Golden Retriever puppies and dogs in Iowa

Harley is a sweet senior Golden Retriever mix, born in 2017.  She is very loving and friendly with everyone.  Once you pet her, you'll have a friend for life! Harley is diabetic and needs someone who can handle her medication needs, both financially and administering.  Personality Friendly with kids (all ages), and strangers Loves to give kisses Loves to be outside in the yard, sniff and lay in the grass Generally calm, but gets excited when people talk to her and pet her Friendly to other dogs that are smaller than her She is intimitated by bigger dogs - not aggressive, just doesn't engage with them She's never been around cats, so we don't know how she would do Harley's Skills House trained Leash and Crate trained  Knows some commands Other Health Info Takes medication for allergies Her eyesight is not what it used to be, but she does not have problems getting around According to the vet, she has cataracts Diagnosed with diabetes a littlve over 2 years ago The Perfect Home Someone who is okay giving medication or is willing to learn A fenced yard would be ideal so she can safely wander in the yard (although she is accustomed to being in an apartment) Kids or no kids would be okay Not sure about cats, but she is very loving so she might be okay with them ** Please consider giving this special girl a home or spread the word if you know someone that might be perfect for her! **   The suggested adoption donation for Harley is $350, which includes a lifetime of free relationship-based training for any behavioral problems (not obedience training).  Muddy Paws is a 501c3 non-profit organization meaning that part of your donation MAY be TAX DEDUCTIBLE. We are a 100% volunteer rescue committed to giving animals a second chance at life. All donations go toward that mission. Adoption fees are the primary source of funding for the cost of veterinary care for our animals. In 2022 alone, we provided animal Healthcare totaling over $399,000 covered mainly through adoption fees. Please Note:  A Courtesy Post designates that an animal is still in the home of its owner and not in a Muddy Paws foster. This means that our exposure to the animal is limited since we are only assisting the owner in finding a new home for their pet. From time to time, owners find a new furever home for their pets outside of Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue and there is a delay in removing them from our site. We apologize if the Courtesy Post you apply to adopt is unavailable for adoption. Information about the adoption process:  All adoptions require a completed ADOPTION APPLICATION. Once your application has completed our prescreen steps, we will put you in touch with the animal’s foster to see if you and the pet are a good match. If so, we will arrange a meeting for you and the animal. The adoptions for all of our animals will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver. Please Note:  We are a RESCUE, which is different from a shelter. We conduct veterinary and personal reference checks, and a Home Visit (Virtual in some cases) during the application approval process. We always select the right applicant for each animal, based on the animal’s needs. If you and the animal are not a good match, we will help you select another animal, or we will keep your approved application on file for 6 months. To learn about Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue or donate to our animals, please visit our website at MuddyPawsSecondChanceRescue.com or our Facebook Page Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue Inc. ##2838823##

Norman has been part of our family since he was a puppy. He is incredibly smart and loyal. He does well in 4-H and well behaved around children and other dogs OUTSIDE of our home.We have realized that Norman’s biggest struggle is territorial behavior in our home. He becomes irritable and has had 2 incidents of bad behavior to people coming into his home without introduction.With our three children and frequent people coming and going, we no longer feel we can realistically manage every interaction safely. We believe Norman may thrive in a home where new people can be introduced appropriately. We love Norman very much, which makes this decision incredibly difficult, but we feel rehoming is ultimately the safest and best choice for him and our family.

9/2/26: Murphy is ready to find his forever home! He is a 9-year-old Golden Retriever. CHILDREN: May live with children, age 5 and above. Murphy is a big dog who does not know his own size (approx 95 lb) and would tend to knock down smaller children or not be able to get up from a lying position to get out of the way of toddler walking walkers/rompers, etc. Murphy’s surrendering family had a small toddler learning to walk with a bouncy device. Murphy could not get out of the way of the child and would become frustrated and growl. It never went further than this and is a reason for slightly older children. OTHER DOGS: Murphy would be a great only dog. Not ruling out living with another dog, but Murphy loves being the center of attention. Any living with other dogs would need proper introduction. Murphy gets along with his foster dog brother by mostly ignoring each other (coexisting), except for walking parallel during walks. CATS: In his previous home, his best friend was their cat, and he helped raise two foster kittens. Would need proper introductions. FENCE: Murphy loves to play ball, but is not off-leash trained and should have a fenced yard, along with regular walks to help him lose weight. He is about 20 lbs overweight, and with regular play in a yard and walking, he could lose at least some of it and help his joints. Murphy does not have a high prey drive and does not tend to chase animals on walks. ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate activity level HEALTH: Murphy has arthritis in his hind legs. At this time, it does not seem to be slowing him down. With some weight loss and just started taking supplements (Cosequin) recommended by vet, he can continue with normal activity. Murphy does not do well with loud noises, like thunderstorms and fireworks. He has a prescription for Trazadone which can be given and would be ideal to have his humans there to soothe him. It would be ideal to not have him outside during the loud noises as he would be a risk for running away, if not leashed. Murphy does need regular grooming of his coat to keep it tangle-free. Ideally, would be at least every other day brushing and regular cleaning of his ears, trimming his nails and tending to any hotspots. BEHAVIOR: Murphy takes treats nicely and allows foster to take toys from him with no growling or guarding behaviors. He does like to play keep away sometimes and will run away with the toy versus giving it up and thinks it is a game. WALKS: Murphy would benefit from someone who loves to take walks and would take him along. For a dog of his size, he walks amazingly well on the leash. Sometimes in the morning he has this hoppy dance he does as we’re starting out on the walk and can pull a bit, but it is really his excitement and not trying to pull the human. A couple of times he did pull to explore a tempting smell or to get to another human he thought would pet him. Murphy has a harness and leash built for his size. He willingly goes into it and has no issues walking with it on. He also has a Martingale collar on and has gone outside for the last potty trip out with leash attached to the collar and does fine. Would recommend a harness for regular walks. ADOPTER: Because Murphy is a big golden and already a bit over 9 years old, he is looking for a family to live out his golden years. No specific age of the adopter, but someone used to handling a big dog. OBEDIENCE TRAINING: Murphy does know basics such as sit, down and is working on “wait” with his foster, otherwise he tends to just barge ahead whether that it to get the food in his bowl or to go out the front door. With regular practice, he is learning this skill. HOUSETRAINING: Murphy is fully potty trained, and sleeps all night on the floor in his foster mom’s room. No issues when being gone for periods of time, though he does need to go out when humans return. TRICK TRAINING: Murphy knows how to “shake” and does seem interested in learning. He’s a smart boy. PLAY: He likes playing with foster mom when she gets on the floor with him. He likes a couple of toys that came from his surrendering family and will carry them in his mouth. Though there are plenty of chew toys, he is not very interested in chewing on them. BARKING: Murphy does not bark excessively but will bark when excited or anxious. He will sometimes growl or bark with his toys in his mouth, but the growl is not meant aggressively. He also whines, especially as walks start out or when anxious. If removed from the place causing anxiety or continues on a walk, the vocalizing reduces. It is kind of cute, but could be distressing if you’re not aware of his quirks. FOOD/WATER: Murphy is currently on Purina Pro Plan sensitive stomach, no fish oil base dog food. He eats a cup in the morning and a cup at suppertime. He is not super messy with water when drinking, but he does drink a fair amount of water, so he needs to have the water bowl filled regularly. CAR RIDES: The only car ride was to the foster’s home, and Murphy lay on the back seat of the car and seemed to travel well. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *Murphy has growled and snapped at another older dog in his home prior to surrender. In his foster home, he has growled a couple of times at his foster dog brother, but there have been no issues and with a very firm “knock it off,” there were no further issues. *Not mouthy, but can be jumpy when very excited. *Murphy shows no resource guarding of his toys, food, water, or people. *Murphy has never been crated, but has worked well gating him off in the kitchen, when leaving the home. Murphy does not counter-surf (he’s never had people food) and does well with a Kong stuffed with dog treats; sealed with plain Greek yogurt, then frozen. It would be ideal for his new family to not be gone for long stretches every day. Longest left so far was 7 hours. *Murphy does exhibit anxious behavior such as whining, pawing at the door, and panting and pacing at times. Not always related to the humans leaving. With Foster human, we have worked on the pawing at the door when we went to the vet, and Murphy exhibited the behavior. Foster was able to offer a correction and a reward of touch when he ceased the behavior. If you are interested in this awesome guy, submit your application today!

9/22/26- Update: 🐾Available for Adoption - Skye🐾 We aren't sure why this awesome dog is not in her forever home yet! Her foster mom sent us an update on Skye - 💜PLAY BALL! Skye LOVES her tennis balls so much that she shuns the Kong ones I bought. You should see her FLY over our little bushes in pursuit of her prize! 🌧RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY! Skye likes being outdoors and doesn't mind the rain/mist at all (which is a good thing right now) for playing or getting her business done. 🐾SQUEAK! Skye got a new lambchop toy and squeaks its squeaker at every opportunity! So far she doesn't even try to destroy her dollies in search of the squeak! SIT! Skye is responding really well to the CLICK and hand signal that Clint with Knox Canine Training taught her for SIT. She will come on command and is very treat-oriented! KENNEL! Speaking of treat-oriented, we are practicing kennel time when we are home so she is happier when we are gone. A treat-filled Kong is going a long way toward her staying busy and relaxed. She is also happy to take her meals in her kennel, which is our other strategy to get her excited about going in! She RUNS to her kennel! 💜LOVES! Skye really likes to be petted, especially on her chest and head. She is doing better about craving so much attention and is getting more polite, so the hugging has mostly stopped. ZZZZs! Skye is totally content to get her Zzzzs right beside you on a dog bed and is learning "go lay down." She likes to be reassured you're right there and wants some pets at bedtime but doesn't insist on sleeping with you. We are looking forward to more training sessions with Clint Knox Canine Training! Skye is a precious girl who wants most of all to be loved, and she deserves it! Read her full bio on our website and learn about her forever home requirements. https://grroiowa.org/pet/skye-26-041/ Submit your application today! https://grroiowa.org/adoption-information/ **** 9/1/26: We are currently seeking a dedicated home for one of our latest foster dogs. She is a beautiful, intelligent princess who requires a structured environment to truly thrive. Could your home be the perfect match for her next chapter? The Ideal Setup: Solo Pet: Must be the only dog or cat in the household. She wants to receive all of your love and attention. Secured Yard: A physical fence is strictly required for her safety and exercise. Family Dynamic: Suitable for families with older children only (ages 10 and up). Environment: A consistent, predictable daily routine is highly recommended to help her feel secure. Personality, Quirks, & Overview: Breed & Age: 5.5-year-old Golden Retriever (weighing approximately 65 lbs). Activity Level: High energy. She thoroughly enjoys long walks, structured playtime, and mental stimulation. Activity: She is highly vocal and will bark at other dogs while on leash. However, she is making excellent progress and currently crushing her distraction training. Toy Connoisseur: She loves having her toys out of the toy box and accessible at all times. Alert System: She is vocal, but she settles down quickly. Human Hugger: She is working hard on her manners and learning not to jump or hug humans when excited. This sweet, active dog is ready for her next chapter. She will make an incredibly loyal companion for an experienced handler who can provide the structure and training consistency she deserves.

Our Adorable Little LOWRIDER! Mint is a handsome, happy, playful boy who got a second chance thanks to a kind Samaritan who found his mama living under a tree. Mama had even dug a little hole to keep her babies safe—and that’s how this sweet boy got his gardening-herb name! Mint’s foster mama says he is a sweet, high-energy love bug who is always ready for fun, playtime, and cuddles. He loves everyone! Kids, other dogs, toys, and adventures are all totally his jam. His mama appears to be a Lab mix, but since Mint and his siblings look a little different, we’re not exactly sure what breeds make up this adorable crew. We do have a pretty good suspicion that Mint has some Dachshund mixed in! This little guy is wonderfully low and long, giving him that irresistible lowrider look. Whatever his mix may be, one thing is certain—Mint is ridiculously cute, full of personality, and ready for a forever family! If you’re looking for a fun-loving pup with a big personality and an extra-low ride, Mint may be your guy! Local adoption fee is $350(in TX) Out of state adoption fee is $650 (includes transport to your area)

Lyla is a very affectionate Golden Retriever mix who was born in December of 2018. This girl is looking for a new home with no children.  Lyla does get along with other dogs, but because she does NOT like to share her food or toys, she needs to be an only dog.  Lyla LOVES to spend time outside on nice days so a fenced yard is a must! Lyla has made a lot of progress in foster care.  She does still guard high value objects on occasion, but she is easily persuaded to drop the item if a treat is involved!  Lyla is very loyal and loves human attention to the point she sometimes has to be told to go lay down.  She loves car rides and is very well behaved in a car or in the house.  The ideal home for Lyla would be an adult only home with no other pets.  If Lyla has to work on anything - it would be walking on a leash because she gets so excited to explore new places that she does pull.  With a bit of free training from Muddy Paws, we are sure she can be loose leash walking in no time! Lyla is very attached to her foster mom, so will require a few visits to transition her into her new home. Lyla was diagnosed with Addisons Disease caused by decreased hormone production from the outer part or cortex of the adrenal gland.  She is on prednisone daily which costs about $20 per month.  There is a possiblility that in the future she may require a shot every 25 days, which can be given at home or by a vet.   The suggested adoption donation for Lyla is $365, which is TAX DEDUCTIBLE, and goes toward providing supportive services to animals in the home, as well as the high cost of vetting our dogs in rescue.  If you would like to welcome Lyla into your home, please begin by submitting our Adoption Application.  The adoptions for all of our dogs will take place in the Omaha, NE area and must be done by the adoptive family in person. We do not ship or deliver the dogs.  If you would like to learn more about Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue, or donate to our dogs, please visit our website at MuddyPawsSecondChanceRescue.com.  We invite you to visit our Facebook Page, and when you visit, please don't forget to Like our Facebook page so that you won’t miss any information about our dogs and events! ##445685##