to accept Goldens and Golden mixes as surrenders. If your beloved Golden is considered a bonded pair with a non-Golden, we will welcome the pair as well.

If you know of any families having to make the difficult decision to rehome their Golden, please tell them about NGRR and let them know of our continued commitment to placing surrendered Goldens in loving homes.
Two Goldens Are Better than One (aka Someone Needs A Sister!) 
--Thanks to Whitney Sweet for sharing this story

In 2014, we lost our beloved Golden, Aggie, at age 12. It was so heart-wrenching, we thought we wouldn't get another dog for a long time. That only lasted about two months! I discovered NGRR and submitted an application. Within weeks, I received a call that a family had surrendered their 6 year-old English Cream Golden named Molly. We drove out to meet Molly, and she was beautiful and sweet and playful. She was a shy girl but loved the ball. We immediately fell in love and took her home. But, once we got home, we realized she had not been cared for well. She was deathly afraid of men, would not cross in front of a doorway to come inside if anyone was near her, and she would not go upstairs in our house. Months went by, and Molly seemed to become depressed. We tried playing with her, walking her, petting and snuggling with her. She was just lonely and sad.

One day, I got a call from NGRR. There was another dog who had been surrendered and was younger (age four). Her family was getting divorced and moving into two apartments and their dog, Cherry, had a LOT of energy and needed tons of exercise. The family knew an apartment was not the right place for her, so decided to surrender her. The volunteer from NGRR knew that Molly was lonely and thought maybe Cherry would bring her around. The volunteer showed up at our house with Cherry, and from the minute she walked into the house, and then to our large backyard, Molly perked up! She began following Cherry all through the yard, she ran alongside her wagging her tail, and the two of them chased squirrels in our yard for over an hour. That was all it took. We adopted Cherry too and she has been with us ever since.

It's now six years later, and the two of them are best friends. They play in our yard, swim in our pool, walk together, eat together, and sleep side by side on their beds. Cherry is the leader for sure, but Molly is always happy. I truly believe that Cherry added years to Molly's life because she keeps her active, engaged, and happy. Cherry is hyper, smart, and one of the funniest dogs we have ever had. Molly is sweet, cuddly, and loving. They are a perfect match! Molly will be 12 soon, and she is slowing down for sure. But we love them to death, and especially during COVID, they have become the highlight of our world. Thank you NGRR for bringing these two angels into our lives!
Safety First: Keep an Eye Out for Winter Hazards

In the winter months, there are many hazards dog owners need to be aware of - here are some common ones:
  • Antifreeze poisoning: The worst of the winter-time chemical spills is antifreeze, which can leak from a car’s radiator. It is sweet tasting and palatable and even a relatively small quantity can cause potentially fatal kidney damage.
  • Houseplants: The poinsettia plant is poisonous if eaten in large quantities so keep them out of your dog’s reach. Holly and mistletoe plants, and their berries, are toxic to dogs. Daffodils and lilies are also toxic to both dogs and cats, especially the bulbs.
  • Ice, snow and grit: It’s important to regularly check dog paws since ice and snow can get in the space between their toes and there is also the risk of frostbite. Salt and other chemicals used on roads and pavement can also irritate your dog’s pads, so wipe their paws with a cloth and warm water when you get home from an outing.
  • Freezing temperatures: Dogs are just as sensitive to cold weather as people, and hypothermia is a risk if they’re exposed to extreme temperatures.
  • Lack of exercise: With fewer daylight hours and colder, wetter weather, your dog may not get as much exercise as during the summer. Obesity is a growing problem in dogs and can lead to other illnesses, so monitor weight and food intake, and reduce food portions if needed to stop weight gain over the winter.
  • Road traffic accidents: If you are walking in low light or darkness, consider a fluorescent jacket and collar for your pup, or attach a flashing light to his collar to make him easier to see. Always ensure your dog is wearing an ID tag and that he is microchipped too.

By Julie Bond, animal behaviorist and Founder of Pet Education and Training Services. Julie specializes in the treatment of pet behavior issues and has a master's degree in animal behavior from UC Davis.

Big or small, obtained through rescues, shelters or breeders, puppies are out there, enjoying all the extra attention that people working and attending school from home can provide. While all of that extra attention is great, puppies (and even older dogs) thrive on rules and structure. Here is a list of 10 things you should be doing for your new family members right now (read more details on Julie’s blog):

  • Crate Training: Even if you are home all the time, crate training is a skill your puppy needs to learn. They can nap in their crate, sleep in there at night, even go there for time outs when needed (it won't make them hate their crate!).
  • Naps: All puppies need to have 3-4 scheduled naps each day. Those naps should be in their crate to ensure good sleep.
  • Potty Training: Puppies should be taken to a designated bathroom area every 30-45 minutes when they are awake and encouraged to go to the bathroom.
  • Never leave your puppy unattended: Your puppy should be on leash with you or where you can see them at all times.
  • Rotate your puppy's toys: Daily toy rotation ensures that your puppy is always interested in the toys you offer them as they seem new and exciting.
  • Control mouthing: All puppies mouth their owners. You want them to put their mouths on you so that they can learn how much pressure is too much. If you feel the pressure of puppy teeth, squawk loudly and move away from your puppy.
  • Daily Training: Incorporate basic training into your everyday activities.
  • Walks are important: Even if your puppy isn't fully vaccinated, you still need to take them for short walks inside your house or in your yard to leash train them. When you start walking them in public, keep your walks short and fun; let them sniff, explore and watch the world around them.
  • Zoomies are about excitement, which can be good or bad. Remember, if you laugh and encourage the zoomies, your pups will offer them to keep you entertained – that's reinforcement!
  • Handling exercises are important too: Handle your puppies every single day – look in their mouths, in their ears, between their toes. Begin grooming your puppies early using a gentle brush or a grooming mitt.
This list isn't comprehensive – it's just a few things that will help you have a happy and healthy pandemic puppy. 

Note: Although in-person training classes are not currently available, many trainers are offering distance learning classes. It's never too late to start the process for both puppies and adult dogs. 
Bark! Bark! (Squirrel!)

Just as you can teach a dog to bark on command, you can also teach them to be quiet. Sometimes, owners appreciate a bark to let them know when someone is at the door or there is another animal nearby. When your dog barks, find out why. Go outside or to the window and see what is triggering them to bark. Acknowledge whatever it is, say "thank you" and then "quiet". If they don't stop barking once you've acknowledged them, move your dog to a different area of the house to get away from the distraction and have them be quiet for a few minutes. Praise them for following you and settling quietly. As with changing any behavior, remember to be consistent and patient - your persistence will pay off!
Check Out the NGRR Website!

Have you visited the NGRR website? Did you know that it is full of information? There are details on our organization and ways you can help, helpful tips on caring for your dog, and of course, our ever-popular NGRR store where you can find magnets, water bottles, bandanas, bumper stickers, and more - all supporting our mission to find loving homes for our doggies. Check it out now! 
Connect with NGRR on Social Media
There's apparently a lot to catch up on! We’d love to connect with you on social media! Check us out on Facebook and Instagram (links below).
Clifford wants to hear
from you!
Talk to Us - Send Clifford A Note!

While he’s healing from recent surgery to remove a large growth on his abdomen, Clifford (the big red dog) has lots of time to read any emails you might want to send his way. He’d love to hear any suggestions you might have for future GoldenGram issues. Please do send us pictures and stories of NGRR dogs you've adopted! We look forward to hearing from you.
 
Look for our next GoldenGram tthe third week of March. In the meantime, we’re sending our best wishes for continued health!

Your friends at NGRR
Phone: (650) 665-0964
Address: 405 El Camino Real, Suite 420
Menlo Park, CA 94025-5240