How To Crate Train A Golden Retriever Puppy
Crate training is an essential element of potty training, but it also comes with benefits for your Golden Retrievers safety and comfort when he is alone.
To crate train a Golden Retriever puppy, get him used to the crate by letting him explore it. When he is happy to go in and out freely, introduce treats or feeding inside, and close the door, that way, he associates nice things with his crate. Gradually increase the time he spends inside with the door closed.
Here are seven fundamental principles when crate-training your Golden Retriever:
Raising A Golden Retriever Puppy The Fun Extras
We have wonderful puppy naming resources on this site. In 2016 the Happy Puppy site launched the International Dog Names Survey.
Each year we update our puppy names lists with the latest data on dog name popularity for different breeds and in different parts of the world. So youll find heaps of inspiration.
We even have a puppy names list devoted entirely to Golden Retrievers. Dont forget to add your puppy name to the survey once you have made your final choice!
Another fun part of raising a Golden puppy is the toys and games you can play with them. Here are some guides that will show you our favorite dog toys. We bet your puppy will love them too!
Now, were fully prepared for our new Golden puppy. What happens after they come home?
Are You Supposed To Trim Golden Retrievers
Yes, you are supposed to trim your golden retriever but only on the ears, neck, tail, and feet, They shouldnt have a full haircut and never shave your golden retriever even in hot weather and you should groom them regularly.
If you do live somewhere thats hot, there are other ways to cool down your dog. You can learn how to help your golden retriever adapt to hot weather here.
Don’t Miss: How Often To Bathe A Golden Retriever
Other Benefits Of Crate Training Dogs
There are many benefits for crate training a young Golden Retriever puppy. Using a crate will cut puppy potty training time in half. In addition, using a crate when the dog is not immediately supervised will prevent the puppy from eating or chewing on anything dangerous.
Valuable household furniture and children’s toys will be spared from the dog’s incessant need to chew! The dog will learn which toys are “his” faster because he will associate them with his crate. Crates can also be used in the car, keeping the dog safe during road trips. Driving is much safer when a curious puppy is kept from jumping on the driver’s lap!
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

As a medium to large breed, Golden Retriever puppies carry on growing up to and beyond their first birthday. In fact growth isnt complete until the middle of the second year.
However, those last few months are mainly about filling out and your Golden puppy will have reached close to their maximum height at between 9 and 12 months of age.
You can read all about puppy development stages and puppy growth in our guide:
Its full of fascinating puppy growth facts!
Recommended Reading: How Long Should Golden Retrievers Eat Puppy Food
How To Trim Your Golden Retriever Puppys Claws
The day has finally come. Today, were clipping your puppys claws.
Before you start, heres a couple of important things you need to know:
- In order for this to work, your puppy should be comfortable around the nail clippers. If you see them struggle, go back to the exercise from 2 weeks ago and have a go at it again.
- This one is quite important. Dog claws have a vein running through them this is called the quick. You dont want to cut out puppys claws too short as we will nick the quick and this will bleed. And it looks scary and you wont want to do it again.
- If your puppy has black claws and you are worried about the quick ask your vet or groomer to show you how to cut them.
How to do it
TIPS
Meeting Another Dog: How To Introduce Your Puppy To A New Dog
Its important to socialise puppies when theyre still young to really make sure theyre at their friendliest and kindest with other dogs as adults. In humans or dogs worlds, everybody likes a friendly guy.
A good way to do this is by organising a visit from one of your friends dogs.
PRO TIP: The other dog should be friendly with puppies, and up to date with their vaccinations!
How to do it
PRO TIP
We know that all you may want is to let loose in some off lead play. But lets not get ahead of ourselves, keep the adult dog on lead for now there will be plenty of time to play later on. Dont worry youre not being a Debbie Downer, youre just making sure your puppy is safe, and is able to go one step at a time!
You May Like: Golden Retriever Tail
Grooming Your Golden Retriever
Weight Loss Food For A Golden Retriever
Since your Golden Retriever loves eating, it is more likely to get obese. And although obesity results from overeating, you cant starve your pet. Can you?
Thus, there are some foods in the market to help a Golden Retriever in weight loss. Along with this, they also provide all the essential nutrients for your pet to keep functioning. Thus, they are:
- Kidney and liver disease
- Digestive disorders
Furthermore, I hope this article helped you in making an effective diet plan for your Golden Retriever.
Summing up, Golden Retriever is an expensive and high-maintenance dog breed. So, it needs constant attention, care, and love. Thus, you must be very conscious while parenting this breed.
Besides this, food plays a critical part in strengthening your bond with your pal. Moreover, if you manage to give your pet healthy and adequate food, it loves and adores you. Hence, you should ensure your pal gets all the essential nutrients in enough quantity.
However, you might give your pal more food due to its pleading attribute and a contagious smile that may lead to obesity. Thus, be careful not be overfeed them.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article, and it was informative enough to help you get closer to your pal.
If you have any suggestions, please share them through comments.
Read Also: English Canadian And American Golden Retriever
Supplies To Bring With You To Puppy
Leash and Collar
First of all, bring a leash and a collar. Most families live too far to bring their puppy home without needing the leash and collar for at least one potty break.
Crate
Secondly, youll need to bring a crate for the trip home.
If you will be flying, bring a soft sided carrier . If you are traveling alone or will be in your vehicle for more than an hour, bring a 24 inch wire crate . Many families fly in and out of the Atlanta airport with our puppies. We suggest these families bring both a soft-sided carrier as well as a small wire crate.
The soft-sided crate is necessary for a flight. However, it is far too small for a puppy to be comfortable in it without a persons occasional intervention. It works fine for air travel where you can often take your puppy out after take-off and before landing. At the very least, you can stick your hand in the carrier to pet him. If you are driving, you wont be able to adequately tend to your puppy in such a small carrier.
The wire crate is very inexpensive and is worth the extra purchase even if you leave it behind you in your rental car before entering the airport. If you dont have a wire crate, make sure you bring a second person with you to care for the puppy while you drive. Try to keep stress out of the trip as much as possible. A wire crate will help you to accomplish just that.
Food, Water, a Bowl, and a Bully Stick
Training Bag
A Phone to Video Puppy Information Given By Breeder and/or Trainer
Blocking Off Designated Areas
You may find that you need to block certain areas of your house to prevent your puppy from escaping out of rooms or falling down stairs. This can be a great way for your pup to get familiar with their set locations and it wont be long before they make themselves comfortable.
You may already have a name for your pup, but for me, this wasnt the case so I did a little digging to give you a little help with choosing a name if you havent already.
Don’t Miss: Feeding A Golden Retriever Puppy
Preparing For Golden Retriever Puppies
In less than a week Tina is going to have her puppies. We are starting all the preparations for the birthing process. We have all our towels, blankets, pen, food, and so on. Its getting exciting around the house. We are making plans for Alice to stay with family for a few days. She is not used to being away from Tina. So it will be a unsettling situation for her Im sure.
Johanna, our daughter, is only 3. We got to teach her a little bit about the process. She was able to feel Tinas belly and feel the puppies kick. I wish I had recorded her reaction when she finally felt them. I did get a video later on, but it wasnt a precious as her first time feeling them. I think she finally understands that there are puppies inside. She loves her Alice, so Im sure shell love these little ones. I know she is going to have a hard time letting these little ones go when the time comes. She has been around many puppies at her grandmas, but she wasnt attached, nor old enough really to understand the process.
Alice is growing up as well. She is in her so called ugly stage. However, she is still really cute. Ive been working on her leash training more. Since weve declined on Tinas activity, it has given me a chance to walk Alice by herself. I found out that she is scared of the dark when walking her last night. Hopefully shell overcome that soon. I am posting a photo of Alice. She is 4 months old today.
4 Month Old Golden Retriever
Safety First Starting With A Collar And Leash

Before we jump into some of the more hands-on tips, we want to spend some time on safety. Safety always needs to come first, and its not just about your safety. Before training your golden, its important to spend some time on things that will make both of you feel safe, like a leash and collar.
To begin, make sure your golden has a comfortable collar. There are many options to choose from but it needs to fit comfortably around its neck. The collar acts as an anchor for other training techniques, so starting with a collar is a great way to start with safety.
Another safety concern is taking your golden out for walks. If you want your golden to walk without a leash, youre still going to need a leash to get started. So, make sure the leash is comfortable for you and your dog you dont want to strangle them while theyre walking but it should be tight enough to keep them close. Youll know its time to get rid of the leash when your golden no longer tugs at it or decides to run in random directions whenever they see something.
Also Check: When Do Goldendoodles Shed Their Puppy Coat
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.
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.
Recommended Reading: Housebreaking A Puppy In An Apartment