I have adopted a male golden retriever approx two years old. Unfortunatly he has not been socialised as a puppy and has aggresive tendancies towards other dogs. I always thought goldies were friendly is this a common problem. I take him to dog training but as yet havn't seen any improvement can someone give me some good advise.

thanks
Sharon

Hi Sharon
As a Golden owner for many years I'm sorry you
are having problems. I have always had male
retrievers from puppies and bitches from rescue.
Sometimes I've found you have to look beyond
the obvious reasons for behavior in rescue dogs.
Whatever their breed most have had the same
unfortunate background very often not actual
ill treatment, just neglect of a dogs needs.
Your dog may not have been socialised earlier
but equally he may be frightened that you will
disappear like his previous owner.
Rescue dogs cannot tell you themselves what
has happened to them before and the truth
doesn't always come with them.
One bitch who came to us was 6 years old and
had lived indoors but she didn't appear to be
house trained at all. She would go into the garden
then rush in and poo in front of me then hang her
head down. It eventually dawned on us that she
was terrified of being shut outside if she didn't do
something straight away. Over a few weeks we
got her trust and would stay in the garden with
her for as long as neccessary until she was happy
to go out on her own and take as long as she liked.
This doesn't help you with your particular problem
I know.There are other more experienced people
on this board who can give you advice but please
don't give up as Goldens really are a pleasure to
have as a companion.
I don't know where you got your dog from but I
would suggest a good place to ask for first hand
advice is the Golden Retriever Rescue Society.
Most regions have one. Either look on this board
for a contact or in your local yellow pages under
dog training(I think). I have always found them
very willing to talk and be of help.

JAQ and her Goldens