What do I need to know about getting a golden retriever?

[Tilllly]

As a puppy

From a reputable breeder

Advice gratefully received ☺️

The term 'reputable breeder' is an oxymoron
Adopt don't shop

S@QueenBitch666 er no it’s not. Good breeders are rare but do exist. They love their breed and only tend to have a litter when they want to keep a pup to keep their line going. There are lots of vulnerable breeds that would die out if these people didn’t keep them alive. And not all homes are suitable for a rescue dog. I wanted a wolfhound. I had cats and kids. I wouldn’t trust a rescue sighthound with them.

We wanted to get a rescue but I talked to a friend who has had dogs for decades and she advised against it when I told her the age of the dog and the fact she had no training and knew no commands. We got a puppy and she is now seven and adorable and well known in the village for being a great dog who is well trained. If I got a dog again I may consider a rescue as I'm more experienced.

Oh, give it a rest.
There are plenty of good breeders who think hard before they put two dogs together, bring the puppies up well, find good homes for them and are prepared to take them back.

You very rarely see dogs of the breed we have being rehomed through the big rescues. Most that need rehoming are either given back to the breeder who finds a new home (or, in the case of a mate of mine, keeps the dog...) or go through the breed rescue (very rarely more than a handful of dogs available).

Shut up you dick

Fighting on Daisy's thread! No! I am hear for the relaxing pictures of the little fluffball.

Yes me too! This thread is only about Daisy! 🥺

Yes no fisticuffs please -- floofs and gentle tailwags only

Otherwise we shall have to bring in the foxes

🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊

@Tilllly can we get more Daisy pictures please to get back to the important matter at hand

Not Daisy, but a brace of goldies to reduce all our stress levels.

I would 100% boop all of these snoots. What a dreamy bunch 😍

The one at the back on the right hand side (the one that’s clearly still v. young) has the exact same expression as my golden does when he’s about to cause chaos. 😂

What a gorgeous thread ❤️ Daisy is squishy! I hope you're doing well, OP xx

Daisy's latest game is to go into stealth mode... creep into the bathroom... then get the end of the toilet roll and run like mad

Followed by me and DH, shouting NO DAISY, NO DAISY, NO DAISY, NO DAISY

She has started to play out in the garden a little bit

Proper grinning ❤️❤️❤️

The dog, not me 😁though of course it made me smile.

Hewro everibodi, 🌼 here
I doesnt steels the toylet rowl, I protecting Mumi from it eeting her

Look at the innocent face...

Oh photo not attached

Oh isn’t Daisy gorgeous 🥰
happy Mother’s Day ladies!
right..more preparation needed for me…can anyone recommend a good trainer whose videos can be watched on you tube?? There seem to be oodles on there but I want a really good trained!!
I want to get ahead of the game!! Always find it easier to watch a video of exactly what I’m meant to be doing!!

@Countrymumsy
I can't, there are tons
Wonder if it's worth asking your breeder?
Or going on champdogs?

OMG, not only Daisy is gorgeous, she is also protecting you from the danger of toilet roll 😍
I think she deserves a good chicken treat (is she allowed? Or whatever treat she loves the most)

@Countrymumsy if videos are useful…try McCann Dog Training - they have a very active YouTube and Facebook page. They’re American but use ‘treats’ to encourage good behaviour rather than prong collars etc (which many use). They also talk through basics like setting up for a dog, first night, key training tips, how to use a house line etc! I used to refresh my training before I got my youngest dog (ive had dogs all my life) and I actually learnt new things!

Do not use; Standard K9 training or dog daddy.

One thing dog ownership has taught me is that every trainer uses different methods and you might find anything you learn goes out of the window when you get a dog that doesn’t respond. So just be ready for that because I wasn’t 😂

For example, I’ve had two dog trainers. These were their approaches to the same issue (training him to settle in his pen).

Trainer 1 - walk around the house, when he follows you walk away from him. Put him in his pen with treats to make it interesting. Let him out if he barks as he will start to see it as negative. Use treats to move/distract.

Trainer 2 - keep him on a leash and within 2m of you at all times. Put him in his pen for naps/sleep or when you’re busy. Ignore barking as it’s attention seeking, not distress. Use the lead to move and control. Train him with your voice, not food.

I favoured approach 1…. But approach 2 has given me a much better behaved dog that I can actually now leave for short periods to get on with stuff!

Can I just say, have faith. I didn't go to any classes or follow any training plan. I did it all myself and she is so good. I know someone with two collies and she was showing off about what she could get her two dogs to do. I felt she's trained them through fear by the way they looked at her. I've trained mine through love and patience and she does what I ask because she has security. Try not to over think it.