How Can You Protect Your Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever becomes family as soon as it enters the house. So, protecting the family is very important. Golden Retriever is so lovely and beautiful that everyone loves and admires it.
But still, the loyalty and trustworthy nature of your pet may harm it in this cruel world. Therefore, you should take care of them.
The ways of protecting them are:
Should You Get A Golden Retriever From A Breeder Or A Rescue
If you want a golden retriever puppy, chances are youll have to get one from a breeder.
There are usually more people that want to rescue goldens than there are goldens that need to be rescued, and golden retriever puppies available to be rescued are rather rare .
If you do want to rescue a golden retriever, check out this article to find a golden retriever rescue near you.
But if you want to get a golden retriever puppy from a breeder, you need to know how to find the right breeder for you.
Golden Retrievers And Other Pets
Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too.
Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time.
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Will You Buy A New Puppy Or Rescue One
It can be a tough decision, choosing between a puppy from a breeder, or Golden Retriever puppy rescue.
Hopefully, the points we briefly discussed above will make the decision a little easier.
If you still arent sure, take a look at our guide to puppies vs dogs.
You can find a list of Golden Retriever puppy rescue centers on our main breed information page.
But, for now, lets take a closer look at puppies from breeders.
What To Expect With A Golden Retriever Puppy
When I told my mom I was going to get a golden retriever puppy, she asked me this: have you been around puppies much?
I was a little curious about why she asked me that, and honestly, I hadnt been around them much, but I just shrugged her off and told her how excited I was.
A week after bringing Oliver home, it was very obvious to me why she asked me that.
Puppies are hard work!
I wasnt sleeping, spent most of my waking hours taking him out to pee or making sure he didnt chew up the house, and whenever I tried to pet him, he would just try to bite me.
Of course, there were nice moments, too, like cuddling with him on the couch, watching him sleep, or seeing how happy he got when we came home, but Ill be honest
I was completely surprised and overwhelmed.
And so youre not blindsided, too, heres a little about what to expect
Waking up in the night
Most puppies will wake up one to three, and sometimes four, times per night.
Their little bladders can only hold it for a few hours, so this is expected.
Hating the crate
Most puppies will hate the crateat first, and thats totally expected, but that doesnt make it much easier when youre trying to sleep and theyre whining or crying.
Chewing
Puppies will try to chew any and everything.
Biting
Puppies have not learned the phrase, Dont bite the hand that feeds you
Peeing in the house
Accidents will happen, but the best way to stop them is to take them out often. Like every thirty minutes often.
Diarrhea
Zoomies
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Potty Training A Golden Retriever Puppy
At eight weeks old, your Golden puppy will just pee whenever their little bladder is full. No matter where they happen to be.
So its important to think about how you are going to protect any carpeted areas in your home for the first few weeks.
TIP: Baby gates help keep small puppies in areas with washable floors.
The tricky part is getting there, and you may need a little help and support.
Bone And Joint Problems
A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Golden Retrievers. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. With diligent observation at home and knowledge about the diseases that may affect your friend’s bones, joints, or muscles, you will be able to take great care of him throughout his life.
- Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. Stiffness in your Golden’s elbows or hips may become a problem for him, especially as he matures. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritisthe sooner the betterto minimize discomfort and pain. Well take X-rays of your dogs bones to identify issues as early as possible. Surgery is also sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. And keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering!
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Start Training Early And Hire A Professional
Sullie was my first pup 10 years ago and while we did an okay job training her, we definitely could have done better. While she is overall the sweetest and most well-behaved pup ever, she is still no fun to walk on a leash. I did the Petsmart Puppy Kindergarten with Sullie and while it was okay, I knew I didnt want to go that route with Zoey. I dont agree with some of their training techniques and I wanted a deeper dive into training.
We made the investment to hire UberDog here in Charlotte to help us with training Zoey. They did several in-home session and we have lifetime group classes . It was totally worth the investment for us. Before choosing a trainer or training program, make sure that you agree with their training method and beliefs. Im in the positive as possible camp when it comes to training so UberDog was a great fit for us.
Make sure youre committed to doing the work you need to do for training your dog. Theyre not going to learn everything they need to know through one training session with a trainer or a class every week. Its day in and day out work at home. Also, take responsibility for some of your dogs bad habits. Case in point, Zoey still jumps up on the counter and eats things. While I get mad at her, its mostly our fault for failing to do the proper training to stop the habit.
Dogs are so smart and they want to make you happy. You just have to train them!
Are You Raising A Golden Retriever Puppy
At times, when your puppy is small, you may question whether or not you have made a mistake in bringing a Golden Retriever into your home.
There is a period of adjustment, often known as the puppy blues when raising a puppy can all seem a bit much.
Rest assured that Golden Retriever puppies do grow up into great family dogs. They have one of the best temperaments of any dog breed and are ideally suited to a young and active family.
Are you expecting a Golden Retriever puppy? Do tell us all about them in the comments below and dont forget to join our forum community!
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Physical Appearance And Standard Characteristics Of The Golden Retriever
Considering that there are differences in breed standards among retrievers depending on their geographic location, in this section we will only deal with the canons imposed in the British model.
In the following, however, we will deal with the small differences that can be seen in the Canadian and American specimens.
1. Size and build
The Golden Retriever is a solidly built dog with strong bones and good muscular prowess.
The size of the dog can already be considered large, despite the Goldens constitution having to be proportionate, moderately slender, and absolutely not heavy.
Male specimens can reach 61 cm at the withers and an weight of about 34 kg, which clearly must be related to the height of the animal.
Females, on the other hand, can reach 56 cm at the withers, with a weight that should oscillate around 27 kg.
2. Head
The skull of the golden retriever has important dimensions, and to be well-positioned and supported by a strong neck.
Both the muzzle and the skullcap are quite wide and should have the same length.
The stop between the bridge of the nose and the skull must be well detached, the nose and the eyes of the dog should both oscillate between black and dark brown.
The Goldens lips are only slightly drooping, the closing of the scissor mouth and the powerful jaw.
The dogs ears are medium in size and hang down the sides of the skull.
3. Bust and limbs
The tail must also develop at the same height, long up to the hock, also of regular and rectilinear shape.
Goldens Have A Double Coat
Push your fingers gently through your Golden Retrievers fur and down to the skin, youll feel two distinct layers of fur.
This is known as a double coat, which consists of a thick undercoat and long fine top coat.
This helps to keep them warm in the water, but also contributes to their rather dramatic shedding!
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Teaching Your Golden Retriever Puppy To Wait
The practice of patience: Waiting. What a lesson to teacheven for humans.
For your puppy, waiting means not moving when we move away. But you can also use this lesson later on for things like waiting at doors, before you let them out of the car, or in their crate. Unfortunately, using it for teaching them to wait on tables is way past their learning capabilities.
There are two aspects to teaching your puppy to wait:
First, well work on duration.
Now, lets practice distance.
Coat Color And Grooming
Golden Retrievers have a dense, water-repellent outer coat with a thick undercoat. Some coats are wavy, some are straight. The fur feathers on the back of the front legs and underbody, with heavier feathering on the chest, back of the thighs, and tail.
Golden Retrievers come in all shades of gold, from light to dark gold. Some breeders have begun selling “rare white Goldens,” but the American Kennel Club does not recognize white as a coat color for the breed.
Golden Retrievers shed moderately in the winter and summer, and heavily in the spring and fall. If you live with a Golden, you’ll need to adapt to a certain amount of dog hair in your house and on your clothes.
The Golden’s thick coat means lots of grooming. Daily brushing is recommended to prevent tangling, and once a week is the bare minimum. Your Golden will also need a bath at least once a month, often more frequently, to keep him looking and smelling clean.
Brush your Golden’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Begin accustoming your Golden to being brushed and examined when he’s a puppy. Handle his paws frequently dogs are touchy about their feet and look inside his mouth. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he’s an adult.
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Questions About Your Golden Retriever
Maybe you’ve just purchased a new retriever pup and are seeking advice and information on basic puppy training and proper puppy care.
Trying to decide whether or not to crate train and worrying if housebreaking can actually be accomplished? And what about those sharp baby teeth that seem ready, willing, and able to take off a limb?Considering adopting an older Goldie and wondering if she will adjust to your home? What if you bring home another dog, how will your older, established one react to a new house member?Wondering about breeding your dogs and what is involved in the process from beginning to end? What if something goes wrong during delivery? What if the momma has no milk and you have to bottle feed?Or, maybe you just love this magnificent breed and want to learn more about them and look at adorable pictures?
Well, sit and stay awhile, as we explore all the various aspects, ins and outs, ups and downs, and adoration of this outstanding class of dog!
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Teach Your Puppy To Sit
Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. Not only is it something we like to teach because they look incredibly cute, but sitting also means that there will not be any jumping up and down on people Its also a fairly easy trick for puppies to pick up.
How to prepare
PRO TIP: Remember that the stinkier the treat, the better. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy.
How to do it
TIPS
· Finish your training session with some play to end on a good note.
· Keep your training sessions short take a break after 5 sits. Its still the early days anyway.
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Golden Retriever Puppy Food Requirements
Your new puppies may also have a special need for their daily dose of vitamins and supplements.
Golden Retrievers have a very sensitive stomach so dont give them milk or any other high-calorie food that is dangerous to their health. Milk and milk products meant for human consumption and baby food are NOT suitable for puppies.
You should only feed them dog food 3-4 times a day once the puppies are weaned from mothers milk. If at all, puppy should be fed puppy milk substitute only. Make sure to use a balanced diet so your puppy receives all the vitamins he needs.
You can read more about dog food in my previous articles in detail here and here. Also it is important to know what ingredients are going into the puppy food that you are buying. Read about dog food ingredients to get an idea.
Puppies that eat too many calories or too many kinds of food will develop obesity. Overfeeding is the number one cause of serious health problems for golden retrievers and you should avoid feeding your puppy too much.
As far as the nutrition part is concerned, this is a natural process and they should receive nutritionally appropriate dog food. Make sure you give good quality puppy dog food available in the market. Feeding home food may leave the puppy nutritional deficient in essential vitamins and minerals.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets
Golden Retrievers make excellent companion animals for other canines and cats. These dogs might have a bit of a prey drive, but their docile nature typically takes over, making them compatible with smaller pets.
Goldens are very good-natured dogs, even if they are a bit hyper when theyre young. They make terrific companion animals for other petsboth new and existing. They tend to acclimate well to new situations and make excellent candidates for dog park trips.
However, cage animals should always be closely monitored, if not completely separated, from these animals. Accidents do happen. If your dog instinctually bites or even just plays too rough, a smaller animal could face unfortunate consequences.
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Size Of Golden Retrievers
Golden Retrievers are medium- to large-sized dogs, but as with most dogs, males tend to be larger than females. It takes about one year for a Golden Retriever to reach its full height and about two years to reach a mature weight.
As you can see in this chart, there can be a lot of size variation among Goldens as they grow and develop into adults.