For many rescue dogs, routine procedures such as nail trims, ear cleaning, brushing, medications, or veterinary handling can quickly become overwhelming. Some dogs have little prior handling experience, while others may already associate restraint and medical care with fear or discomfort.
Cooperative care offers a different approach.

At its core, cooperative care teaches dogs to willingly participate in husbandry and veterinary care instead of simply enduring it. Rather than forcing a dog through a procedure, the process focuses on trust, communication, predictability, and small achievable steps.

One of the most important themes from the seminar was that many handling struggles are not signs of a “bad dog.” Often, the dog is simply overwhelmed.

Laura described how dogs are frequently pushed into situations they are not prepared for, react emotionally or defensively, and are then labeled as fearful, stubborn, or aggressive. Over time, both the dog and caregiver begin dreading routine care.

Cooperative care attempts to “tip the scales” back toward success by slowing down the process and reinforcing small wins.

For example, instead of immediately attempting a full nail trim, training may begin with simply showing the clippers, briefly touching a paw, or rewarding calm behavior around the sound of a Dremel. The same approach can be used for ear care, oral care, injections, grooming, basket muzzles, and veterinary handling.

One particularly interesting concept discussed was consent-based handling. Dogs cannot verbally consent, of course, but they can learn predictable behaviors that communicate comfort and willingness to continue.

Examples included the following:

• Resting the chin on a towel or platform
• Standing calmly on a mat
• Remaining voluntarily engaged during handling

If the dog disengages or moves away, the handler pauses and reassesses rather than forcing the procedure forward.

The presentation also emphasized that medical and behavioral care often overlap. Pain, skin sensitivity, chronic ear infections, orthopedic issues, and previous medical trauma can all influence how comfortably a dog participates in handling.

One important reminder was that medication support is not failure. In some cases, veterinarian-prescribed pre-visit medications can significantly reduce stress and help prevent traumatic experiences.

For many AGaG members, the biggest takeaway may simply be this: slow down.

If a dog struggles with handling, that does not necessarily mean the dog is difficult or intentionally resistant. Often, the dog is communicating discomfort, confusion, fear, or lack of preparation.

A few practical starting points include the following:

• Keep sessions short and successful
• Pair handling with high-value rewards
• Watch body language closely
• Stop before the dog becomes overwhelmed
• Break procedures into smaller steps
• Include your veterinarian in the plan

Progress may feel slow initially, but repeated small successes often produce far better long-term results than repeatedly forcing stressful procedures.

A special thank you to Julie Dorsey-Oskerka and A Sound Beginning Program for hosting the seminar and supporting DuPage County Animal Services through the fundraiser connected to the event.

Resources:

Laura Monaco Torelli
https://www.lauramonacotorelli.com/

Laura’s YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@lauramonacotorelli

Karen Pryor Academy Cooperative Care Course
https://karenpryoracademy.com/live-classes/#lmt

A Sound Beginning Program
https://asoundbeginningprogram.com/

The post Cooperative Care: Building Trust Through Everyday Care appeared first on As Good As Gold - Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois.

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Locating a Lost Dog

Mia, who was adopted by Donna and Jim Davis this past November, was just about to complete a walk in the park on her birthday, February 12. She was with her boxer brother Dexter, her golden retriever sister, Frankie, and her mom and dad. Mia was wearing her harness and was on a retractable leash when suddenly her leash tangled with one of the other leashes and fell to the ground. She took off running with Donna following her as best she could.

She was so fast that she was quickly out of sight. “We got scared and nervous and tried to track her down as best we could. It’s a very large park. She was very frightened and just kept running,” Jim said. Donna and Jim kept looking and calling her. It was getting dark. A conservation officer came by and tried to assist. Unfortunately, Donna and Jim we were required to leave the park, so headed home.

The next day, Friday the 13th, family and friends joined the Davises in the search for Mia, but to no avail.

Experts Arrive

The Davis family reached out to experienced search and rescue organizations for much-needed assistance. Drone searches were conducted by Mike Smith, owner of SmithicAir, and Michael Davis, owner of Best Furry Friends (BFF). Linda Hartman, a volunteer with Lost Dogs Illinois, joined the search.

Recovery Expert Insights

Linda Hartman is a dog recovery expert. She explained how Mia and other lost dogs often feel.
Fear often takes over, and they assume a survival mode. They don’t recognize their owners. Even though Mia was just beginning to become close to her fur sister Frankie, now when she saw her from afar, she saw her new sister as a predator.

Mia came in contact with a coyote; in fact they were face-to-face. Though Mia is only 35 pounds, Linda stated that sometimes coyotes don’t want to approach certain dogs for fear they could get bit.

Recovery

Once the first drone sighted Mia and followed her for several days, it was felt there could be a happy ending for Mia and her family.

Linda, from Lost Dogs Illinois offered recovery insights:

Feeding stations heavy with owner scent were maintained. And, on a couple of occasions, Mia came within yards of Donna, but fear pushed her away again. Another setback came when she disappeared for three days, and in a conservation area with active wildlife, that silence is brutal. But we kept reminding ourselves that lost dogs are incredibly resilient. We trusted the process and stayed consistent. Low and behold, she showed up again on our cameras. What a relief!

The drone operators had the ability to maneuver their drones to encourage Mia to go in certain directions so Donna and Frankie could attempt to lure Mia to them.

It took more than two weeks for the conservation board members to approve the use of a live trap (crate.) But, once approved, Linda and Mike were confident they could trap her. The crate was lined with astro turf and overlayed with straw. A pair of Donna’s socks were placed inside. Linda indicated that the scent could help Mia snap out of survival mode. Mia would find food and water inside too! BFF and Linda put in countless hours watching the trap and tracking Mia’s movements.

Finally, in the early morning of March 1, all the efforts came together! Mia was safe and tucked securely in her crate.

The Aftermath

Mia’s family reports that she is doing very well now. She sustained a soft tissue injury to her right leg, which is healing well. Mia had been a food grazer, but not since returning home. She now eats all of her dinner right away. Before her escape, she wasn’t a huge fan of Jim. Now she is around him much more.

For walks, Mia is double leashed. One leash goes on her Martingale collar, the other leash (non-retractable) is attached to her harness. Mia, Frankie and Dexter now have a GPS tracker on their collars to ensure their whereabouts.

Lost Dog Tips from the Professionals

• Create a station with your dog’s food, water bowl, blankets and/or bed where she was last seen.
• Post your dog on Lost Dogs Illinois by registering with PetFBI at petfbi.org.
• Get the word out by using fliers and signs with a picture of your dog and your phone number. Go door-to-door with your fliers in the neighborhood where your dog was last seen.
• Contact your local animal shelters, animal control facilities, vet clinics and police departments to report your dog missing. Email them a photo of your dog and your contact information.
• Notify the microchip company that your dog is missing and confirm that the chip is registered with your current contact information.
• If the dog is a fearful one, instruct everyone who is helping not to call or chase him as this will prolong your search.
• If the dog is near, sitting or lying down and tossing out treats is the best way to lure him in.
• No direct eye contact.
• Retractable leashes carry risk. If dropped, the noise and dragging handle can scare a dog and trigger a strong flight response.
• Be resourceful. If you encounter a roadblock, respectfully continue the conversation with the appropriate decision-makers. Sometimes it just takes persistence and collaboration. Decisions can change when the right people understand the mission.

Video from one of the drones covering Mia:
SmithicAir video: https://youtu.be/Y1R2StfvhtY

Recognitions:

Best Furry Friends, Michael Davis
Preferred Contact Method: bffsearchandrescue@gmail.com

Lost Dogs Illinois, especially Linda Hartman
https://lostdogsillinois.org

SmithicAir, Mike Smith
https://www.smithicair.com/home

The post Locating a Lost Dog appeared first on As Good As Gold - Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois.

Even though more dogs than ever are living in our homes and 95 percent of pet owners consider them family, bite incidents have increased in recent years. Steve encouraged the audience to rethink the way we approach dogs. His message was simple: don’t just ask the owner, ask the dog.

Dogs are constantly communicating. Subtle signals like lip licking, turning away, stiff posture, freezing, or showing the whites of their eyes are early signs of stress. Too often, those warnings are missed, and the first behavior people recognize is a growl or snap. Most bites are not random acts of aggression. They are the final step after earlier communication has been ignored.

One practical takeaway was how we greet dogs. Many of us were taught to put our hand out so a dog can sniff it. In reality, dogs can smell us perfectly well from where we are standing. Reaching into a dog’s space can feel intrusive. A better approach is to pause, observe, and allow the dog to choose. If the dog wants interaction, it will move closer. If it turns away or moves off, that is communication and it should be respected.

Steve also discussed factors contributing to rising bite statistics, including pandemic-era under-socialization, punishment-based training that suppresses warning signals instead of addressing fear, lack of supervision between children and dogs, and untreated medical issues that make handling painful.

Reducing dog bites protects people, preserves the human–animal bond, and prevents unnecessary surrender or euthanasia. Most importantly, it reminds us that dogs are not objects to be handled. They are sentient companions who deserve to be understood.

It was an important reminder that sometimes the safest thing we can do is slow down and ask the dog.

Steve Dale is a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC)
Link to his web site: https://stevedalepetworld.com

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Submit all entries via this electronic form. You will receive an email confirmation once your entry is reviewed and approved.

Submission Requirements:

• Photo: One horizontal orientation (landscape – phone turned sideways) digital color photo of your AGaG adopted or long-term care foster dog (minimum 2MB). Do not crop or edit. Photos with poor resolution won’t print well. See example below:
• Story: A 50-word (max) story about your dog (we may edit to fit).
• Information:
  • Your name, phone number, and email (only your name will appear in the calendar).
  • Dog’s current and adopted name (if changed).

Photo Tips:

• Seasonal, holiday, and special interest photos are encouraged.
• Focus on the dog’s face for personality.
• Outdoor photos preferred (no low light).
• No humans in the photo.
• Remove distracting objects in the background before taking the photo.
• Submit only one photo per dog.

Eligibility:

• Entries must feature AGaG adopted or long-term care foster dogs.
• Non-AGaG dogs may appear in the same photo.
• No professional photos.

Deadline and Questions:

• Entries must be received by Thursday, April 30, 2026.
• For questions, contact Colleen White at colleenwhiteagag@gmail.com.

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Join us for this year’s As Good as Gold Spring Membership Meeting on Sunday, March 22 at Two Brothers Round House in Aurora, IL.

New this year: your dogs are welcome to come along and enjoy the day with us.

ALL As Good as Gold members are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Not a member yet? Sign up here to help us give rescued goldens the life they deserve.

Become a Member

A buffet-style luncheon will be served and will include Two Brothers Root Beer Braised Pulled Pork, Bourbon Glazed Chicken Breast, Roasted Baby Red Potatoes, garden salad, mixed grilled vegetables, rolls and fresh baked assorted cookies and brownies. We also have a vegetarian option available.

• This is our annual business meeting where we will review our accomplishments of 2025, introduce our board and coordinators, and discuss plans for 2026.
• We will also recognize our outstanding volunteers in our fourteenth annual volunteer recognition ceremony.
• Opportunities to win merchandise and other prizes.
• There will be a selection of As Good as Gold merchandise for sale before and after the meeting.
• Interested in getting involved? Stop by our volunteer table — we’ll be happy to answer questions and help you find the right fit.

This is a great in-person opportunity for all members, especially new members, to meet the Board of Directors/Coordinators, our members, and volunteers, and find out more about the organization.

Registration Spring Membership Meeting

Deadline to register – Friday, March 13th

We hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you at the meeting!

Warm regards,
Deb Harris and Rolayne Swenson
As Good as Gold – Golden Retriever Rescue of IL
membership@asgoodasgold.org

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This Giving Tuesday, we are striving to raise $44,000—enough to support the medical care of 20 goldens who need us most.

Your donation directly fuels our rescue efforts: vaccinations, medications, spay/neuter procedures, diagnostics, treatment for illness or injury, and the rehabilitation that helps every dog move confidently into a loving forever home.

Every dollar makes a difference.
Thank you for helping us give each golden the healthy, happy future they deserve.

Please donate today.

Donate Here

Here are some of the stories of the amazing goldens that we have been able to rescue:

Romeo
Enabled by love.
Read my story

Butters
The Give Back Golden!
Read my story

Suri
So loved she was adopted twice!
Read my story

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 Have you started your wish list yet?

Support As Good as Gold with your purchase of fresh greenery and/or handcrafted ornaments from Christmas Forest. As Good as Gold receives 10 percent of all sales!

• Wreaths, 51 designs and sizes
• Natural garland, swags, and over-the-door wreath hangers
• Guaranteed fresh greenery of pine or fur
• Ornaments: 60 choices, handcrafted and of heirloom quality
• Free Shipping

Ordering Process:

• Go to www.ChristmasForest.com
• Click “Add to cart” to order greenery, ornaments, or hangers
• Enter AGAGO in the club/promo code at checkout

Orders must be in by December 8 to guarantee Christmas delivery.

Direct questions to Mark Sodoma at mtsodoma@gmail.com

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