Gabe - Ina/Piano 2013

My Gabe was a young adult placement for us.  He was almost ten months old when he went to live with John and Bonnie.  Still miss this boy. . . 

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Gaber at home with Daisy

Rhonda - In only 10 days, Gabe (also Gaber), has totally become part of our family.  Gabe is a 10 month young adult, he has the perfect temperament we were looking for most of all, our Veterinarian has declared him in perfect health, and he is beautiful.  

We have 4 children and 7 grand children who are often together for family affairs, an 11 year old Golden, and one of our retirement activities is taking our dogs to visit in hospitals and retirement homes.  So we absolutely had to have a dog with the perfect temperament to fit into our lifestyle.

Our search process for another Golden was to begin identifying breeders through word of mouth, internet search and phone interviews.  Having been Golden owners for 20 years, two Americans and one English, we knew the breed, and knew the advantages & disadvantages of a young pup vs. and young adult, but we had not researched breeders in many years.   We think we identified the top few breeders of Engish Goldens in the country, and Snitker Goldens sure qualifies as one of the best.   

You might be aiming to be THE best breeder, and based on our experience with your process, you could be.  Your adoption process is rigorous, thorough, transparent and honest, and we trusted the journey with you.   Required some patience on our part!  Gabe was a serious purchase for us.  We value that you took the placement so seriously also.  The multiple visits, emails and phone calls led to a perfect placement, so far.  Of course Gabe is a 10 month old dog, so there will be some challenges along the way, and we knew this.  Although Gabe is about as perfect and problem free as we could have hoped for.  We also knew it would take some time and diligence on our part to earn his trust.  For example, the other day we logged the times of "Gabe interactions" and there we 28 various actions for feeding, watering, bathroom outside, walking, obedience, ramp training into car, brushing coat, brushing teeth (new - he likes it), washing paws, etc etc.  Both the adoption fee and time invested has been worth it!

Here are some thoughts about Gaber's first days with us.  


On the positive side, Gabe has been a sweet, gentle, obedient addition to our family.  He is not aggressive with Daisy, our "elderly" Golden Retriever, and is wonderful around children.  He does not jump up on people, and seldom barks.  He has allowed other small dogs to jump up on him.  He has adapted quickly to his new environment.   He is learning to walk on the leash along side Daisy, and obeys commands readily.  He was calm and quiet during his first visit to the vet, and seemed to enjoy his first bath here.  All in all, a smooth transition from the farm to the city.
As far as the process goes, overall everything went pretty smoothly.  Rhonda has been very thorough in sharing information and giving tips on how to handle Gabe.  His exposure to small children at the farm is most likely the reason he is so comfortable with our small grandchildren.  The only negatives we can think of is his early rising time (5 AM), and he still needs to learn what is and is not a toy.  He loves to carry his toys around.    He does willingly give up any item when we tell him "no". 
It was great to get a young dog who has already been through the difficult puppy months, and who knows the key behavior commands.  And thankfully, Gabe has the wonderful sweet disposition that we love about this breed.  He couldn't be more gentle or loving.  If anything, it is hard for the two of us to give him the amount of attention he craves.  So glad we are retired and can stay home with him all day.  He might not have done as well in a home where everyone went to work all day, and left him in his kennel.  His placement with us was perfect.  When we do have to leave for short trips, he has Daisy here to keep him company.  And frequent visits with the grandchildren are a bonus as well. We look forward to taking him with us when we travel, and anticipate that he will enjoy spending time in a warmer climate in the winter, where we can walk outside everyday. 

John and Bonnie Leinart 

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Hi Rhonda -  Thought I would have John write a note saying how well things are going for me here in Moline.  Can't believe it will be 6 weeks tomorrow!  I have been the star of my dog obedience class so far, thanks to the great start you gave me before I got here.  Pretty much have all the commands nailed, after only 3 classes.  The trainer can't believe how well I do for a "young adult" -  11 months old today!  And he can't believe how mellow I am around other dogs.  One class had 7 German Shepard's, a Mastiff, and a Pit Bull, and I fit right in.  John can command sit-stay, or down-stay, and I stay there until he comes to release me, even if he walks away.  Next Wednesday I go to a nursing home to try to achieve the first level of pet therapy, through the Bright and Beautiful Pet Therapy Dog association.   My health is excellent.  Finished all my shots and Lyme Disease inoculation today.  I've gained 4 pounds, and John has lost 4 pounds taking care of me!  Maybe you should advertise "get a Snitker Golden, and lose weight".  My neutering is scheduled July 9 (yuck).  John and Bonnie couldn't love a dog more than me, except maybe their 11 year old Daisy.  And Daisy really likes me too!  In fact the whole extended family wants to kidnap me and take me to their homes.   I sure do like it when the grandkids come over, and that's when I act most like a puppy.  Sure I've had a few teenage moments, like trying to eat a throw rug once.  But when I am corrected I get the message immediately and don't repeat the mistake.  And if I slink really low, behind the counter, John and Bonnie can't stay mad at me for 30 seconds.  But I really have been almost entirely a very well behaved dog.  People consistently say I am the very most friendly, sweet, affectionate dog they have ever seen.  I have never mouthed anyone, nor jumped on anyone, and I've only barked 3 times in 6 weeks.   Nothing spooks me, once I got used to some different city noises, except one night a raccoon living in a tree behind the house scared me a little.  Had to sit in John's lap that night.   Hope all is well in Waukon, and hope all my latest nieces and nephews placed this spring are doing as well as me.  Gaber

And here's Gaber while he was still with us - spending some time with Little G

Gaber at John and Bonnie's - still with the pink dinosaur he picked out from my basket of new toys.

I'm so proud of you, Gabe.  Miss you lots.  Just knowing you're loved and thriving is enough.  :)
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Young Adult Placements
We have a few young adults whom we'll be placing this summer.  Stay tuned for more information on these Goldens.  For more information, please contact Stephanie at:  stephanie.snitkergoldens@gmail.com.