Honey Greeted Everyone at the Door With a Mouthful of Socks
A light cream Golden Retriever stands in the hallway with a whole bundle of socks hanging from her mouth, striped and gray, with a white one peeking out. Her ears are folded back and her dark eyes look up with a sheepish expression. A laundry basket overflows behind her, and sunlight falls across the wooden floor. The sock drawer has clearly lost a few members.
Retrievers were bred to carry things in their mouths, so carrying objects is as natural to them as barking is to a terrier. Socks smell strongly of their owners, which makes them especially comforting to carry, and many Goldens will greet people at the door with a toy or shoe. The behavior is sweet, but swallowing socks can be seriously dangerous, because fabric can cause a blockage that needs urgent care from a vet. It is safest to keep laundry in a closed hamper.
Giving her a soft plush toy to carry can satisfy the same urge, and teaching a drop it cue turns the game into a trade. A reward for dropping the item makes it easy to take back without a chase.
She looks proud and a little worried, which is a very Golden combination. We might call her Honey, and she would probably wag at the name while holding on tight. Retrievers love an audience, so expect a tail wag the moment anyone notices the prize.
