Follow-up Friday: Rudy

No, that’s not a football play…or a six-legged dog!
It’s Rudy. Being Rudy.

Rudy came to us in December at the age of 10 months. His mom had to move back in with her mom, and Rudy – who had been a loved, inside dog – had to become an outside dog. In the winter cold. It was breaking his mom’s heart. She knew he deserved better and she asked us to find it for him.

He was quickly adopted – and then returned. It seems that Rudy – still being a big puppy – needed people around to monitor his puppiness. The other thing that Rudy needed was socialization. He had apparently led a sheltered life with few, if any, dog friends. As a result, he wasn’t sure how to properly greet or play.

Rudy was adopted again – a successful placement with people that are around to make him feel comfortable and keep him out of trouble. Best of all, they decided to bring him to Kathryn’s Golden Rule Training at Homeward Bound.

The truth about training, is that it is really for the people. If they can be taught consistency of effort and approach, the dog is sure to follow. Rudy is a fast learner. It’s not the sit, or wait, or down. It’s the lessons he needs to learn from other dogs. Dogs are – paws down – the best teachers of other dogs.

So when Rudy decided to try to have his way with Tahoe – who, by the way, is no slouch –

Hutch was quietly observing from a distance.

Until he decided: enough!

Rudy is constantly trying to see where he ranks in the social hierarchy. And Hutch and Tahoe are pretty clear: you’re at the bottom, pup!



Together, they are teaching Rudy lessons in boundaries and appropriate play.

And Rudy is taking it in stride.

It’s great to see Rudy getting the time, training, and socialization that his surrendering mom wanted for him. I think she’d be proud.

Published by

Ogee

I am a nascent gardener, rescuer, and photographer, chronicling the journey of the dogs at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary near Sacramento, CA - and the Memorial Garden we have devoted to them.

4 thoughts on “Follow-up Friday: Rudy”

  1. Aw, I love it! And I definitely agree that dogs are the best teachers for other dogs! When we first adopted Ducky, Callie was still with us and she did about 95% of Ducky’s training. (I did the “easy” stuff like sit, etc.) One other thing Callie did for me was teach Shadow how to deal with Ducky on her own. I’m not sure to this day if she knew for sure she’d be leaving us or if she just wanted to help Shadow deal with Ducky just in case. Either way, she did a great job with both of them. 😍😇

  2. Love that Rudy is getting training from both human and dogs. Socialization is so important along with consistency. I have a friend that just bought a 10week golden (w/ girardia, etc.) on Craigslist ☹️ I fear for this little one and can only hope her new Mom (who is 70 and hasn’t had a dog in 20 yrs.) will really work with her and get her on a good path.

  3. You know how much I love this, and I truly believe dogs are the best teachers of dogs!! So fun to see Rudy’s post adoption fun and learning continue!!

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