Saturday, March 23, 2024
HomeUpdatesGolden Retriever 8 Weeks Old

Golden Retriever 8 Weeks Old

- Advertisement -

Q& a: Why Can’t My Dog Stand On His Back Legs

Successfully crate trained my 8 week old golden retriever puppy within three days

Also within this period, the nose and ears of this special breed grow out . You may even notice that at a point, the Golden Retrievers front legs will appear shorter than the hind legs. But it will soon normalize, and an irregular pace of growth is normal.

Golden Retrievers grow very quickly within their second six months. During this time, the puppy’s joints and bones become vulnerable. Avoid anything that will exert too much pressure on the dog’s joints, such as long walks, abrupt stops while running, and bounding down the stairs. If the dog must be allowed to come down the stairs, assist it with a leash.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Not all puppies will follow the growth chart at an exact speed. There can be a lot of diverse reasons for this. The growth chart can alert you should there be significant differences. However, even good owners can have skinny dogs. The Golden Retriever growth charts can alert you to the common causes of slow growth.

Occasionally it comes down to a change in the dog diet. Ensure your dog likes his food and that he eats frequently. Request your veterinarian to rule out worms or any other condition.

In the meantime, rest assured knowing that most puppies do well when they are raised by a loving and caring owner who has a good relationship with a trusted veterinarian and spends a lot of pleasant time with the puppy.

To ascertain if your puppy is large, small, or average-sized for his or her age, you will first find the correct chart based on the sex of your puppy. Scroll down until you locate your puppy’s age on the left side of the table.

Then compare your dog weight with each column subsequently to that age. If the weight of your puppy is identical or very close to the LARGEST column, consider your puppy big for his age. If your dog weight is closer to the SMALLEST column, your dog is on the smaller side of his or her age. The same is true if the weight is near the AVERAGE column.

What Does This Have To Do With How I Train My Golden Retriever Puppy

Its a fair question actually. But there is a logic as to why knowing the context might help you train your Golden Retriever better:

PRO TIP: Golden Retrievers can struggle with frustration sometimes, especially during training sessions, and may start to mouth at you when theyre feeling angsty. If your puppys silly switch goes off and they become mouthy or jumpy during a training session, this means its time for a break.

Shift to some play, and revisit training later we want training to be associated with fun, and not something they begin to dread.

Recommended Reading: Best Blow Dryer For Golden Retriever

English Cream Golden Retriever Puppies From Newborn To 8 Weeks Old

This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

It happens way too fast! Puppies are born then puppies are off to their new homes.

Its now been a couple of weeks since we said goodbye to the last pup from our litter of English Cream Golden Retriever Puppies.

Our little golden puppy, Charlie moved to Seattle and started working with Cascade Service Dogs to continue his journey to become a service dog

Lets turn back the clock to the end of 2017.

It was early Friday morning

QUICK RECOMMENDATION: If youre thinking about getting a puppy we recommend first reading Puppies for Dummies. Its a great book that will help you on every step of your journey raising and training a puppy.

Week 5 Poop Wars Begin

Golden Retriever Puppy photo shoot, 8 weeks old â Snake River Golden ...

Without Raven cleaning up the mess its much more difficult to keep the whelping box clean.

Enter the Poop Wars Phase!

If youve never had a litter of puppies before then you probably dont know about the Poop Wars.

Basically, after a good nights sleep, you will walk out to the whelping box, but notice a particularly poopie smell.

When you arrive at the whelping box you do not just find poop on the groundnoyou find it smeared all over the walls, on fur, on heads, stuck in paws, and sometimes while bathing youll dig some poop out of ears.

Yeah, not the most exciting part of raising a litter of pups.

Read Also: When Will My Golden Retriever Calm Down

Husbandry Tasks To Do This Week

  • Brushing your puppy: Theres nothing better than a good scratch for Golden Retrievers. If you introduce them to brushing in the right way, brushing will feel like the next best thing from your own scratches. Some of their long feathers under their belly need some combing since they can get quite knotty, so its worth starting this off when theyre young.

Week 4 Eat Sleep Poop & Play

We start to see some real interaction in week 4 as puppies start to show some spunk and play with each other.

This is around the time we start noticing the poop piling up.

For the first 4 weeks, Raven cleans up most of the poopie messes. This is around the time we cut her off from her poop supply.

Week 4 is also around the time we start working on crate training our puppies. This gives them a head start before they go to their forever homes.

Also Check: Golden Retriever Mixes For Sale

How Much Sleep Do 8

Eight-week-old Golden Retrievers need around 18 hours of sleep each day.

Good sleep helps your puppys brain and body develop properly.

Oftentimes, a puppy that is wild and bitey is in fact overly tired and in need of a nap.

It may seem like they need more exercise to drain that crazy energy, but they actually need sleep.

Using crates and pens can help ensure that your puppy is getting enough sleep at night and throughout the day.

Many two-month-old Goldens are not good at putting themselves down for a nap, even when they really need it.

So, you may need to step in and help your puppy settle in for some sleep.

Make sure that their crate or pen is nice and comfy before you put them in for a nap, so they are more able to relax and fall asleep.

Every puppy is different, so yours may prefer a nice cushy bed, or they may actually like laying on the bare floor.

You can take note of what kinds of surfaces your puppy lays on around the house and then recreate that in the crate or pen.

Covering the crate or pen with a blanket can also help make sleep easier for a two-month-old puppy, as it cuts down on the visual stimulation.

Products like Adaptil spray or diffuser, and the Snuggle Puppy toy can also help a puppy settle in for sleep.

When you see your puppy plopping down for a nap, or if theyve been up for a while and its time for rest, gently pick them up and put them in their pen or crate.

Playing Classical music can also help a puppy feel more calm and able to sleep.

Are Golden Retriever Puppies Easy To Train

8 Week Old Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden Retriever puppies are easy to train to basic or advanced obedience standards. They enjoy physical activity and have many favorable traits as a gundog bred to retrieve downed game birds. They are friendly and gentle and often train as assistance or detection dogs due to their easy trainability.

Apart from starting training while young, other breed-specific reasons make training a Golden Retriever puppy easy. Here are three examples:

  • Golden Retrievers are among the smartest dog breeds. In his book, The Intelligence of Dogs, canine psychologist Stanley Coren ranks Goldens fourth of the brightest working dogs. So, even at just two months old, your puppy has it in his genes to learn and execute commands.
  • To perform their original hunting job of retrieving felled ducks and other game birds in the Scottish marshland, Golden Retrievers had to be watchful, eager, and energetic. These are primary learning attributes.
  • Golden Retrievers also have advanced skills as gundogs. They can interpret and respond to their hunters body language, such as gesturing and pointing and easily understand human voice commands. They also have to excel at obedience. These are core training requirements that make your Golden Retriever easy to train.

To succeed in your training mission, however, there are specific principles you need to follow. Read about these key training standards in the next section.

Also Check: How Often Should You Groom Your Golden Retriever

What Age Should You Begin Training Your 8 Week Old Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden Retriever training is best done early. But how young should they be? 8 week Golden Retriever puppies should begin training as soon as they are brought home, usually around two months. This doesnt mean that adult dogs or older dogs cant train. It just means that dogs are easier to train when they are young because they are more open to learning and more eager to learn.

Recent research has shown that 8 week old Golden puppies can learn faster. They quickly opened a box filled with food and could remember the skills for up to an hour. These puppies were able to understand the task much faster than their mothers.

Research has shown that socialization and teaching dogs new skills can help improve their behavior. A study revealed that puppies attending a one-hour command and socialization class received better responses to strangers than adult dogs in the same class.

The Cost Of Buying A Puppy Vs An Older Dog

Age is certainly a factor in your decision. With adult dogs, you dont have to do the work of raising them. The downside is that it can be harder for them to overcome previous habits and learn new ones. Older dogs tend to be more set in their ways in terms of behavior and personality.

With puppies, it does take more responsibility and effort to raise them correctly, but the rewards are like nothing else. Because you and your family are in complete control of shaping their behavior and personality, you can raise your golden retriever puppy to be the perfect companion. There are also other things you can teach your new puppy like the boundaries of your home . That way, as they grow up, your puppy will truly become a member of your family.

Don’t Miss: Golden Retrievers For Sale In Southern California

Proper Nutrition And The Danger Associated With Growing Too Quickly

Dog growth occurs in spurts and depends on the individualno dog will exactly match the averages in the following charts. However, in general, you are looking for slow growth. There are dangers associated with your dog growing too quickly. These risks include bone disease and arthritis and occur more often in large breeds such as Golden Retrievers.

Growing too quickly is caused by overfeeding and low-quality food. When you read the ingredients on your puppy’s dog food, the first ingredient should be some type of animal protein. If your puppy looks like it is gaining fat, cut back on the food.

In the following growth charts, the smallest and largest puppy weights are there to illustrate the wide range of Golden Retriever sizes. However, remember, bigger is not always better! Aim to keep your dog looking healthy and fit.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Golden Retriever Puppy Growth And Development

My gorgeous golden retriever tiffany! � Only 8 weeks old : aww
In this article, well take an in-depth look at Golden Retriever puppy growth from 8 weeks to adulthood.
If youre a proud new Golden Retriever owner, this is an exciting time.
Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions.
Well look at how much a Golden Retriever puppy should weigh and the impact of nutrition on puppy growth.
Well also cover how you can determine if your Golden is too fat or too thin to ensure your puppy is as healthy as possible.

When Do Golden Retrievers Stop Growing?

Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks.

When theyre 12 to 16 weeks old, theyll look less puppy-like and start to resemble how theyll appear as an adult.

From 3 to 6 months, your pup will grow so quickly, it may seem like hes changing every single day.

This period of rapid growth will slow down by the time theyre 6 months old.

Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall.

Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall on average.

When Will My Golden Retriever Stop Growing?

At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height.

Golden Retrievers typically reach their full height by the time theyre one year old.

However, they may not fill out and reach their full weight until theyre roughly 18 months of age.

Small Parents

Read Also: Are Golden Retriever Puppies Easy To Train

What Are Golden Retriever Retrievers Bred For

Heres a few fun facts to start us off. Distinctly British, the 1st Baron of Tweedmouth developed the breed crossing his golden coloured retrieving dog Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel these look similar to Irish Water Spaniels. The cross resulted in a dog that was comfortable being on land and water , and robust enough to hunt goose, partridge and even deer. Retrieving is the main reason they were bred for, I guess the Baron didnt feel like getting his prey himself.

If youre curious for more, check out the story behind your Golden puppy with the American Kennel Club.

How To Potty Train An 8 Week Old Golden Retriever

Your Golden Retriever will definitely leave those little packages around the house if you dont teach him where to potty, and they are not a pleasant sight or smell!

To potty train an 8-week-old Golden Retriever, create a separate area where you want your puppy to go, establish a routine, and start with hourly potty breaks. Supervise your puppy at all times, learn to spot the signs, and never punish him after an accident. Give lots of rewards and praise when he goes.

When housetraining your Golden Retriever, there are certain things that you shouldnt do.

Learn Common Dog Housetraining Mistakes In This Video

  • Dont give your pup too much freedom early on. Keep him on a leash, or when you cant supervise him, in a crate, playpen, or a puppy-proofed room.
  • Dont expect your Golden Retriever to let you know when he needs to go! Many new dog owners fall for this your puppy has to learn to tell you he needs the toilet.
  • Make sure you take your puppy outside often enough. Stick to your schedule!
  • Dont expect your dog to generalize too quickly. He wont automatically know that the whole house is a no-go area. It is a gradual process for him to grasp this.
  • Dont rely on correcting your puppy too much instead of teaching him. You should learn to anticipate when your Golden Retriever needs to go its not his fault if he has an accident, but yours!
  • Dont have unrealistic expectations. It may take a few weeks to master potty training, not days!
  • Also Check: Golden Retriever Puppies Tyler Tx

    How Does Neutering/spaying Affect My Dogs Growth

    Spaying or neutering your dog has its pros and cons. The pros are fairly obvious: less marking, reduced misbehavior, and zero chance of getting an unexpected litter of puppies.

    Spaying and neutering can also protect against certain cancers. Dogs cant get testicular cancer or uterine cysts if those parts have been removed, after all.

    The cons arent as widely publicized, however. Theres some evidence that fixing your dog too early can increase the risk of hip dysplasia and other skeletal issues. You may want to wait until your dog is at least 12 months old before getting them fixed.

    Spaying/neutering often delays the closure of your dogs growth plates, which can result in them growing slightly taller than they otherwise would. This also leaves the window open longer in which they can suffer skeletal damage, though, so be careful about how active you allow them to be.

    How Much To Feed An 8

    Golden Retriever Puppy 8 Weeks Old (Mesa)

    Its important that you feed your pup the right amount so that they dont become overweight and develop health problems because goldens are prone to overeating.

    Most 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppies should be eating around half a cup of food three times a day.

    This is dependent on a number of factors, such as your pups activity levels and the food youre feeding them. So, talk to your vet for a specific amount.

    Theres no concrete rule about feeding puppies, other than that they need frequent meals.

    You do need to make sure that youre feeding your puppy the right type of food. They need high-quality puppy food. Dont feed your puppy adult dog food because it doesnt contain the right nutrients to support growth and development.

    For more about what to feed your pup, check out our article about the Best Puppy Food for Golden Retrievers.

    Your golden puppy will probably quickly devour any food you place in front of them. It can be a good idea to buy a slow feeder bowl or toys that dispense food to slow them down a bit while also giving them some mental stimulation and making mealtime fun.

    Don’t Miss: Golden Retriever Rescue Of Southwest Florida

    RELATED ARTICLES
    - Advertisment -

    Most Popular

    - Advertisment -