I need some help with my new girl

[stuwee]

Stuwee.... Good for you man... Takes a special kind to do what you are doing. Don't give up on that dog.... Sounds like you got it under control... Only thing I could add is that treats are not a bad thing. And... As someone said keep yourself between the dog and people.... You start talking about a treat when someone approaches it might change her mind.... Are you sure that it's a aggressive lunge and bark and not a friendly one ???

Thanks kevin, much appreciated, I have a big heart and this girl was going to the pound and a sure death sentence with her issues, I've been asked by several friends if she's really being aggressive or not. I can only say her bark before the lunge is aggressive and warning like, I'm not an expert on these breeds, I only know they usually do not behave this way, she was abused and abandoned a couple of times, and just needs some gentle guidance, that I'm more than happy to give

 

[stuwee]

I think you must be a great person. Taking on another family member like that. I have two Golden's. Bob or Robert E. Lee Nelson weighs about 110, huge for a Golden and Lady Bird Nelson. Great loving dogs and highly intelligent. They like lots of exercise and love people. Bob does not like other dogs very much though, but really only if they think they are at the top of the pecking order. He will definetly let them know they are wrong. Thing is lots of exercise is a key to calm them down and get them listening. Just my two cents worth. Sounds like you have it under control.

Hello Ken, Welcome to the forums, nice to see another Southern Plainser here, I lived in Texas a long time, long suffering Cowboys fan, lets leave the TX OU weekends out for now Hahah!

I haven't taken Katie to the vet yet, she seems to be around 70lbs, I'm more into Akita's, never had a retriever type before. She's responding well to commands, and yes they are very smart, want to please type dogs, she must be a mix with some black lab in there, I've never seen a black Golden before. She hate cats, there are some feral ones we see on walks and she gets quite upset. She's been pretty cool with other dogs, showing and interest, and a few times, even greeting them nicely. I think they've met before with the previous owner.

The big test comes later today, my Mom is bringing us up to her house for movie night/sleepover/bash with her, Mom has a 16 year old Westie, fierce little thing, I'm guarded about this. Many years ago, when I took my Akita up there, Mom said "Please don't let your dog eat mine"...they became best buds, it was sooo cute, a Westie leading my Akita by the lead. They played and played till they both pooped out, dog tired.

What I worry about later today, is the age difference, 16 verses my Katie's 5 years old.

Love the Lady Bird name , too funny dude. I secretly hated her for having all the auto junkyards covered from fencing around the highways way back when...I'm a huge car nut and hated not being able to see them on family vacations in the 1971 Olds Vistacruiser!!!!