How To Avoid Littermate Syndrome
As mentioned previously, littermate syndrome is not a guaranteed outcome if you do bring home two puppies.
In fact, its not uncommon for responsible Golden Retriever breeders to keep a couple of puppies from a litter, yet typically breeders do not experience littermate syndrome.
So, it can be done, but its not easy.
Even professional trainers who get two puppies at once will tell you that it is a ton of work, and you should fully understand what youre getting into before you agree to two puppies.
The idea that bringing home two puppies will make your job as their owner easier could not be more wrong.
Properly training, socializing and raising two puppies at the same time is double the work.
The obvious solution to preventing littermate syndrome is to only bring home one puppy.
Life with a single Golden Retriever puppy is plenty busy and you completely avoid the risks associated with littermate syndrome.
Youll have much more time to bond with your puppy and teach them all they need to know to enjoy a happy life together.
But if you are set on getting two puppies and fully understand the responsibility and risk associated with this, or you already have two, here are some ways that you can prevent littermate syndrome from happening with your pair of pups.
Neutering Can Cause A Golden Retriever To Develop Health Problems
Researchers at the University of California have found that neutering has detrimental effects on Golden Retrievers, raising the dogs risk of developing joint injuries and cancer. In this article, Dr. Karen Becker talks about alternative strategies for preventing your dog from breeding, such as vasectomy or tubal ligation.
If you own a Golden Retriever, you need pet insurance to cover a wide variety of health problems, in addition to injuries. This may raise your daily expenses, but its generally a smart investment, as Goldens is among the most expensive breeds in terms of veterinary costs, with an estimate of $961 a year.
Adding A Second Dog To Your Home
Now lets take a look at the second option: starting with one Golden and then later on adding another to your family.
This is generally a better way to go about it if you want to have two Golden Retrievers.
It allows you time to fully bond with your first dog and focus on their training and socialization before you get a second.
Typically, things will go more smoothly by getting the two dogs with some time in between, but there are certainly considerations to keep in mind to set everyone up for success from the start.
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Make Your Home Safe For Your Golden Retriever Puppy
An essential part of preparing for a new dog is to puppy-proof your home and yard before you bring your pooch to the house.
Youll need to make your home safe for a puppy and then keep it safe as your puppy becomes a dog because even older dogs get curious about things like the trash and get into trouble if you make it easy for them to do so.
Make sure your dog cant reach any electric cords, remove items from low tables where your puppy might reach them, and put away anything vital that you think might harm your dog.
Here are a few other items youll need for your golden retriever at your home:
- #4 Puppy padsWhile not everybody feels the need to buy these, they can come in handy while you are potty training your dog. If you have an especially lovely carpet, it might be a wise idea.
- #5 Puppy toysPuppies require several different types of toys to keep them busy. Chew toys are essential because your puppy will need to chew while teething. Your puppy can learn what is proper to chew and chew toys can help keep your puppy from chewing on your items. Make sure you buy the right size of toys for your golden retriever puppy. You dont want to purchase tiny toys that your dog might choke on.
- #6 Travel harnessYoull want this while you are riding with your dog in the car.
- #7 Baby gatesIf you want to keep your puppy out of individual rooms in your house, a baby gate will be an idea.
Preparations For Bringing Your Dog Home
If you decide to bring a new dog home, you will need to make adjustments before you bring the new family member home.
While there is a whole load of things you can do in preparation, here are the topmost.
Items You Need to Buy
You will need to purchase items associated with dog usage. Some of these items include but not limited to dog feed, feeding bowl, leash and harness/collar, ID tags, bedding, crate, brushes, shampoo, tooth accessories, treats, and toys.
Dog-proofing Your Home
Your new puppy will be in a new environment, and it needs to be friendly. Keeping away items will not only keep your dog safe but will also prevent the destruction of the object in question.
Some of the things you can do include moving chewable items, securing your garden, moving electrical cords, securing medicines and garbage bins.
Have Routines in Place
Your new furryfriend will need to fit into a daily cycle. Have that in place before buying one. This includes toilet training sessions, meal times, and daily walks. This way, it will be easier for both of you to adapt.
Learn Dog Training Skills
Dog training is not as easy as it may sound therefore, waiting for your dog to get home then you start training might produce frustrating results. Prepare beforehand, especially if it is your first dog. Learning about positive reinforcement methods will be beneficial to your dogsince it will learn faster in addition to looking forward to training sessions.
Preparing Your Car
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Is This The Right Dog For You
Exercise Needs
HIGH: Golden Retrievers can be prone to obesity, so yours will need rigorous daily exercise.
The dogs are active and energetic, and they need this regular physical activity to stay healthy. A lack of exercise can also lead to chewing or behavioral difficulties.
Grooming Needs
MEDIUM: The Golden Retrievers water-repellant double coat sheds seasonally, so youll need to brush yours regularly.
Experts recommend brushing these dogs at least twice a week, or more often as needed in the warmer months.
Golden Retrievers long fur shows dirt pretty easily, so bathe yours as needed. Check and clean the ears weekly and trim the nails, too.
Health Problems
HIGH: Golden Retrievers are prone to experiencing a long list of health problems, but theres no guarantee your dog will suffer any of these conditions.
Theyre One Of The Uks Most Popular Breeds Of Dog But How Much Do You Know About The Sweet
The last 18 months have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership rise by nearly eight per cent over 2020.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, theres plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
Theres even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Corens book The Intelligence of Dogs ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of peoples canine wishlists is the Golden Retriever they were one of the UKs 10 most popular dog breeds in 2020 and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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They Have Powerful Noses
One of the reasons Golden Retrievers are used for tasks such as drug-detection and search and rescue is because of their keen sense of smell.
Golden Retrievers have a tendency to follow their nose, so for their own safety, they should not be allowed to roam freely.
A bored Golden will use their intelligence to entertain themselves.
How Much Does A Golden Retriever Puppy Cost
You can expect to pay a price of $1,200 to $4,000 for one Golden Retriever pup.
But even when looking for purebred puppies for sale, be careful of breeders who are in it for the money, especially if youre interested in a popular breed.
Aside from the breeder, the cost of a puppy will also depend on the kennels location, the parents bloodline, and the number of pups available.
For reference, a Golden Retrievers average litter size is between 5 to 10 puppies.
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They Are Prone To Waxy Ears
Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers are prone to waxy ears. This tends to be a result of poor air circulation due to their long ears.
Although it is not always the case, waxy ears can be the symptom of a more serious problem, such as an infection or mites. If left untreated or if not treated correctly and consistently, ear problems can become chronic and affect the dog’s quality of life.
The most common cause of ear infections in Golden Retrievers is yeast. After swimming or bathing, take the time to dry your dog’s ears. Effort should also be made to keep ears clean. There are solutions available for purchase or that you can make at home that, in addition to cleaning and soothing your Golden Retriever’s ears, will also change the pH level, creating an environment yeast should not thrive in.
Be careful Goldens will eat almost anything that resembles food, regardless of whether or not it is good for them.
Show Dog Vs Field Dog Variant
Aside from the Golden Retriever types, there are also differences between Goldies who are bred for the field to those who are bred to be show dogs.
Field dogs have a sleeker appearance. Theyre more aloof with family members but are considered more intelligent.
Theyre also smaller with less lavish coats because theyre more active since theyre meant to work. They sometimes come in a mahogany color, like the Red Golden Retriever.
Show dog Goldens are basically the prettier version since they are bred for the ring or conformation events. They look more like teddy bears when compared to field-bred Goldies.
They have the signature blocky heads and are generally more heavy set.
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The Most Expensive Golden Retrievers
Its also worth mentioning that the prices for a well-trained Golden Retriever, suitable for being a service dog, would be much higher. How much, exactly? Even 25,000 dollars.
The high price is another reason why you should be careful when choosing your dog. Ask the breeder about the dogs medical history and even if you could meet the parents of your future pet. A professional breeder should not consider those requests as unreasonable. If he does, it may be a warning sign.
Golden Retrievers Are Intelligent
It is said that they are the fourth most intelligent dog breed. This is good and bad. Good because you can train them easily especially the basic commands. Bad because left on their own without training, they will find their own ways to do things that you may not want or things that could be dangerous for them.
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Create A Sleeping Area
Youll need to make sure you make a sleeping area for your dog. Even if your dog starts to prefer sleeping on the bed with you and you are okay with that, youll still want to give your dog its safe sleeping area thats all its own. Thats usually where a crate comes in handy.
If you purchase a crate, youll want to make sure its big enough for your golden retriever so it can stand up and turn around inside of the box.
Crates not only provide an excellent place to sleep but come in handy when crate training and potty training. Many owners also purchase dog beds to put inside the crates or to put on the floor for the dogs when they dont get to sleep in the bed with their owners.
To create a sleeping area for your dog, here are some products youll need:
- #8 BeddingYoull want to make sure your puppy has a soft bed to sleep on at night. Its up to you if you wish to a puppy-sized one or a larger one that your dog will grow into later.
- #9 Dog crateMany owners choose to crate train their puppies. If you want to do that, youll need to buy the right size crate. Its a good idea to purchase one that is big enough for your golden retriever when it is fully grown, and use dividers for now to alternate the size.
Plan Out Your Yard
Besides an invisible gate or some kind of physical gate, heres what youll want to have for your new golden retriever puppy while it plays in your yard:
Be Ready for Walks
Here is what youll need to take your dog on walks:
Are Golden Retrievers Good With Kids
Golden retrievers are great with kids.
Theyre sweet, playful dogs that love being part of a family.
They have the ability to be soft and gentle around babies and toddlers, but can also play rough and tumble with older kids, adults, and other dogs, too.
And in addition to golden retrievers being good with kids, they can also be good for kids!
Growing up with a dog can teach your child responsibility, as well as provide them with an ever-present best friend.
But are they just perfect family dogs?
Is there anything to watch out for?
Lets dive into that a little more
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Best Toys For Golden Retriever Puppies
There are four types of dog toys:
Chew Toys
Chew toys are toys that are made of hard substances like rubber, nylon, or natural ingredients like beef tendons.
These are toys that satisfy dogs natural urge to chew.
Some examples of chew toys are Nylabone toys, Kong toys, and bully sticks.
to learn more about the best puppy chew toys.
Dental Toys
Dental toys are very similar to chew toys in that theyre hard and made for chewing, but the difference is that they have more ridges and knobs on them made to scrape plaque off of your dogs teeth.
One example is this bone from Nylabone.
Plush Toys
Plush toys are stuffed animals or characters, often with a squeaker inside.
Your puppy will love to run around the house with these toys in their mouth, tossing them in the air and shaking them.
One word of caution with these toys is that your Golden Retriever will likely tear them apart easily, so dont let them play with them unsupervised, and dont leave them in the crate with them.
Oliver loves this Gumby plush toy.
Getting A Golden Retriever
Do plenty of research before you get a Golden Retriever. Make sure you have the knowledge and dedication to give to these sweet natured dogs to keep them happy and the time and space to exercise them. While they make great family pets, make sure you are absolutely ready to take on the commitment of getting a dog first.
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Why A Golden Retriever Might Not Be Right For Your Family
Although golden retrievers make great pets, theyre not right for every family.
Here are some reasons that goldens might not be good for your family:
Golden retrievers are boisterous puppies
As puppies, goldens are energetic and excitable, and a crying baby or bumbling toddler can get them riled up.
Of course, the toddler and puppy phases will go by quick, so take this with a grain of salt, but just be aware that while your golden is a puppy theyll require extra supervision around your children.
Golden retrievers have needs, too
Golden retrievers are not exactly low maintenance dogs.
Theyre high energy breeds that need lots of exercise and attention.
A house with kids could be the perfect fit for a golden, but if youre always away at soccer practice, or always changing diapers and trying to get the kids to sleep, it may be tough to attend to the needs of your golden retriever too.
All You Need To Know About Golden Retriever Puppies
Are you looking to get yourself a golden retriever puppy?
If so, there are a few things you should know before you get your furry friend home and settled in.
Every dog breed has its own pros and cons, and Golden Retrievers arent an exception to this rule. So, you should you as much as you can about these sweet, affectionate, intelligent and fast learning puppies before getting them.
In this blog post, I will share everything that you need to know about Golden Retriever puppiesfrom nutrition to grooming.
So, lets get started, shall we?
Lets begin.
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Other Tasks To Do Before You Bring Your Puppy Home
So you have everything you need and your house is puppy-proofed.
Thats it, right?
Not exactly.
Heres a quick list of some final things to do to better prepare yourself for when you bring your new puppy home.
Find a vet.
Youll definitely want to bring your puppy to the vet within the first day or two of bringing them home so that they can be thoroughly checked out and get on track for their vaccines.
Find the closest emergency animal hospital.
This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan.
Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals.
Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid.
Set up the puppys crate and water bowls.
The last thing you want to do is bang around a large crate and scare your new puppy as youre trying to figure out how to set it up.
Find a puppy kindergarten class.
This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent.
Check your yard or house for any escape routes.
Before you bring home your puppy is a great time to fix that hole underneath the fence