2009 May | Pet Golden Retriever

Archives for May, 2009

does anybody know of a type of dog similar to a golden retriever but smaller?

the majority of my family wants a golden retriever but my sister and i would only enjoy that until it got big (we’d still love it but its too big). i’ve heard nova scotia duck tolling retriever. any other suggestions?

7 | Dogs

where can you buy golden retriever puppies in beijing china?

It has to be a white golden retriever and it has to be a puppy. the younger the better.
i didn’t mean white white, as in white golden, the ones which are white when they are babies and then grow a little brownish fur.
Like English Creams.

3 | Dogs

House Training for your Golden Retriever

When you begin house breaking your golden retriever, you should follow a strict routine. Before your pet is properly trained, it’s very important that your gold retriever does not spend too much time outside of it’s crate. If your pet is roaming around your home, you should watch it carefully. Don’t be upset at your pet if it relieves itself in an unwanted area. Your pet is your responsibility!

Training your golden retriever in your home is almost like training a child. In the morning, show your dog where to go. Designate that one location for relieving him or herself. Once your pet does, praise it. Let your pet know that it has urinated or pooped in the correct place.

While your in this training process, you don’t want your pet to roam wherever it wants. Neither do you want to let it outside of it’s crate when it wants. When an accident happens too much, it could become a habit. Pet’s don’t learn from their mistakes too easily. You have act like a parent and guide your pet and avoid these accidents as much as possible. Even though your pet might not fee too comfortable going through this process, it’s important that you train your pet right so the good actions become good habits.

If you give him too much freedom, your golden retriever could relieve itself on the floor. This might seem like a small thing. You could always clean up the mess and expect it to not happen so easily again. However, this is a major mistake. After you clean up the urine, you might not think that there’s anything there. However, there’s a good chance that your dog could smell it. This could trigger the action of peeing. So when he smell that area, your dog may identify this as the normal area to relieve itself. Having your dog relieve itself in the right location is very important.

If possible, it would be a good idea to allow your dog a passage, such as a dog door, to go outside. If you’re training your golden retriever to relieve itself outside, you should use a litter box or a wee-wee pad at the designated location. If you don’t have a outside passage, having wee-wee pads (also known as underpads) will be sufficient in an indoor environment. These can allow your dog to easily identify where it should go incase it has to go.

The process of house breaking your golden retriever could be time consuming, as well as frustrating. It’s important that you praise your dog and follow a strict regiment. Treat him like he’s a part of the family. Once your dog is properly trained, things will be much easier. So make sure your pet is properly trained!

0 | Pets

The Versatile Golden Retriever

So you are interested in acquiring a Golden Retriever because you think it is a friendly and good looking dog breed and you have heard that it behaves well with children. Well you are right in that the Golden is one of the best family-oriented dogs in the world as well as being one of the best looking and friendliest of the retriever dog breeds.

However, to simply limit the Golden’s description to child-friendly and good looking is to do the dog breed a major disservice. The Golden Retriever is one of the most versatile dog breeds known to man. This retriever is a good hunting dog, guide dog for the blind, narcotics dog, as well as an outstanding competitor in agility, retriever field trial, and obedience competitions. The versatile Golden manages all this while being an outstanding family dog. The list of superlatives that can be used to describe this breed are endless, but we can limit ourselves to: gentle, confidant, loyal, cheerful, trustworthy, active, friendly, intelligent, eager to please and responsive to training. It is these last three characteristics that enable the Golden to be trained to such a high-level for work and competition. Additional information on activities for dogs can be found in my article Fun Dog Activities at http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/articles/fun-dog-activities.html

The origin of the Golden can be traced back to mid-19th century Britain. A Scotsman, Sir Dudley Marjoribanks later Lord Tweedsmuir, developed the breed both as a land hunting dog and a water retriever. The breeding records show that the Golden has a mixture of sporting dog breeds in its lineage. These breeds include the wavy-coated Retriever, the yellow Tweed Water Spaniel, the Irish Setter and the sandy-colored Bloodhound. The resulting line of Golden Retrievers was officially recognized as a pure-bred breed in Britain in 1913 and by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1925. The Golden’s water-repellant coat may be a rich shade of gold or a lighter cream color. The coat is easy to care for and only requires weekly combing and brushing except when shedding. Male Goldens are fairly large and stand 23 to 24 inches tall at shoulder height and weigh from 65 to 75 pounds. Females are smaller and stand 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall at shoulder height and weigh from 55 to 65 pounds. The popularity of the Golden is not due to its prowess as a hunting dog or its ability to be trained to a high-level for work and competition. It is largely based on its popularity as a family-oriented dog breed. The Golden was ranked 2nd out of 154 dog breeds in 2004 AKC registrations.

It isn’t, however, all smiles and chuckles when raising a Golden. The Golden Retriever remains goofy and puppy-like for several years. This can be amusing but it can also be frustrating. Young Goldens tend to be overly exuberant and you must supervise young toddlers around them in order to avoid toddler knock down. Therefore Goldens should be socialized and obedience trained when they are puppies. On the other hand, young children also must be supervised as the Golden is so docile it will let them do almost anything to it - even dress the dog up like a doll. Goldens also have a tendency to mouth everything and everybody so they should be provided with lots of toys to carry around. The friendly Golden, with its constantly wagging tail, will clear coffee tables wherever it walks. Goldens should be given regular exercise, not too vigorous, several times a day when they are young. After the Golden is fully grown it can be taken jogging, hiking or biking. These retrievers love to swim whenever possible and if given enough exercise can adapt to most living conditions.

If you are seriously interested in acquiring a Golden Retriever then you should check with your national pure-bred dog organizations such as the American (http://www.akc.org) or Canadian Kennel (http://www.ckc.com) Clubs to look for conformation shows in your area. Make sure you talk to owners and breeders at these shows to see if your lifestyle is really suited to this breed. Additional information on Goldens and on specific shows and competitions in your area can be found by checking with the national Golden Retriever Clubs. In the US it is the Golden Retriever Club of America (http://www.grca.org) and in Canada it is the Golden Retriever Club of Canada (http://www.grcc.net). Both of these umbrella organizations will point you to the local chapter closest to your home that will be able to provide you with information on reputable breeders. They can also provide you with information on Golden Retriever rescue organizations in case you wish to obtain an adult dog.

The national Golden Retriever clubs are dedicated to improving the bloodlines of Golden’s and eliminating and reducing the incidence of inherited diseases. These clubs will encourage you to ask the breeder for the health clearances appropriate for Goldens. Goldens are a fairly robust and healthy dog breed that can be expected to live for 10 to 14 years. Unfortunately, because of the dog breeds popularity some backyard breeders and puppy mills are producing defective and even aggressive representatives of the breed. Common health problems include: inherited musculoskeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia; eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy and juvenile cataracts; sub aortic stenosis (SAS) heart disease and hypothyroidism. Information on these inherited diseases can be found in my article Hereditary diseases at http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/articles/hereditary-diseases.html. Before you buy that irresistible Golden puppy, make sure you ask the breeder for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) results and the Canine Eye Registry (CERF) recent ophthalmologists report for the breeding sire and dam.

I am sure your life will be greatly enhanced with a Golden Retriever as a companion.

0 | Automotive

how can i stop my golden retriever from jumping on people?

my 1 and a half year old golden retriever keeps jumping on people. we ignore him when he jumps on us but that didnt help.

4 | Dogs

Golden Retriever Puppies ( 5 weeks old)

Golden Retriever Puppies ( 5 weeks old) with my song for back ground music

0 | Animals

Golden Retrievers

trievers are the second most commonly registered breed with the American Kennel Club. The only other breed that outranks the Golden Retriever in popularity is the Labrador Retriever. They are dually coated. The outer coat is silky and soft. The undercoat provides the necessary extra layer to maintain proper body temperature throughout the year and repel water when hunting or participating in water activities. The Golden Retriever was originally bred to be a hunting dog because they are instinctive retrievers. This makes them ideal as a hunting companion, particularly for bird hunters that typically are hunting in rough terrain and/or areas with water. They are not pointers or well suited for flushing out game like other breeds such as cocker spaniels or Blue Tick, but they will swim in rough, cold water to retrieve game or charge through thick bramble and brush to locate and return with the prize. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular family pets. One reason for being a great family dog is because of their calm and easy going temperament. Golden Retrievers are good around children because of their tolerant disposition. Golden Retriever will generally be far more patient of the clumsiness and irregularity of a toddler or young child than other breeds. Golden Retrievers are excellent service dogs. They are used by police and military, and are considered the best dog breed as a therapeutic or seeing eye companion because of their gentle disposition and temperament. Because Golden Retrievers are athletically inclined, highly intelligent and possess a strong desire to please their owners, they perform very well at dog obedience’s competition. They also have a high energy level and are fun loving dogs. One of their favorite playtime activities is to play fetch. The Golden Retriever loves water which makes retrieving a stick or tennis ball from lakes, ponds, rivers or tidal areas a great deal of fun, but also prepares them for hunting conditions which is one of their strongest skills and instinctive characteristics. Their high level of intelligence makes them strong candidates to do very well in obedience training. Their friendly and affectionate personalities also make them ideal visitors for retirement homes and allow them to be effective therapy dogs as noted earlier. The Golden Retriever breed is ideal for families and children because they are so even tempered and calm natured. They are eager to please and want to be your loyal companion. This breed requires vigorous and regular activity to stay mentally stimulated and physically healthy.

0 | Pets

how do i talk my boyfriend into letting me get a golden retriever?

i work at an animal hospital in the kennel and i have fallen in love with golden retrievers. me and my boyfriend have been talking about getting a dog for almost a year now and we cant come to a decision on which one to get. he wants a beagle, and i don’t. i want a golden, but he doesn’t. i need some advice on how to talk him into the golden retriever once and for all.

10 | Dogs

3 Tips to Train Your Golden Retriever

Teething Troubles of Golden Puppies

Training of Golden Retriever puppies, the first point to remember is their Teething troubles. When the teeth are growing they lowe to chew stuff, anything they can bite into. Golden puppies love to chew and this may sometime prove to be expensive. Chew toys are the preferred mediums. However you can keep some old socks filled with ice cubes in your freezer and give it to your golden retriever whenever it gets into a chewing frenzy due to pain of teething.

Have several socks filled with Ice cubes ready. Put a tight knot with the ice cubes and keep them in the freezer. When ever required simply take out the socks and give it to your puppy. Be watchful that your golden puppy doesn’t chew through the socks and swallow the ice cubes. This could lead to health problems.

Golden Puppies love Digging

It is in the essential nature of the puppies to dig. Give your puppy a space to dig in your yard. Otherwise they may dig through your floor, couch or the bed. Don’t punish your puppies if their natural instinct makes them damage your stuff. Give your Golden puppy a small space in the yard with a treat in a specific spot so that it doesn’t damage the entire yard. Make a sand box and put its favorite toys and let it dig it out. Give the golden some praise whenever it does it right. Once it start growing give your golden retriever obedience classes to exercise more control over the digging habit.

Leashes Training of the Golden

No one likes to be leashed or chained least of all the golden retriever. During leash training, a lot of people prefer to attach the leash to the Golden then drag him in the direction they want him to go. This isn’t the best way to train, as it often sends the wrong signal to the puppy. Instead, you should first get your Golden puppy used to the collar and the leash. You can do this by putting his collar and leash on inside the house or outside in a fenced in area, so that he can walk around and move about freely with the leash on, dragging it alongside him.

Once you have given him some time, pick the leash up, and then start calling him to you. Once he comes over to you, start praising him for it, so he knows that he is on the right track. Always be patient when leash training, as it will take some time for him to get used to it. If you continue to praise him when he is doing it right and continue giving him time to get used to the leash, you shouldn’t have any problems.

These 3 tips can help a great deal when training your Golden Retriever puppy. Golden puppies are great dogs, although you’ll need to have a bit of patience with them. Even though they are very smart dogs, it may take them time to learn. Once they start learning however - they will become an integral part of your family and enjoyable antics of the pup can be fun to watch.

0 | Pets

The Combination Approach To Feeding Your Golden Retriever

You have just got yourself a cute little Golden Retriever puppy. You are now part of a global family of dog owners. When you get a pup home, you will have to feed it as well. Here we will discuss the combination approach to feeding a Golden Retriever.

People say many different things about dog food, and its actual health value to your pet. Some say that is made up of primarily excess food grain and animal fat which cannot be used anywhere else. It also lacks essential vitamins and nutrients. Others advocate the use of dog food saying it is healthy, nutritious and wholesome.

Whatever be the case, it is always better to take up the combination approach to feeding for your Golden Retriever. This combines both fresh food along with commercial pet food. The best fresh or real food for your Golden Retriever is chicken, beef, turkey and a host of fresh raw veggies and fruits. You can also give curd, eggs, cottage cheese and brown rice to your Golden Retriever. Of these, chicken and meat contain lots of proteins and minerals.

Dogs need to have variety in their diet. You can alternate meals with fresh food twice a day and dog food once a day. This will give the dog all the nutrition it needs. Make sure to keep changing their food to get them to eat different kinds of fruits and veggies as well. Mix it in with the meat.

That is why the combination approach to feeding allows you to ensure that your Golden Retriever gets all the nourishment it needs to stay healthy. Also, be sure to include a decent amount of animal protein while feeding your dog, as they need it as part of their diet regime.

Be sure to check the label of the commercial dog food you have chosen, as there are many companies that use USFDA failed grains and rejected food grains. Be sure to avoid these products. The same applies to meat products available commercially for dogs.

Also, be careful that there are not too many preservatives in the dog food, and if there are, see that they are of natural origin. If you would not like to eat chemically rich food, why would you want your dog to eat it?

Give your Golden Retriever good food, and if you have any doubts ask your vet to suggest what he should have. He is the best person to guide you in this matter. We must remember that this combination approach to feeding is just a guideline to encompass all Golden Retrievers.

It may happen that in your particular case, the vet may suggest a different approach. It would be best to listen to him. For example, I met a Golden Retriever who had lactose intolerance. So he could not have milk. His vet realized this, and told the owner to avoid milk and related products. He is fine now.

I hope these ideas will help you get better understanding on the combination approach to feeding.

0 | Pets