Page 3 | 5 month old golden retriever

solvendie · 2021-03-23T22:17:32+00:00

After much looking we are now going to be the parents of a 5 month old golden retriever. He is coming from a reputable breeder but it is delayed due to the early heart surgery he needed. He has been in a breeder kennel environment so is relatively untrained. I’m just looking for some hints and tips on training a puppy that may be slightly delayed in their development Is there anything I need him to grasp straight away?

BigWolfLittleWolf · 01/04/2021 16:51

Whose puppy isn't nervous in a new house for the first few days??
My pup was strutting around like she owned the place the second she was brought home!
DH has always grown up with dogs and none of them were nervous as puppies brought home either.
ASFAIK none of my friends/families dogs were nervous as puppies.

PuppyMonkey · 01/04/2021 17:01

Good luck with pup OP. We have a GR who was completely bonkers at that age.

How is yours when out on a walk? Ours used to attack me, jumping up and doing play biting. Apparently it’s a bit of a thing with goldens.

Veterinari · 01/04/2021 17:02

[quote Brewdoggydog]@Veterinari OP says he was nervous and alert to household sounds for the first few days but is now comfortable and not bothered by hoover, washing machine etc. Whose puppy isn't nervous in a new house for the first few days?? Sounds perfectly normal to me![/quote]
A puppy that has been properly habituated to household noises and activities.

The fact that you think nervous behaviour is normal probably explains the explosion in behavioural pathologies we're seeing.
It isn't

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 01/04/2021 17:03

It depends on the puppy. My last one has always been ridiculously confident and self-assured. The current one is a different kettle of fish, much more cautious, and she was definitely nervous when she first arrived. I know her mother, who is a very cheerful, willing and confident dog, and I also know her breeder wouldn't have chosen a frightened stud, so it's a either an unforeseen quirk of personality or something she'll outgrow. Given her behaviour on the playing fields today, I'm going with the latter. Even so, I would expect her to be very unconfident if suddenly passed to another home.

In any case, the key thing is that OP's puppy has settled quickly. That indicates an underlying robustness of personality and the capacity to recover from a big change in circumstances.

shallIswim · 01/04/2021 17:16

@PuppyMonkey

Good luck with pup OP. We have a GR who was completely bonkers at that age.

How is yours when out on a walk? Ours used to attack me, jumping up and doing play biting. Apparently it’s a bit of a thing with goldens.

Ours did this too for the first year. Great off lead with fab recall, but put him on a lead and stand to chat to someone and he'd be like an awful demanding toddler, jumping at me and snatching the lead. Fortunately he grew out of that horrid phase (with a little treat encouragement)

Brewdoggydog · 01/04/2021 17:26

@Veterinari I don't think nervous behaviour in puppies is normal and I don't think I'm personally to blame for an explosion in behavioural pathologies (!) Not sure I'd be allowed to foster if that was the case.

What I do think is normal is for a puppy (or older dog) to take a day or two to settle into a new home, especially given this one hasn't spent much time in a house. Of course some puppies will be confident from the off, some won't. If they were still nervous at everything a week later then I'd be concerned, but it's not the case here. OP says her pup has settled and is happy with household sounds, people and other dogs. Of course his personality may change in future, but signs are good so far.

Fwiw, I wouldn't have bought this puppy, but that doesn't mean I think no one else should have if they've thought through the decision as well as the OP did.

Veterinari · 01/04/2021 21:38

[quote Brewdoggydog]@Veterinari I don't think nervous behaviour in puppies is normal and I don't think I'm personally to blame for an explosion in behavioural pathologies (!) Not sure I'd be allowed to foster if that was the case.

What I do think is normal is for a puppy (or older dog) to take a day or two to settle into a new home, especially given this one hasn't spent much time in a house. Of course some puppies will be confident from the off, some won't. If they were still nervous at everything a week later then I'd be concerned, but it's not the case here. OP says her pup has settled and is happy with household sounds, people and other dogs. Of course his personality may change in future, but signs are good so far.

Fwiw, I wouldn't have bought this puppy, but that doesn't mean I think no one else should have if they've thought through the decision as well as the OP did.[/quote]
No one has suggested that you are personally to blame for an explosion in behavioural pathologies

Honestly, it's impossible to have a sensible discussion when posters are determined to create extreme and imaginary scenarios in an attempt to detract from sensible discussion

Original poster

solvendie · 29/05/2021 09:37

I just wanted to give a little update..........

We’ve had puppy for two months now and he is absolutely the perfect dog for us. He’s toilet trained, knows basic commands (sit, lie down, bed, wait). He walks well on lead but sometimes refuses to budge if he doesn’t feel like walking! Great recall (touch) if home in garden. Not chancing recall at the beach and use a longline instead! Calm during the day when we need to work. Plays well with other dogs when arranged and sits to greet people and strange dogs.

We’ll keep on with the training but we’re so happy he’s joined our family

OP posts:

Colourmylife1 · 29/05/2021 23:11

Lovely to read your update. Enjoy your puppy!

Crazymummyto4 · 30/05/2021 04:44

@solvendie

I just wanted to give a little update..........

We’ve had puppy for two months now and he is absolutely the perfect dog for us. He’s toilet trained, knows basic commands (sit, lie down, bed, wait). He walks well on lead but sometimes refuses to budge if he doesn’t feel like walking! Great recall (touch) if home in garden. Not chancing recall at the beach and use a longline instead! Calm during the day when we need to work. Plays well with other dogs when arranged and sits to greet people and strange dogs.

We’ll keep on with the training but we’re so happy he’s joined our family

I am so pleased that it has worked out well for you and hope you and your pup enjoy many happy years together.

Ratatattatpat · 31/05/2021 20:58

He sounds great. I'm very happy to read the update.

PollyRoulson · 01/06/2021 08:55