08/07/2025
***Applications Have Closed****
For Adoption: Livie!
Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle.
We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process.
To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/.
Meet Livie! Her motto in life, is “ Scared, and doing it anyway”!!
Livie is a very sweet and sensitive 3-year-old Golden Retriever! She spent the first 3 years of her life as a breeding dog at a puppy mill. The environment of a puppy mill has left Livie sensitive to loud noises and fast movements; but her curiosity hasn’t been dampened by that.
This sweet girl is a joy to foster. She loves meeting new people and attention and will seek it out. She is timid around other dogs, but that doesn’t stop her from meeting them and approaches with caution. She is curious but needs some encouragement to explore her environment.
Livie has not touched any of the toys available to her, regardless of how hard I try to engage, toys are just not her thing right now, but she has shown interest in them, she just doesn’t understand how to play yet. Livie isn’t interested in stealing shoes or clothing, she will sometimes put something in her mouth, but a quick verbal correction and she leaves it alone.
One thing Livie does get scared about is walks! It took her a while to get used to the leash, so introducing her to walks has been slow. She also has a fear of cars; they are both loud and fast moving! We walk slowly and she adjusts to being outside, and sometimes we stop to watch cars go by. She has come a long way, as she extends the walks herself to explore more and see her neighbourhood. Livie will need her home environment to be quiet and without a lot of inner city noises, traffic etc. She would do best in a rural setting, small town, or quiet subdivision away from the main roads. She loves to be close to her foster mum and can be demanding of attention at times; so, will need clear boundaries set to help continue that confidence. Livie really enjoys her new world, so pushes through her fears, she’s a brave girl with a big heart!
Due to her experience in the puppy mill, Livie does not love her crate. She will stay in the crate and do a little bit of whining, but she does not enjoy her time there and must be led into her crate. She is not a very vocal dog; unless she is in the crate and her people are home. Livie does make the CUTEST grumbles throughout the day, as she changes positions or moves through the house but doesn’t express her dislikes vocally. Livie would need a home where someone is home more than away and won’t do well in a home where everyone works outside of the home all day. She can be crated for a few hours at a time, but will not want to be crated for a full workday every day.
Livie isn’t a big eater; she eats on her own time and prefers to eat alone at this time so leaving the food in a crate or spot for her will help ensure she will eat. Livie’s adoptive family will need to be patient and support her as she adjusts to her new home. Livie is learning basic obedience skills in her foster home and is doing ok with this but it will need continued practice in her adoptive home and attending obedience school will be important for her. She needs the confidence building that comes from attending classes. Livie is still learning to walk on leash, she sometimes doesn’t like it when you are behind her and needs some reassurance that you aren’t scary.
Livie has been on lots of car rides, and while they aren’t her favourite she is very good in the car and usually just lays down. The more car rides the more she will adjust! She does need help getting into the car; by placing her front paws in the car, she will follow the lead and get the rest of the way in.
Her house training has gone very well; she’s only had one accident and that was due to human error! It is expected that she will have some regression when she goes to a new home but will quickly catch on to the new schedule and do her business outside. Livie would do best in an adult only home or one with children 12 years of age or older, who can be sensitive to her fears and be patient as she adjusts to her new home; She would not enjoy a home where young children visit regularly as this will be scary for her. She would also do well with an older/calmer dog sibling or could be equally happy as the only do in the home. While she hasn’t been exposed to cats, due to her personality, we believe she would also do well with cats.
Livie has been spayed, and she recovered quite well; she had a surgery suit to help her heal as a cone would have been scary for Livie. She finds safe spaces in the home to hide when things get scary, she just needs to be reassured and given time to come out and see that its not so scary after all!
Livie is looking for a family who will help get her out of her shell and develop her confidence. She won’t be a suitable dog for a 1st time dog owner, but for a person or family who has helped a timid dog gain confidence and explore the world before, she will be a dream! She has come a long way; she loves meeting new people and will introduce herself to anyone and everyone! I think she will be a sassy girl once she has an opportunity to feel safe with her new lucky family!
Name: Livie
ID # PDR 1400
Age: 3yrs
Gender: female
Spayed: yes
UTD vaccines: yes
Breed: Golden Retriever
Colours: red
Coat length: med
House trained: yes
Special needs: no
OK with kids: teens
OK with cats: yes
Ok with dogs: yes
Status: adoptable
Microchip: yes
Size: large
Location: Kitchener
Adoption fee: $800
