Aug 16, Golden Retriever Puppies -- Selection, Care and Training

Watching a litter of Golden Retriever puppies romp and play will make your day! Now that you own one, how do you take care of that adorable ball of Golden fluff? Follow along for some helpful puppy care tips.

If you're looking for a faithful family pet, you may be able to find the pup of your dreams at the nearest Humane Society facility.

You can also try one of your local animal shelters.

Check the Internet for a Golden Retriever puppy rescue group in your area.

When you adopt a puppy, you're giving him a second chance at life.

You're also opening your heart and home to a very grateful pup.

Perhaps you're looking for a purebred dog with papers that you can show in American Kennel Club (AKC) events.

If so, you might be wise to contact Golden Retriever breeders in your area to see if they have any new or almost-here litters.

Dog breeders who specialize in one breed are usually more knowledgeable about the breed standard they're trying to maintain.

They also keep careful records to try to eliminate health problems that tend to crop up in their particular breed.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a puppy. Use your head along with your heart! Testing for puppy temperament can be helpful in the selection process.

By the way, although Golden Retriever Christmas puppies look adorable under the Christmas tree, you might want to pick a less stressful time of the year to introduce your pup to his new family. You'll both be glad you did.

Click here to share your stories and photos of the cute puppies in your life! Golden Retriever puppies are especially photogenic, as we all know. Share your cute puppy pictures and stories so we can all enjoy them!

While you're shopping for the puppy who will become a member of your family, it's a good idea to invest some time and effort in puppy-proofing your home for your pup's safety and your own sanity.

You'll also want to buy puppy supplies before you even bring the little rascal home.

That can help you avoid a last minute dash to the store.

Spending a little time reading about house training a puppy would also be a good idea.

Since crate training a puppy is an important part of successful house training, you might want to check out Craigslist for a good used crate or shop for a new one.

Paper training small puppies is another possible option, but with a few cautions.

Golden Retriever puppies learn new things as quickly as young children. They're adorable little knowledge sponges, soaking up everything you want to teach them just because they're so eager to please you.

Joining a clicker training class in your area is a great way to gently introduce Puppy Pete to the basics of dog obedience training and add to the important puppy socialization process.

Your long-term dog grooming routine begins when you bring Puppy Pete home.

He's so soft and fluffy, you'll want to brush and pet him all the time!

Even dog bathing is fun when it's for cute puppies.

Getting an early start is the best way to make sure it goes smoothly during your many years together.

Lifelong nail care is also easy when you start cutting dog nails at a very early age.

What should you feed your little bottomless pit?

Check with your veterinarian to see what he recommends in the way of puppy kibble.

You can provide good dental care for those precious puppy teeth by feeding dry puppy food and providing the right kind of puppy toys for Puppy Pete to chew on.

How do you keep Golden Retriever puppies in the best of health?

Get off to a great start by taking him to your local veterinarian for a checkup as soon as he joins your family.

Keeping all scheduled appointments will help your vet notice any possible problems and make sure your pup grows at a healthy rate.

Several dog vaccinations need to be administered at an early age.

Check with the people you bought your pup from to find out which puppy vaccinations he's already received.

Then stick with the schedule your vet sets up.

Chances are, you'll probably be blessed with a healthy, happy puppy.

But if you notice anything out of the ordinary, don't hesitate to call your veterinarian for advice. Sick puppies can go downhill very quickly.

Throughout the many stages of puppy development, you'll marvel at this amazingly unique and special member of your family.

Golden Retriever puppies grow up so quickly!

Take lots of pictures, and spend as much time with him as you can.

Cultivate your relationship with kindness and understanding.

Your lovely Golden will repay you with a lifetime of unconditional love and devotion.

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Aug 18, Training A Golden Retriever -- Why and How

Training a Golden Retriever, or any kind of dog for that matter, is an absolute necessity.

Just like children, dogs come into the world filled with love and curiosity, but not manners.

They need to be taught how to get along in the family.

That includes eliminating outside of the house and behaving properly inside the house.

It also means learning how to be polite to people and other animals.

We'll provide some dog training tips that will help you accomplish your puppy training goals.

Good training makes your dog priceless. A well-mannered dog is accepted and appreciated by everyone in your community. Even your family will appreciate him more, as a well-trained, well-behaved dog is always a joy to live with.

Training makes dogs happy, too.

By nature, dogs prefer a society with rules, where everybody knows his place.

When you teach dogs the rules of your family, they feel secure knowing exactly what they are and aren't allowed to do.

Proper dog training also provides an opportunity for your pet to fulfill his own canine potential.

There's almost no limit to how much your dog can learn with your help and perhaps that of a dog trainer, as well.

People sometimes think even basic dog training takes away a dog's freedom.

On the contrary, the better he's trained, the more freedom you can give him.

Your dog's excellent behavior earns him the right to accompany you nearly everywhere you go.

Training Golden Retrievers is such a simple, enjoyable task that you'll find you won't need much in the way of training equipment. But there are a few simple items you'll want to keep handy, and we'll discuss those.

Most importantly, you'll find that food treats are an especially useful motivator during training, as they definitely hold most Goldens' attention. I have yet to meet a healthy Golden Retriever who didn't like to eat!

Another part of Golden Retriever care and training involves basic dog obedience training.

Because of their natural desire to please, Goldens really shine in this area. There are many benefits of obedience training, and we'll discuss them in more detail.

Training your Golden Retriever doesn't have to be limited to obedience.

You might also think about training him in hunting or tracking, or in the fun activities of agility (pictured here), flyball or Frisbee.

Compared with other breeds, Goldens are considered to be among the most easily trainable.

Intelligent and eager to please, the Golden Retriever is a dog that responds quickly to training and thrives on mental stimulation.

One of the most enjoyable tasks you may ever undertake is that of training a Golden Retriever puppy.

Sure, it can be a bit challenging at times.

But with lots of love, praise and patience, you'll find that training Golden Retriever pups can be the happiest part of your day.

I'll give you some tips that will make Golden Retriever puppy training as successful and fun as it should be.

Your first concern will be teaching your new housemate where to "take care of business."

I'll go over some housebreaking tips that will ensure your success in this area.

Paper training is another option under certain circumstances.

Crate training has many purposes, only one of which is assisting in the housebreaking process.

We'll discuss the reasons for teaching your Golden to enjoy his crate, and how to make the process seem totally natural to your canine companion, whether he's a puppy or an older Golden.

Training a Golden Retriever opens communication channels, enabling your canine companion to understand your requests.

Communication is a two-way street. You need to understand how your dog thinks, and your dog needs to understand what you want him to do.

Fortunately, positive dog training methods (such as clicker training) are easy, efficient and effective. They're also considerably more dog-friendly and user-friendly than conventional training methods.

Good manners, taught early, will last a lifetime.

By teaching some limits, by praising his good behavior, by correcting inappropriate behavior and by knowing what to correct and what to leave alone, you can help your dog become the trusted companion you want him to be.

The purpose of training a Golden Retriever is not so much what it teaches your dog to do, but what it helps him to become--the most interesting, mentally-developed, communicative, playful friend he can possibly be.

Return from Training a Golden Retriever
to Lovable Golden Retriever Home Page

View the original article here

Jul 24, Clicker Training -- The Fun Dog Training Method

Clicker training is an easy, gentle, and fun way to teach your dog to become a happy, responsive, well-mannered companion.

Based on scientific research of the laws of learning and operant conditioning, it's a simple, proven way to communicate with your dog using positive reinforcement.

Have you noticed how quickly your dog learned what the can opener means?

Or that the doorbell means someone is coming into the house?

It seems almost magical how quickly they catch onto sounds and behaviors.

Dogs are very intelligent animals.

And Golden Retrievers are one of the smartest breeds (as you know!).

Clicker dog training is a wonderful way to use that canine intelligence to your advantage.

Best of all, to your dog, this training method is all one big wonderful game.

The game is simple: You have something your dog wants (a yummy treat), and he must do something for you, to get it.

In 1985, dolphin trainer Karen Pryor wrote a book, Don't Shoot the Dog, about applied operant conditioning.

She explained how anyone using this learning method could train any animal without force. Her book changed how people looked at dog training.

By 1992, dog trainers began using clicker training that they learned at seminars given by Karen Pryor.

You can find more information about Karen's seminars at her web site, along with numerous books and DVDs by Karen and other respected clicker training instructors.

While you're browsing her site, you can read articles and watch clips of training videos--free! She provides a great selection of books and DVDs on all aspects of clicker training to get you off to a great start or guide you in further training with your dog.

While clickers are new to dog training, the clicker (or some kind of event marker) has been used in training marine animals and birds for years.

Most of the animal actors on TV and in the movies are now clicker trained. Many service dogs that help the disabled, and many working dogs such as police dogs, are also clicker trained.

To create this learning magic, we use a small plastic clicker that makes a unique sound when you press it.

Most pet supply stores carry clickers.

Be sure to purchase several, so you'll always have one handy.

The clicker is a marker signal.

It tells your dog, "Yes, that is exactly what I want you to do," and promises him a reward (treat) for doing it.

You can muffle the clicker if the sound startles your dog at first.

Just put it in your pocket or hold it behind your back.

Dogs have very acute hearing, and some dogs are more sensitive to sounds than others.

You can use almost any food (except chocolate, raisins and grapes) as a reward. The food should be no larger than raisin-size.

Yes, toys can be used, but they tend to slow down the training process.

Vary treats often, and experiment to see what goodies appeal to your dog. Food is rarely a problem for a Golden Retriever!

Here are some popular treats to try: cooked boneless chicken pieces, pieces of homemade cookies or biscuits, Cheerios or other similar-sized cereals, chopped carrots or green beans, kibble dog food, string cheese, leftover steak pieces, pieces of commercial dog treats, popcorn, bread crust pieces, and croutons.

Dogs are never too young or too old to learn using this fun method.

Some breeders are sending eight-week-old clicker trained puppies to their new homes.

These puppies know sit and down, and are house trained.

Old dogs find clicker games very stimulating and exciting.

They keep the oldsters mentally alert and help extend their golden years.

Even dogs with disabilities can learn. Trainers often use a flashlight instead of a clicker to teach deaf dogs.

It's very important to keep teaching sessions short. Dogs seem to do best with sessions only three to five minutes long.

Young puppies have very short attention spans and may need even shorter session times.

Is your lifestyle pretty hectic these days?

Traditional dog training (mostly drill) can be very difficult to squeeze into a busy schedule.

On the other hand, short clicker training sessions are much easier to work into your day-to-day activities.

People often wonder if they have to carry a clicker and treats with them at all times.

The answer is No.

You see, the clicker is a teaching tool.

When your dog understands what you want, you no longer need to use the clicker for that skill.

Treats are phased out as well, because your dog is so delighted to show off his new skills, he's quite happy with your verbal praise instead of treats for reinforcement.

Clicker training is like a game for your dog. He "wins" by discovering for himself that he can make you click and treat. It's tons of fun for both of you!

You can use this method to train your dog to do everything from simple sits to amazingly complex tricks.

If you'd like to learn more about this fun, positive dog training method, check out the wide variety of supplies and resources at Karen Pryor's web site.

Along with the great clicker training books and training DVDs, you'll also find different types of clickers, toys and treats.

She also provides a link to help you find a great dog trainer in your area who has training and experience in clicker dog training, either for classes or one-on-one assistance.

Return to Training a Golden Retriever

Return from Clicker Training
to Lovable Golden Retriever Home Page

View the original article here

Jun 14, Paper Training Puppies -- Tips and Techniques

Many trainers advise against paper training puppies at all.

That's because you're giving your puppy permission to relieve himself inside the house.

Of course, that's the very thing you don't ever want him to do.

I totally agree with this excellent advice.

I'm only including this section in case it's the only way you can have a young puppy at all.

The Number One Problem is pretty obvious: Big dogs make big messes. For that reason, paper training dogs as large as Golden Retrievers is just not a good idea.

Paper training puppies can also create a big problem later on.

That's because some grown-up paper trained dogs actually refuse to relieve themselves outside at all.

They'll wait for hours to get home to the good old newspaper, or the place where the newspaper used to be.

While paper training small puppies may be helpful for a short period of time, a problem with using papers throughout a dog's life is that it's rarely 100 percent effective.

It also makes you really nervous when visiting in other people's homes, as your dog may easily mistake your friend's habit of setting the daily paper beside his lounge chair, for a flashing neon "Restroom" sign just for him.

Do you live on the fifth floor of an apartment building?

Will there be times when no one is available to take the puppy outside every hour?

In your situation, it may be justifiable for you to paper train your puppy as a temporary measure.

Paper training puppies can work in cases like this, if you combine using a crate with taking the puppy outside, to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation.

If you decide that paper training puppies is your best option, given your circumstances, you need to decide where to set up the "Puppy Bathroom."

Choose an enclosed area in the kitchen, utility room or bathroom.

Having an easily cleaned floor, like linoleum or tile, will be a great time-saver.

Use newspapers to cover the floor of the entire room.

It makes a cheap (or free) way to soak up the puddles and to wrap up and dispose of the puppy piles.

The big thing to remember when you put those papers down for the first time is that they'll be removed for good--soon.

The shorter the time the puppy is relieving himself inside the house, the better it will be for everyone.

Put your puppy's crate (with the door open) at one end of the room.

This arrangement will reinforce his natural instinct to sleep in one place and dirty in another.

It's also a good way to combine crate training with paper training, eventually leading to having a fully crate-trained, housebroken dog.

Basically, paper training puppies follows the same rules as housebreaking puppies, but you'll take your pup to papers instead of outside.

As far as the actual training is concerned, here's the best way to go about it: Begin the first minute you bring a puppy home. Put some newspapers down where you want the puppy to go and show him where they are. Before long, your puppy will start to sniff and circle, or start to squat. Be ready. Pick him up and gently put him down on the papers, praising him with "Gooood dog!" Every time he starts to relieve himself, even if you're a little late, gently put him on the papers with "Gooood dog!" It won't be long before he goes over and eliminates on the papers all by himself. When he's made it to the papers on his own steam, and been praised for it consistently, you can start getting a little tough. Tell him "No!" when he starts to go on the bare floor, and "Gooood dog!" after you've put him gently on the papers. He'll catch on quickly.
Change the papers after each use. Put a slightly soiled paper underneath the fresh ones. Your puppy's keen sense of smell will zero in on the "bathroom smell," encouraging him to use this spot for his business. Wipe under papers with pet odor eliminators daily. This keeps the smell off the floor, discouraging the pup from sniffing the edge of the paper but actually going off of it. Putting waxed paper or plastic under the papers can save your floor from staining or long-term odor. Don't leave the papers in the same spot for too long. You don't want the puppy to get the idea that it's the location rather than the papers that makes it OK to eliminate there. Gradually move the papers closer and closer to the door the puppy will be using to go outside. This starts him on the way toward going to the door to tell you that he needs to be emptied.

By the way, paper training puppies--except maybe for a sickly puppy or for the very first few days--is not a substitute for housebreaking a puppy to the outdoors.

You should take your puppy on plenty of outdoor walks, encourage him to relieve himself outside, and praise him when he does.

This outdoor work needs to be going on while you're also using the papers.

Golden Retriever puppies grow up very quickly.

It won't be along before you realize that paper training puppies just isn't the best way to go for your Golden ball of fluff.

Do whatever it takes to move on to completely housebreaking your Golden Retriever puppy to the outdoors.

It will definitely be worth it.

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to Golden Retriever Puppies

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to Lovable Golden Retriever Home Page

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Jul 24, Clicker Training -- The Fun Dog Training Method

Clicker training is an easy, gentle, and fun way to teach your dog to become a happy, responsive, well-mannered companion.

Based on scientific research of the laws of learning and operant conditioning, it's a simple, proven way to communicate with your dog using positive reinforcement.

Have you noticed how quickly your dog learned what the can opener means?

Or that the doorbell means someone is coming into the house?

It seems almost magical how quickly they catch onto sounds and behaviors.

Dogs are very intelligent animals.

And Golden Retrievers are one of the smartest breeds (as you know!).

Clicker dog training is a wonderful way to use that canine intelligence to your advantage.

Best of all, to your dog, this training method is all one big wonderful game.

The game is simple: You have something your dog wants (a yummy treat), and he must do something for you, to get it.

In 1985, dolphin trainer Karen Pryor wrote a book, Don't Shoot the Dog, about applied operant conditioning.

She explained how anyone using this learning method could train any animal without force. Her book changed how people looked at dog training.

By 1992, dog trainers began using clicker training that they learned at seminars given by Karen Pryor.

You can find more information about Karen's seminars at her web site, along with numerous books and DVDs by Karen and other respected clicker training instructors.

While you're browsing her site, you can read articles and watch clips of training videos--free! She provides a great selection of books and DVDs on all aspects of clicker training to get you off to a great start or guide you in further training with your dog.

While clickers are new to dog training, the clicker (or some kind of event marker) has been used in training marine animals and birds for years.

Most of the animal actors on TV and in the movies are now clicker trained. Many service dogs that help the disabled, and many working dogs such as police dogs, are also clicker trained.

To create this learning magic, we use a small plastic clicker that makes a unique sound when you press it.

Most pet supply stores carry clickers.

Be sure to purchase several, so you'll always have one handy.

The clicker is a marker signal.

It tells your dog, "Yes, that is exactly what I want you to do," and promises him a reward (treat) for doing it.

You can muffle the clicker if the sound startles your dog at first.

Just put it in your pocket or hold it behind your back.

Dogs have very acute hearing, and some dogs are more sensitive to sounds than others.

You can use almost any food (except chocolate, raisins and grapes) as a reward. The food should be no larger than raisin-size.

Yes, toys can be used, but they tend to slow down the training process.

Vary treats often, and experiment to see what goodies appeal to your dog. Food is rarely a problem for a Golden Retriever!

Here are some popular treats to try: cooked boneless chicken pieces, pieces of homemade cookies or biscuits, Cheerios or other similar-sized cereals, chopped carrots or green beans, kibble dog food, string cheese, leftover steak pieces, pieces of commercial dog treats, popcorn, bread crust pieces, and croutons.

Dogs are never too young or too old to learn using this fun method.

Some breeders are sending eight-week-old clicker trained puppies to their new homes.

These puppies know sit and down, and are house trained.

Old dogs find clicker games very stimulating and exciting.

They keep the oldsters mentally alert and help extend their golden years.

Even dogs with disabilities can learn. Trainers often use a flashlight instead of a clicker to teach deaf dogs.

It's very important to keep teaching sessions short. Dogs seem to do best with sessions only three to five minutes long.

Young puppies have very short attention spans and may need even shorter session times.

Is your lifestyle pretty hectic these days?

Traditional dog training (mostly drill) can be very difficult to squeeze into a busy schedule.

On the other hand, short clicker training sessions are much easier to work into your day-to-day activities.

People often wonder if they have to carry a clicker and treats with them at all times.

The answer is No.

You see, the clicker is a teaching tool.

When your dog understands what you want, you no longer need to use the clicker for that skill.

Treats are phased out as well, because your dog is so delighted to show off his new skills, he's quite happy with your verbal praise instead of treats for reinforcement.

Clicker training is like a game for your dog. He "wins" by discovering for himself that he can make you click and treat. It's tons of fun for both of you!

You can use this method to train your dog to do everything from simple sits to amazingly complex tricks.

If you'd like to learn more about this fun, positive dog training method, check out the wide variety of supplies and resources at Karen Pryor's web site.

Along with the great clicker training books and training DVDs, you'll also find different types of clickers, toys and treats.

She also provides a link to help you find a great dog trainer in your area who has training and experience in clicker dog training, either for classes or one-on-one assistance.

Return to Training a Golden Retriever

Return from Clicker Training
to Lovable Golden Retriever Home Page

View the original article here

Aug 18, Training A Golden Retriever -- Why and How

Training a Golden Retriever, or any kind of dog for that matter, is an absolute necessity.

Just like children, dogs come into the world filled with love and curiosity, but not manners.

They need to be taught how to get along in the family.

That includes eliminating outside of the house and behaving properly inside the house.

It also means learning how to be polite to people and other animals.

We'll provide some dog training tips that will help you accomplish your puppy training goals.

Good training makes your dog priceless. A well-mannered dog is accepted and appreciated by everyone in your community. Even your family will appreciate him more, as a well-trained, well-behaved dog is always a joy to live with.

Training makes dogs happy, too.

By nature, dogs prefer a society with rules, where everybody knows his place.

When you teach dogs the rules of your family, they feel secure knowing exactly what they are and aren't allowed to do.

Proper dog training also provides an opportunity for your pet to fulfill his own canine potential.

There's almost no limit to how much your dog can learn with your help and perhaps that of a dog trainer, as well.

People sometimes think even basic dog training takes away a dog's freedom.

On the contrary, the better he's trained, the more freedom you can give him.

Your dog's excellent behavior earns him the right to accompany you nearly everywhere you go.

Training Golden Retrievers is such a simple, enjoyable task that you'll find you won't need much in the way of training equipment. But there are a few simple items you'll want to keep handy, and we'll discuss those.

Most importantly, you'll find that food treats are an especially useful motivator during training, as they definitely hold most Goldens' attention. I have yet to meet a healthy Golden Retriever who didn't like to eat!

Another part of Golden Retriever care and training involves basic dog obedience training.

Because of their natural desire to please, Goldens really shine in this area. There are many benefits of obedience training, and we'll discuss them in more detail.

Training your Golden Retriever doesn't have to be limited to obedience.

You might also think about training him in hunting or tracking, or in the fun activities of agility (pictured here), flyball or Frisbee.

Compared with other breeds, Goldens are considered to be among the most easily trainable.

Intelligent and eager to please, the Golden Retriever is a dog that responds quickly to training and thrives on mental stimulation.

One of the most enjoyable tasks you may ever undertake is that of training a Golden Retriever puppy.

Sure, it can be a bit challenging at times.

But with lots of love, praise and patience, you'll find that training Golden Retriever pups can be the happiest part of your day.

I'll give you some tips that will make Golden Retriever puppy training as successful and fun as it should be.

Your first concern will be teaching your new housemate where to "take care of business."

I'll go over some housebreaking tips that will ensure your success in this area.

Paper training is another option under certain circumstances.

Crate training has many purposes, only one of which is assisting in the housebreaking process.

We'll discuss the reasons for teaching your Golden to enjoy his crate, and how to make the process seem totally natural to your canine companion, whether he's a puppy or an older Golden.

Training a Golden Retriever opens communication channels, enabling your canine companion to understand your requests.

Communication is a two-way street. You need to understand how your dog thinks, and your dog needs to understand what you want him to do.

Fortunately, positive dog training methods (such as clicker training) are easy, efficient and effective. They're also considerably more dog-friendly and user-friendly than conventional training methods.

Good manners, taught early, will last a lifetime.

By teaching some limits, by praising his good behavior, by correcting inappropriate behavior and by knowing what to correct and what to leave alone, you can help your dog become the trusted companion you want him to be.

The purpose of training a Golden Retriever is not so much what it teaches your dog to do, but what it helps him to become--the most interesting, mentally-developed, communicative, playful friend he can possibly be.

Return from Training a Golden Retriever
to Lovable Golden Retriever Home Page

View the original article here