Hi! I’m Buddy. I’m a little over a year old. I’m a very sweet, loving, and playful boy. My foster mom and dad tell me I’m very handsome, smart and a fast learner. My foster mom brushes me regularly so I can maintain my shiny coat; I love the attention.

I am figuring out that I’m like most goldens in that I like food, but I’m not a counter surfer. I am still a bit selective about what I like to eat. In general, meat is yummy, but most vegetables taste like boogers—yuck! My foster mom says I am very picky when it comes to treats. I accept treats cautiously. I have some trust issues; more on that later.

I LOVE being outdoors and playing ball. If left alone outdoors in the yard, you might see me doing my termite imitation by chewing up sticks into little pieces. I’m also quite a landscape architect and enjoy digging holes for you. My foster parents are amazed at how I can entertain myself in the yard by tossing a ball in the air, kicking it and playing catch all by myself. Sometimes my foster mom gives me ice cubes in my water bowl because I can be so funny with them. I was only introduced to toys when my foster parents first took me in, but I have some now and really like the plush variety. I like carrying them around the house, pulling out the squeakers and the stuffing. I may exhibit a lot of energy at times, but I also enjoy being inside with the hoomans to chill out and take naps. I may try to climb up on your lap, jump up on the couch or the bed. I do understand the word “off” and will obey that command. I also didn’t have a bed until my foster parents took me in. At first, I wasn’t too sure about them, but I really like them now. And I also understand the “on your bed” command and will lay down on my soft, beaded dog beds.

I’m a bit of a Velcro dog and like always being near my hoomans. I have separation anxiety. Being left alone for long periods of time makes me very anxious. Unfortunately, my foster parents are hesitant to take me on car rides as I am fearful of getting in the car and have gotten car sick. My foster parents are not sure if it is the motion in the cargo area of their SUVs or the motion of the car in general. I did not get sick when I was transported in the back seat from my prior home to my foster home.

Unfortunately, in my prior life, I was overcrated (for 14 hours a day) so I am working to learn to trust hoomans again. My foster parents have been so nice to me, and we have worked with my veterinarian to reduce my anxiety. I have made wonderful progress in a very short time. I can be rather vocal at times and whine assertively if I’m hungry, need to go potty, or just want attention. I am not comfortable when hoomans stand over me even if they want to give me some love and attention. My foster hoomans and the veterinarian suspect that I was traumatized in the past, as I am easily frightened and will urinate due to fear or anxiety. I don’t mean to do it, but I can’t completely control it yet. I never show aggression or fear bite. If you approach me and I begin to cower, it’s just a sign that I’m scared. Please know that I am getting better but need an understanding family as I still have more progress to make.

When encountering another dog, I have the tendency to mirror their actions. If they wag their tail, I’ll wag my tail. If they growl or bark, I’ll growl or bark. Sometimes I bark at certain people, and my foster parents don’t know why, but they think it’s because I spent so much of my puppy life isolated from others, and my socialization development was stunted.

I have had limited exposure to children, but my foster parents think I have been gentle when approached. My family will need to be cautious until I gain more exposure to children and know my behavior. I sometimes just ignore children because let’s face it, when I go for a walk, there are things to smell, deer to see, other people to meet, and I need to do my business.

I really like going for walks, but putting on my harness and attaching the leash still makes me uncomfortable. Once the harness is on me, I am ready to walk. My foster mom says our biggest accomplishment has been developing my leash walking skills.

Please watch my video above. My foster mom is very proud that we get compliments about how well I walk on the leash. When we go for walks, we receive compliments about how obedient I am on the leash and other dog owners tell their dogs, “see, he listens”. My foster mom and I chuckle and I think if you knew me a month ago, you would not have said that!

As a Golden, I really want to please people and want to show my love. I can be very enthusiastic when I want attention, but don’t always know the right way to show it. Just remember that I behave this way because I was starved for attention in my prior life. I seek a patient family who has the time to help me learn what acceptable behavior is, continue my training, and build up my confidence.