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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Golden retriever advice on everything!

39 replies

Pinkbear · 10/10/2012 16:36

Hi there
Have a cocker lab cross who's 3 and lost our pure lab at 15 at the beggining of the year

Have seen a local breeder has golden retriever puppies

I'm wondering about how others have found temperament as appears to the lab are they simalar dogs how are they wih children

As a dog owner already I already do walks etc... And know the drill wih puppies

I basically need to know am I crazy to consider it? I've always planed o get another lab at some point but alway thought retrievers are really beautiful dogs and I've never sent them advertised locally before

OP posts:

greeneyed · 12/10/2012 08:21

Oh midori what an amazing offer, I'd pay YOu if you could do that :) this thread had made me realise we need to probably at least try to address some of his "issues"

Bramblesinafield · 12/10/2012 08:54

Green eyed, our wonderful boys give and give but they need boundaries as much as the children and husbands we worked from a great book called 'the culture clash' which we still use now. We also went to a local well recommended trainer, who works on the reward system - using incentives suited to each breed. We're going back soon to do our next level. I'm sure you and your boy will enjoy the interaction and mental stimulation of more training.

My boy has gone from high school drop out to Navy Seal in terms of his compliance now he knows I have bits of chicken rather than cheese. Just don't tell the 8 chickens at the end of the garden! Can't wait to see how he performs out in the fields later today.

hoodoo12345 · 12/10/2012 13:18

I have a Goldie Bitch (Willow) she is almost two now, and she is wonderful,
very friendly with everyone and calm in the house.
For the first year though she completely trashed my garden with digging the lawn up and ripping chunks out of the hedge, she is a lot better now, just the occasional twig or two!

Bramblesinafield · 12/10/2012 20:26

Ah yes, my lawn ...

GingerWrath · 12/10/2012 20:37

Waves at Midori! I had a rescued golden retriever called Ernie. He was the most laid back, insanely friendly dog ever. He had a liking for all things smelly, especially fox poo, but he loved us and accepted when I had my daughter. We had to have him PTS at 14 when all his organs were failing.

We now have a 9 month old black lab....just as daft as Ernie, but stupid with it!

castlelough · 12/10/2012 22:59

Ooh I want a Golden Retriever. Just have to wait til I move out of our rented accommodation and into our own house! Can't wait!
DH has always had dogs growing up, but for me it will be my first (despite coveting a dog for the past 30 years!) and I think they found like a lovely breed for a beginner.
Will be living on a farm, plenty of space and lots of walking!

Phacelia · 14/10/2012 19:32

Can I jump on this thread and ask if people think I would cope with a GR?

I am desperate for one, desperate but I won't get one if my research tells me it's not right for me.

I have a disability; I would be able to walk the dog for an hour/maybe longer most days (thanks to a speedy mobility scooter and lots of local disabled friendly walks which go for miles). But I'm not well enough to do 2 walks a day every day. I live in an area with lots of dog walkers so I'm hoping perhaps I could offer to walk someone's dog a couple of days a week if they end up taking mine out on the others, but obviously haven't asked anyone yet so have no idea if anyone would even be amenable to that. I have a lovely long garden (last owners had an Alsation which I know loved playing ball in the garden) so if it couldn't have a second walk a day I could throw a ball for 20 mins so it could run around; but is that enough?

My ideal dog would be a rescue GR of about 6 or 7 which isn't massively energetic. But it seems there aren't many GRs in resues (but then I haven't called any breed specific rescues, there might be more than I think). I'm just so eager to find a way to have one of these gorgeous dogs, and of course a different breed would still be lovely if I can't find a way to make it work, having owned other dogs in my life, but it wouldn't be the same.

greeneyed · 14/10/2012 22:30

Phacelia, the length of walking and one a day would be fine for my dog who is 5. That said I would not recommend him to someone less mobile just down to the size and strength of the animal - he pulled our last dog walker over and can be incredibly difficult to hold back if he wants to get to something, in addition consider that the dog will often need hosing and towelling after a walk (something they may resist) lifting into a car (when they are older and less mobile themselves), dragging into the vets or wherever they are frightened to go etc etc. Now clearly mine isn't a great example and some retrivers are assistance dogs so I'd say it's possible but you'd need to do a lot of research about the individual dog and it's traing

greeneyed · 14/10/2012 22:33

Should say training

Phacelia · 16/10/2012 11:55

Thank you greeneyed I have to confess that hosing/drying the dog after a walk might be pretty exhausting for me. I do get really tired doing any repetitive movements.

I guess in terms of holding a dog back I could tie the lead to my scooter?

I think I need to find a local owner who might let me accompany them on a walk, and so I can see the reality for myself and have a go and being in charge of one on the lead etc.

midori1999 · 16/10/2012 22:10

Phacelia, regarding walking, I cannot see any problem if the dog is trained to walk properly to heel. My dogs are trained to walk to heel both on and off the leads and they never pull, even if they get excited/see something. he lead is just a 'formality' of sorts really. Plus, you could always use a halti or similar just to be absolutely sure. However, my 16 month old can hold my dog's leads, they are trained to voice commands. You may be able to find a rescue already trained like this or you may be able to get help to train one.

I do think it would be wise in your situation to consider a dog walker so all eventualities are covered.

If you look on the Golden Retriever breed club websites you will find the breed rescues run by the breed clubs and these may be able to help you.

greeneyed · 16/10/2012 22:40

You might also want to try guidedogs for the blind for dogs who don't pass the training, though I understand there is quite a waiting list for these! Midori where in the country are you based?

midori1999 · 17/10/2012 10:41

I am in Scotland at the moment Greeneyed, but we do move around a bit due to my DH's job.

greeneyed · 17/10/2012 10:52

Oh okay that's a bit far away to ask you for some training sessions :) Any books or methods you recommend? I have been going back to basics this week with my boy out with some cheese in my pocket and he will do anything for a bit of cheese, perfect as puppy school a few years ago so I don't have an issue with basic commands - my problems are he will do nothing if he does not first establish there is something in it for him. He is atrocious when people come to the house, jumping on them and barking incessantly for attention for about 10 minutes. He steels food when out and about and will move heaven and earth to get to any food item even when on lead. He will lunge at and bark aggressively at dogs on lead or behind gates again with a speed and tenacity that could pull you over. - The leave command would be so good to master however I just don't know if I'll ever be able to override his manic craving for food. Would any amount of training stop him trying with all his will to get that piece of toast in the hedgerow? Even the vets said I probably wouldn't be able to overide this instinct with him.

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