oklahoma boxer puppies for sale

oklahoma boxer puppies for sale - Tunnel Dash The Weaving Wonder Games for German Shepherds can include everyday objects that you can find around your house and are fun activities that give your German Shepherd mental stimulation and exercise. Try a few of these activities for German Shepherds and see which ones your dog loves! Hide-and-Seek Treats Hiding their food helps your dog use their noses to explore. Mental stimulation with a food hide-and-seek game keeps your dog sharp by using their noses source. You can use this game indoors or out in your yard or garden. Now hide a few pieces around the house or yard while they watch, and encourage them to find the food. German Shepherds have a keen sense of smell, and many learn to track. Puppy Puzzles This German Shepherd activity teaches your dog to use their nose and brain together. Food puzzles are activities that keep your dog working for their reward. Use this stimulating mind game to introduce them to puzzles. Next, place their food in the puzzle. Show them how to find food and encourage them to find the food on their own. If you want to feed your dog the right foods, then read this list of healthy, tasty treats for German Shepherds. Break your treats into small pieces, no larger than the size of your pinkie nail to keep their nutrition in check. The Special Delivery activity uses common mailing items as hiding places for their treats. Use a clean box that came in the mail. Place pieces of kibble or treats inside the brown paper wrap. Squish the brown paper or paper towels together to wrap around the kibble. Encourage your dog or puppy to look for their food. When they are finished, refill the brown paper packaging or paper towel balls and start again. Another simple and easy game to put together is a bottle treat dispenser. The bottle slides and moves on the floor to make the game more interesting for both puppies and adults. And, of course, supervise your German Shepherd during games at all times. Save a large water bottle. Make sure it is clean and dry. Let your dog turn, paw, and shake the bottle so the kibble falls out. Repeat when empty to finish their meal. Replace the bottles regularly as they become dirty or worn. The larger the opening, the easier the food will fall out. Brain Training for Dogs Brain Training your German Shepherd keeps them mentally stimulated and physically engaged, ensuring they have a pawsome time! Brain training your German Shepherd is an activity that increases their mental stimulation and is fun for both you and your dog! You can use brain training to help teach your German Shepherd manners and basic obedience at the same time. But… You can read more on my helpful review: Brain Training for Dogs Review to learn all about this engaging playtime program. Setup this game by doing this: Place a few bits of their food or treats in the muffin tins and a ball over the top to cover the cups. You can leave some muffin tins without a tennis ball to make the game easier to start or for puppies learning about brain games. When your dog is finished, refill the muffin tins. To make the game interesting, leave some tins without food, but still cover the compartment with a tennis ball. This makes your dog use his nose more and gives them a surprise when they find the food in some compartments but not in others. Frozen Kong Delight By far, my German Shepherd enjoys this mental exercise the best, as the food seems to last longer and keep her quiet. Get out your trusty, indestructible German Shepherd-proof Kong toy. Place a mixture of moistened kibble in the center. I like to add a few spoonfuls of unflavored Greek yogurt mixed into the food for extra encouragement. Set this in the freezer for a few hours to stiffen up. When frozen, give it to your dog for a tasty mealtime surprise! If you buy a few Kongs, you can keep them in your freezer for times when you want or need to keep your German Shepherd busy and entertained. Trust me, the Kong toys make for engaging playtime ideas for German Shepherds and can stand up to their rough play. Tupperware Surprise These old plastic food storage containers make useful indoor activities for your German Shepherd. Put them to use with this game. Place several pieces of plastic food storage containers upside down, without their lids, over a handful of kibble. You can put the food storage containers all in one room or place them in multiple rooms for a seek-and-find activity. Encourage your dog to go find the kibble, and help them find the first few to get them started. They must figure out how to turn the container over with their paws or nose, which is tricky for some dogs, especially puppies. Use this mental exercise inside or outside, depending on the weather. This game also uses empty cardboard tubes from paper towels or toilet paper. Place their kibble on brown shipping or craft paper, or even a clean paper towel. Next, wrap the kibble up securely and place the wrapped kibble inside the cardboard tubes. Encourage your dog to explore the tubes. You can see my German Shepherd enjoying the game of finding treats in cardboard tubes. As simple as this sounds, the activity keeps my German Shepherd busy as she delicately removes the kibble from the boxes or toilet roll tubes filled with kibble and paper. No worries. This game really gets an active Shepherd moving and keeps them occupied! Start slowly and toss one ball away from you. While your dog goes to chase that ball, get another ball toy ready in your hand. As they return the first ball, toss the second ball across the grass for them to have another sprint. Only play a handful of rounds, and then let your dog have a rest and some water to avoid them overheating. Instead, use these summer activities to exercise your German Shepherd in the heat. Place their kibble meal or another dry treat inside the toy to help provide a challenge to their minds and bodies. As your dog chases the toy around and works to get their reward, they burn calories and have to use their brain power to work the food loose. You can wash this treat dispensing toy, so if your dog is a first-class drooler, you can easily clean their germs away. This is a mentally-stimulating game for an indoor German Shepherd activity for a puppy or even a bored German Shepherd. Tunnel Dash Collapsible tunnels can make for an exciting and fun backyard activity. Owners of our high-energy breed will appreciate teaching their dog both indoor agility to challenge their minds and outdoor agility to challenge their minds and use their energy! You may have to entice your dog through the tunnel by placing them at one end and having them wait while you walk to the other. But German Shepherds love this type of stimulation and are expert tunnel runners! The Weaving Wonder From German Shepherd puppies to seniors, almost every dog enjoys learning how to become a weaving wonder! If your dog enjoys high-energy activities, then add to your agility set by using these easy-to-set up weave poles. Your athletic Shepherd will love to use their brains and their agility to figure out the best way to quickly maneuver through the weave poles. Begin by walking ahead of your dog through the weave poles and have them follow you. Reward them frequently in between poles in the beginning. When they make it to the end, celebrate and reward them again. Eventually, have your GSD make more turns of the poles before the reward. Learn all about the right ways to exercise your German Shepherd for complete health and fitness. Your dog or puppy has many senses they need to use daily. They can see, hear, touch, smell, and think. Many dogs living in our modern, busy lives lack mental stimulation. In the wild, your dog would work alongside their pack or alone to track down prey using their senses. They would then plan an attack, using their mental abilities. Using all these senses during play helps your dog gain confidence in themselves and in their abilities. New experiences ignite portions of their brains to keep them engaged in their environments. An engaged dog is a happy, better-behaved dog! Include 2 or 3 new activities for your German Shepherd a week to begin. You ready for more? From nutrition tips to exercise tricks, this guide has it all. Trust me, your German Shepherd will be wagging their tail with joy! So, what are you waiting for? Grab your free guide now and continue fun adventures and activities with your German Shepherd! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. They are also very intelligent and need lots of mental stimulation. Many German shepherds are involved in dog sports, work in law enforcement, for the military, and other agencies. However, many more are simply family pets of those that love the breed. Playing games also fulfills another requirement of German shepherd ownership, which is spending lots of time with the dog. German shepherds require lots of socialization and companionship. As a herding dog, they were bred for their loyalty and ability to protect a herd. This characteristic causes them to form a strong bond with their owner and they do best spending time with their family. Some games that German shepherds love, will burn off some energy, and as a bonus give their brain a zap of dopamine are: 1. Fetch Although basic, German shepherds have a high prey drive and most love to play fetch. Playing fetch is also great because it burns off a lot of pent up energy. You can kick up fetch a notch by alternating toys or only using favorite toys. Try throwing a treat stuffed toy, Frisbee, plastic stick, and toys that bounce and tumble like Westpaw Zogoflex and Kongs. Hide and Seek Like the name implies, you hide a toy and your dog finds it. German Shepherds have scent receptors so they are naturally adept at this game. It is especially good for dogs that can no longer engage in high impact activities. For those that can, reward the dog by throwing the toy then hide it again. Urban Agility Urban agility is a noncompetitive fun sport that can accommodate nearly all dogs. You simply set up an obstacle course and balancing equipment in the yard and train your dog to weave, jump, balance, and more. There are urban agility trainers, books, articles, and YouTube videos to give you ideas on what your dog might enjoy. Tug Teach your dog to tug which means, tugging enthusiastically, releasing the tug toy, and bringing the tug back after you release it. Tug should be fun and exciting for both owner and dog and it can be used as a training tool, to burn off energy, as a reward, or just for fun. There is a huge variety of tugs on the market so no doubt there is a tug for all dogs. Search and Rescue This game reinforces the stay command and also challenges your dog. This game works well with more than one person who can help restrain the dog or when multiple hide. Nosework Teach your dog to find objects, food, or scents using essential oils. As your dog gains more confidence, you hide the scents in more challenging locations. You can learn more at the National Association for Canine Scent Work and there are books and videos available on the subject. This game is super rewarding because it is very mentally challenging. Pick Up Time You can teach your dog to pick up nearly any toy and drop it into any basket or box. This game is also useful for teaching your dog to pick up their own toys or other objects on command. Relatively easy to learn, this game is immediately rewarding and can continuously switch up as you teach your dog to pick up and put away new things. Have fun with these game ideas and be sure to share with your family and friends. Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. For the most part, you let the puppy decide his own activities at this stage. Your puppy, at this tender age, does not need exercise; he needs activity. Indoor play consists of informal activities in which you educate your German Shepherd to avoid dangerous behavior while satisfying his need to be active. At this stage, it is more about mental activity games and basic training as opposed to physical activity. This nifty little toy is excellent for young pups. Here are some low-impact games that are appropriate for a German Shepherd puppy at 8 weeks of age: Puppy the Explorer Let your GSD explore the indoors while keeping a close eye on him. This also presents an excellent opportunity to teach him to follow you. You must do this organically. Wait for him to get in his explorer mode and start walking beside him. Remember not to exceed a period of 10 minutes of exercise in the second month and stop whenever your pup shows signs of being tired. The minute mark is the maximum duration, not the minimum. Initially, your puppy will get tired after a few minutes of walking around and exploring. In each subsequent week, he will be engaged for a few more minutes. You might need to use jazz hands to get his curiosity. Once your pup starts following your palm with his head, simply tap his nose and hug him. At this point, you might be tempted to start moving your arm out of his reach to prolong the game. Follow the Wiggling Toy This is the ideal transition exercise that I would start around the tenth week of indoor play. For this, I recommend the Pacific Pups Rope Toys Set from Amazon, not just because it is budget-friendly but because you can use toys of different sizes as your German Shepherd puppy continues to grow. Once you have him sitting close to you, introduce the rope toy and place it on the floor with your hand holding onto one end. Your job then is to make sure he takes at least four steps before he catches the rope toy. Again, this is a high-engagement, low-impact exercise that builds up the foundation for medium-impact activities later on. Jaw and Bodyweight Exercises Recommended age: 3 — 4 months Maximum duration: minutes per day, twice a day Risk factor: low Things to avoid: sprints Your German Shepherd puppy is now three months old; he is building on his training according to the standard puppy training methods, and you can start to interact with him more physically. Still, his growth plates remain open, and you still need to avoid exercises that strain the joints, especially ones located around long bones like limbs. At the same time, your German Shepherd has more energy and may want to exercise more than is good for him. As a result, your role has shifted. Here, instead of letting your puppy have the toy once he follows it and grabs hold of it, you play a small tug of war with him. If your GSD is used to getting the toy after following it, he may get too defensive when you tug it. I recommended the toy set for this reason precisely. The final thing worth remembering about this game is that you always lose! You place the rope toy on the ground and let your German Shepherd puppy follow it as you move it around. Once he grabs hold of it, you use your arm strength to keep it in place. Do not try to pull it too hard. It is also essential that you gradually move up the tug of war in time and position. Gradually you can move the tug toy slightly above the ground. Throughout this, make sure your dog is on a leash because you do not want to encourage grabbing and dashing. Ultimately, you have to let your puppy win! As soon as you release the toy, he gets to have it for a while. This is also the best stage to train him to release objects on command. Make sure your GSD is on a long leash before you start this activity. Associating running with playtime is risky. A long loose leash allows you to bring him back to you gently. Be prepared to spend a lot of time negotiating with your GSD. I suggest playing tug before this because it builds trust. When you roll the ball on the floor, your puppy will get it. You cannot expect him to bring the toy to you. You simply tug the leash gently and bring him close to you. Then, you hold the ball in place. You should not pull it away. That will only cause your German Shepherd to bite down on it harder. When you have it firmly in place, your dog will try to wrestle it free but will eventually let the ball go. You can encourage this by just talking to him in a reassuring tone and using training treats. As soon as he lets go of the ball, put it on the ground and roll it. As GSDs take pleasure in high-engagement activities, the activity itself becomes a reward. In my experience, this will always be a mixed bag. Some dogs never stop giving pushback at the retrieval stage, while others let go of the ball the moment you extend your arm toward it. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Some owners have large yards and several family members that can help keep the dog busy, but it can be a struggle to keep finding something to do if there are only one or two people in your household. If this sounds like your situation, keep reading while we list several activities you can do with your German Shepherd to keep it happy and well behaved. Fetch Frisbee, ball, throwing toy Plenty of room Fetch is the most basic dog game that almost everyone knows. To play this game, all you need is a Frisbee, ball, or any toy that you can throw so your dog can chase it and bring it back. Balls and Frisbees work well because you can get a good distance with them, which will keep the dog more active. These toys can cause your dog to expend a large amount of energy in a short amount of time without you needing to put in a lot of effort. There are even accessories you can purchase to help you throw the ball further with less effort. The downside to this game is that you need a lot of room for the dog to run. To play this game, you only require a piece of rope with knots in it so you and the dog can get a grip. Many commercial ropes will work perfectly, and there are many varieties available, so you can find one that is comfortable to use. To play, let the dog grab one end with its teeth, and you take the other. It will also help your dog expend energy quickly, especially if you are in good health, and can make the dog work harder to keep the rope. It only requires a fraction of the space fetch does, but it does require considerable strength to play against a full-grown German Shepherd for more than a few minutes. Obstacle Training Obstacles Plenty of room Obstacle training can be a lot of fun for you and your dog. It will help your pet burn off excess energy quickly and sharpen your skills as a trainer. To play obstacle training, you will need plenty of room to set up obstacles. The obstacles can be anything, but we recommend starting with something simple like a piece of wood or a chair. Put the obstacle between you and the dog and call it toward you. If it jumps the barrier, give it a treat and try again. The downside to obstacle training is that it will go a lot easier for someone with experience training, and it can take up a lot of room in your yard if there are several obstacles. Wrestling Strength As strange as it may seem, wrestling is one of the best ways to bond with your German Shepherd because few other activities cause you to be in such close proximity with your attention focused on each other. The dog will climb all over you to try to get the ball, and you can flip your pup over gently to get the belly which will get it all riled up. It has a long pole that you hold. Attached to the pole is a long string that has a toy tied at the end. The toy usually squeaks, and you use it almost like a fishing pole to dangle the toy in front of the dog to get it to chase it. Our dogs get a lot of enjoyment from the Flirt Pole , and the only downside is that the dog chews them, so you will need to replace them every few weeks. Mind Games for German Shepherds 6. To get started, hide a treat in plain sight, then let your dog see you hide another behind a wall. Try a few more easy hides, and when your dog starts to catch on, you can make them a little more difficult. The easiest way to play this game is to wait until your dog is out of sight and then call them but quickly run and hide before they get there. When the dog arrives, they will be confused and begin to search for you and will usually continue looking until they find you. As the dog catches on, they will begin to check past hiding spots first, so you will need to be clever. Call your dog over and watch as they turn them over looking for the treat. As they get more skilled, they will find the treat faster, so you can add even more cups. Ring Stack Ring stacking toy If you have children or know someone that does, there is a good chance that you are familiar with the ring stacking toys for babies. You can also use these toys with your German Shepherd and learn to stack the rings in the right order with a little patience. The best way to play is to start with only a few rings and add more as your dog catches on. After some time, put the item on the floor and instruct your dog to fetch it. After several months, you will be amazed at how many items your dog knows by name. Some are extremely easy and only require the dog to step on a lever, while others are quite complex, requiring multiple steps to unlock the treat. It burns off excess energy extremely fast and helps keep your dog in top shape. The other games are all fun, but they take longer and require a bigger commitment of your time. Luckily, you can play as many games as you want, so you can play fetch every day and do some wrestling on your days off work. We hope you have enjoyed reading over this list and found the answers you need. If we have helped you keep your dog entertained, please share these eleven best games to play with your German Shepherd on Facebook and Twitter. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. Puppies German Shepherd puppies are incredibly playful. So how do you play with a German Shepherd puppy? This article will examine the best way to play and entertain your German Shepherd puppy, providing example games to play and activities to do. The best way to play with a German Shepherd puppy is through short bursts of low-impact physical activity. This will keep their growing bones and joints safe from injury and malformation. Additionally, play games that sharpen their motors skills and hone their natural abilities. All dogs have a maximum tolerance for exercise, and playtime counts towards that limit. Most will play for as long as you allow them. Thus, you need to pay attention and keep them from overexertion, especially during activities that involve plenty of physical movement. In general, young dogs should have two sessions of exercise per day where each session is about 5 minutes per month of age. So, a German Shepherd puppy of around 2 months old should only get 10 minutes of playtime twice a day while a 6-month-old pup can tolerate two minute sessions. By the time your GSD is a year old, they should be able to tolerate hour-long sessions of play or exercise. Keep in mind, however, that these are general guidelines. You need to keep an eye on your dog and determine their own tolerance to avoid serious consequences like overheating and overexertion. Like children, individual dogs have different preferences. Use play as a means to strengthen their motor skills, nurture their sense of curiosity, and build their confidence. The best toys for young German Shepherds are interactive ones that stimulate their senses. Especially exciting are treat dispensers and squeaky toys while teething toys provide tons of comfort. They also love balls that they can grasp and chase after. They also love playing with people and other animals. Doing this often will help prove each of these commands and ensure they will obey no matter the situation. Have fun with the Obedience Shuffle by randomly asking for each command and rewarding your dog every time they obey. Make it increasingly difficult for them by adding distractions in between. Hide-and-Seek Hide-and-Seek is an excellent game to play with your German Shepherd puppy because it requires some concentration, sniffing, and running. It also primes them to think of you as the best reward. To play this, ask your dog to stay while you hide. Release them from their stay position and respond with excitement and praises when they find you. Hide in easy-to-find spots at first and find more difficult hiding places as your pup picks up on the object of the game. You can start by keeping your pup in a down position as they watch you hide the treats. When they understand the point of the game, you can make it more challenging by keeping them in another room and letting them in only when all the treats are hidden. It also requires very little space and involves more concentration and nose work. To play the shell game, take 3 cups and some treats, and sit across from your dog. Place the cups upside down on the floor and keep a treat under only one. Shuffle the cups before arranging them in a row. Turn over the first one your pup touches. If they get the right one, let them have the treat. If not, re-shuffle the cups and play again. Find-and-Retrieve Find-and-Retrieve is not just a game of obedience and concentration. This game involves teaching your dog the proper names of things, finding those things on command, and handing them over to you. To play this game, start by teaching your dog the name of one toy. Then, make the game more difficult by asking them to retrieve the ball from other places. Here are other things you can do to interact with your puppy, strengthen your bond, and help them to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally: Walking Walking can be a good way for your GSD pup to learn more about the world outside of your home. Allow young pups to walk at their own pace and try not to be too harsh on the lead. Let them stop to sniff and interact with whatever they might find interesting. This will form a huge part of their socialization. German Shepherds typically like water if they are exposed to it and learn how fun it can be. Swimming is also an excellent way to have fun with your growing dog since it is easy on the bones and joints. Being in water will also help strengthen muscles for even better skeletal development. Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys for dogs are not only excellent for mental stimulation but also for independent play. Depending on the toy, it could also help prime your German Shepherd for nose work, combat boredom, and control their impulses. They can compete in these companion sports as early as 6 months old or you can simply join local clubs to engage in these activities for fun. This helps avoid issues like hip and elbow dysplasia in the future. Until your German Shepherd has developed into adulthood, you should generally avoid activities that involve plenty of jumping. Staircases and other steep angles are safe enough for regular use but not as a means to exercise. Additionally, when running or walking, opt for turf and soil rather than concrete. Final Thoughts Discovering the best ways to play with your German Shepherd puppy will help you develop a strong bond and learn to communicate with one another. These games will also help stimulate their intellect and develop a love for learning. Learning how to discipline your GSD puppy correctly will teach them to respect your leadership and stay on their best behavior.

Related services:

oklahoma boxer puppies for sale - Conclusion How do Goldendoodles react to being alone? Goldendoodles are renowned for their sociability. This pup is grown to treat their family as their pack, so they behave the same way with their human family. They have multiple traits that qualify them for being the perfect family dog for first-time owners. This breed is nothing but friendly, loving, loyal, and incredibly intelligent. Their low maintenance nature and quick learning are what make them adapt quickly to any environment. Goldendoodles are the most laidback pups you can interact with. They go with the flow and can settle and enjoy in any situation. So, these adaptable pups can definitely be left alone at home for a few hours. This also comes into play when you plan to leave them at home for prolonged hours. So, leaving them alone at home may not be as hard for them as it could be for you! Can I leave my Goldendoodle puppy alone? While adult Goldendoodles can adapt to living alone for some time, the same cannot be said for Goldendoodle puppies. The maximum amount you can leave your puppy at home is maybe 4 hours. This is because extended periods of loneliness may trigger your pup to have certain conditions that may affect their livelihood over time. This is because this loving puppy can grow incredibly attached to their owners, which results in dependency on their presence at all times. Separation anxiety can cause your pup to be destructive, be agitated, and bark aggressively. They need to relieve themselves every few hours, so if you leave them without guidance, there may be a disaster all over your house. So, how can I leave my Golden doodle puppy at home? In some situations, leaving your puppy at home cannot be avoided. In that case, you should prepare for the situation by taking the following options into consideration. This will not only make you feel safe, leaving your pup at home with someone trustworthy but also make your dog feel like they have some company. These professionals can definitely handle your pup for a few hours with extreme care and love. This will help your puppy fall right to sleep when you get back home and get dinner done for them. So, you can quickly go out for the night while your Goldendoodle sleeps away peacefully. By following through with all these steps, you will not only be relaxed when heading out but also make your Goldendoodle feel relaxed. These steps will help familiarize your pup with the idea of staying alone at home. They can also train your dog to be self-sufficient and independent. Start shorter, extend over time The first and perhaps the most critical step you need to take is to gradually ensure your pup adjusts to the time left alone. So, start small and extend the period over time. You can start by leaving your pup home alone for 2 hours and then gradually increase the time by 30 minutes. This will make sure that your pup is safe from external threats. Additionally, the indoor environment can help the Goldendoodlefeel relax and comfortable and help them feel reassured. Comfort is necessary Being comfortable is vital for a good time, and the same applies to your Goldendoodle. Make sure that the pup has immediate access to food, water, and the toilet. Always stock up on snacks and water for your Goldendoodlebefore, leaving the house. Goldendoodles will require regular grooming and upkeep. Give safe distracting puzzles toys Put soft stuffed toys and puzzles next to your pup. Toys can be destroyed and become a danger! A reasonably indestructible chew toy is a Kong. You can stuff a Kong and freeze it — giving a hour long distraction as your dog unravels the treats. Distracting toys that make sounds or have lights can keep your pup engaged for hours. Additionally, dog-friendly puzzles prove to be an interactive way to distract your intelligent Goldendoodle. These toys will undoubtedly keep them distracted from your absence at home. Make sure that your pup is relaxed and relieved of any and every energy they might have in them. This will get them tired and most likely to fall asleep as soon as you leave. Avoid hyping your pup up before leaving the house. The more energy they have, the more chaotic the aftermath could be. So, you should take them out for a walk or play with them an hour before you need to leave. Create a calm environment Creating a relaxing environment for your Goldendoodle is essential in calming them down before you leave. Keep the ambiance low and soothing, and refrain from leaving your pup in pitch-black darkness. This will scare your Goldendoodle or trigger them. However, steer clear from strobe lights as they might make your dog get hyper or make them anxious. Consider a quiet radio or Spotify playlist Leave on some soft and calming music or podcasts in the background. This will make the pup believe that there is someone at home, and that idea alone can help with their separation anxiety. However, do not leave the TV on for them. The television can be visually engaging for your pup and may cause them to be hyper. So, opt for radios or playlists instead to ensure a calm and soothing environment. Teacup Labradoodles are a miniature size petite dog. They can be easily carried around even as full grown Teacup Goldendoodles. They can assure that your dog is properly cared for and make your Goldendoodle feel safe and comfortable and limit separation anxiety. Can Goldendoodles be left alone in a crate? Crates are an excellent choice for trained pups if you intend to keep your dog at home for a little while. However, the container should never be used as a toilet, and keeping them locked in for a long time will result in discomfort. We suggest investing in an open crate for your Goldendoodle or building an indoor fenced area. Conclusion So, to answer your query, yes, you can definitely leave your Goldendoodle at home if you keep a few things in mind. Good luck! My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Can You Leave a Goldendoodle Alone? July 31, About Goldendoodles Some dog breeds do not do well when they are left by themselves. They might get depressed, anxious, or nervous. They might bark, whimper, and whine. Some dogs may destroy your house or yard, or try to escape when left by themselves. Goldendoodles are one of the most sociable and friendly dog breeds, but they are also adaptable; you can leave a Goldendoodle alone without worry. The time away from your adorable Goldendoodle will be harder on you than on your Goldendoodle! They learn quickly, they are low maintenance, and they get along well with everyone. Goldendoodles are also good at adapting to their environment. Some dogs require a lot of special attention and accommodation in order to stay happy. However, Goldendoodles go with the flow. They are fun-loving dogs that enjoy themselves in almost any setting and any situation. Whether you enjoy an active lifestyle of biking, paddling, and hiking, you love entertaining guests and hosting dinner parties, or your idea of fun involves a night on the couch with a great movie, Goldendoodles can quickly adjust to match the speed of your lifestyle. Goldendoodles are friendly and loving without being dependent. They love being social, but they are also fine with solitude. Make sure that your dog has toys to chew on and play with. Dogs eventually learn to sleep, rest, or relax while their family is away, but you want them to have something other than your shoes, trash, or furniture to play with if they get bored. Walk or play with your dog before you leave the house. Also be sure to walk or play with your dog when you get home. Dogs need physical activity every single day in order to stay happy and healthy, just like people. Make sure your yard is safe if you leave your dog outside. Close and latch the gate, and make sure that there are no gaps or holes where your dog could escape. Also, take steps to prevent pet theft. If your dog has to be alone for longer than six hours — especially if your dog must stay indoors — you might want to consider signing him up for doggy day care. Alternatively, you can find a way to check on your dog during the day: come home during a lunch break, find a friend, neighbor or relative to let your dog out, hire a dog walker or sitter. As a cross between Golden Retrievers and Poodles, these dogs offer the best of both worlds and possess the best qualities of both breeds. Their numerous positive qualities make them good choices for therapy dogs, service dogs, companion dogs, and family pets. The result was a dog that became popular almost overnight and continues to win popularity contests wherever they are. Getting a Goldendoodle puppy may seem like an easy choice, but many people work long hours, which leaves little time for caring for a dog. Can Goldendoodle puppies be left alone? If so, how soon and for how long? With good preparation, Goldendoodle puppies can be left alone for a certain length of time. Although they probably will be a bit unsure when left alone, this gets better with time. Like children though, it is important for them to adjust and adapt to these situations. Everything you need to raise the dog of your dreams, all in one place. Grab your copy today! Both Golden Retrievers and Poodles are dogs that enjoy being around their people and tend to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. Learn more about the beautiful Golden Retriever here. Although Goldendoodles typically do better when there is someone home with them, they can be left home alone for several hours with proper preparation and training. If your Goldendoodle is still a puppy, an hour or two is the maximum amount they should be left alone. My Dog Chachi, who is around 7 months old now, was really great at being alone. I think we were more stressed than he was! Also, he was well on his way to being potty trained. Lots of comfort items around, like his bed, crate, chew toys these are the best — such a bargain! No products found. If the dog is an adult dog, he can be left alone for several hours. Most dog owners with full-time jobs work are gone from 8 to 10 hours with commuting time added in. Not sure what to look for when selecting a crate? No worries. This article lays it all out for you. Need one right away? This double-door crate comes with a divider allows the crate to grow with your pup , collapses easily for storage or transport, features a removable bottom tray, and is quite reasonably priced. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to come to your home and let the dog out for a bit. How Many Hours is Too Many? The maximum number of hours a dog should be left alone depends on the dog, the age of the dog, the environment, and if the dog is in a crate or given free rein of the home. If the Goldendoodle is a puppy being left in a crate, avoid leaving him in more than two or three hours. If the dog is an adult left loose in the house, he can be left alone for up to 12 hours. Get Your Copy Today! There may be people in your neighborhood that provide dog walking services or dog-sitting services. There are also professional services that will send someone to your home to take your dog out for a walk or spend some quality time with the dog. While this may not be the ideal solution, you may want to consider getting a second dog. Your dog will not be as lonely if he has a companion with which to play or sleep. We examine the pros and cons of having two dogs in this article. Things to Make Alone Time Easier for Your Goldendoodle When you put your Goldendoodle in the crate, put in some chew toys or treats that you know he enjoys. Goldendoodles love and need mental stimulation. Be sure to check with our Ultimate Guide to Mental Stimulation to learn the many benefits mental stimulation provides and for creative ideas for giving your dog a mental workout. Leaving him with interactive puzzles or treat-stuffed toys will occupy his mind and keep his mind off being alone. Coming up short on ideas? This sliding tile puzzle features 28 hidden treat compartments and sliding tiles to keep your dog entertained for a long time. Best of all, there are no removable pieces that could be dangerous. Just drop a few pieces of kibble in all the compartments and let your dog figure out how to move the tiles in order to get to the goodies. Most dogs love Kongs for chewing, chasing across the floor, and playing fetch, but when you stuff one with peanut butter, yogurt, small dog bones, or whatever your dog enjoys, you have a guaranteed winner. They last practically forever, serve multiple purposes, and are super affordable. Check Price on Amazon As soon as you return and let him out of the crate, remove the toys or treats and put them away. For us, when we give Chachi either a Milk Bone or Greenie , he just naturally takes it away to his little bean bag and eats it there. This is our queue to leave the house. Goldendoodles are fairly active and need lots of daily exercise. Find out how much is recommended here. A bored dog often becomes a destructive dog. Do Goldendoodles Like to Be in a Crate? In Conclusion It is a good idea that they are trained before being left alone for any length of time to minimize issues that may arise from stress, anxiety, boredom, or curiosity. Certain dog breeds, including the Goldendoodle. This health issue can cause stress and anxiety as well as unsavory behaviors in dogs that suffer. Potential pet parents seeking a gentle and loving companion animal that can spend a little bit of time alone while they are away will be delighted with this dog breed. The Goldendoodle is a hybrid dog that originated from the combination of two distinct purebred dogs the Poodle and the Golden Retriever. They were bred to be companion animals, so they thrive best in homes where they can play an active role in a family or be right beside an individual or loved one. This type of scenario allows their character and personality to shine and keeps them happy and thriving. Their nature and personality are gentle, loving, sweet, and affectionate. Their personality is low-key and easy-going, making it easy for their family or owner to leave them at home for a bit while they go out. While the Goldendoodle may be less than thrilled about this, they will tolerate it with the same laid-back attitude that they do everything else. Proper training is essential before any dog, regardless of the breed, is left home alone. Obedience training will teach the Goldendoodle what is okay and not okay behaviors. This training will start them off on the right foot when they need to be home alone for a little bit. Proper planning is always necessary when leaving any dog home alone, Goldendoodle or otherwise. Many factors determine if a dog, regardless of the breed, should be left home alone. Of course, breeding factors in determining whether a Goldendoodle can be left home alone. Certain breeds can struggle with anxiety, stress, and separation issues that make it hard for them to be left home alone. The Goldendoodle is one of those breeds. They are a breed that can struggle with separation issues that can cause problems if left unmanaged. With proper training and preparation, they might not enjoy being left home alone, but they can manage this for a little bit. Personality is by far the most important aspect of determining if a Goldendoodle can be left home alone. Questions can be asked to determine how well they will handle this, they include: Do they get bored easily? Are they very curious? How do they handle being left in another room or a short distance away? Are they destructive in any way? These other questions can help determine what type of personality they have and how they will handle being left alone. Age is a critical factor in whether a Goldendoodle can be left home alone. Puppies have many needs. There can be many issues that arise in a short period with a pup alone in the house. Senior Goldendoodles and those that suffer from illness or injury can also be tough to leave home alone. Their existing health issues can require more frequent care and responsibility. This can make it hard for them to be left home alone for long periods of time. The home environment plays a role in whether a Goldendoodle can be left home alone. The home must be safe and healthy for them to live in while the owner or family member is gone. What type of planning should I do if I want to leave my Goldendoodle home alone? The first step in planning to leave a Goldendoodle home alone is to ensure that the house is safe and healthy. Depending on where the Goldendoodle will be staying, certain areas will need to be made dog safe. Trash might need to be removed from the places they will be staying. Furniture should be safe, so they cannot knock anything over while their owner is away. Puzzle toys are a great option for a curious Goldendoodle. If the time they spend alone will be at night, leaving on safe and soft lighting can be soothing. From a crate, you could also create a small play space where they are allowed to roam while you are gone and work up to leaving them out so they have access to their food, toys and room to just be! Exercise your pup before you leave, take them on a walk or outside in the backyard to run around and play with them giving them lots of attention before you leave to wear them out so they will be tired for a while. A general rule of thumb is that dogs need around 60 minutes of exercise a day, so try giving them minutes at least before you leave and then the rest when you get home! You may also want to invest in a doggy cam so you can check up on them throughout the day. If the separation is to be longer than a few hours, it is best to have someone check in on the Goldendoodle to ensure that they are healthy, happy, and safe. This breed can struggle with separation anxiety making them prone to emotional issues when their loved ones go away and leave them behind at home. And when you get back home, consider spending some extra time and attention on the Goldendoodle, especially if they were alone for a long time. Take them on a good walk and play a few games to get that energy out. Keep an eye out for any signs of separation anxiety in your dog so you can treat that as necessary. You can help your dog with this anxiety by the training above, getting professional help, and possibly medication prescribed by your vet if problems persist despite training. Separation anxiety is an emotional issue in a dog where they have a hard time being away from their loved ones or caregivers. Dogs can exhibit negative behaviors from the added stress that the situation causes them. Some breeds suffer more than others. The Goldendoodle dog breed can and does suffer from this emotional condition. Proper planning, ritual, and a backup plan can help create the right environment for their happiness. Time and a pattern that allows the Goldendoodle to understand and know what is coming can help them adjust more comfortably to this situation. How is Isolation Distress Described? Isolation distress refers to the conditions that affect dogs that fear being left alone at any specific time. They prefer to be around other creatures. The dog will not be fussy and would be comfortable even when left with a cat, a fellow dog, or a human being. On the other hand, dogs with separation anxiety must be around people or humans. It is not just any human, but once they have bonded and formed a close relationship. Their stress levels will continue to rise despite being left in the care of other people until their returns. What can be done if my Goldendoodle hates being left alone? There are quite a few things that can be done when leaving an unhappy Goldendoodle home alone. Proper planning is necessary, but so is a routine or ritual followed each time the owner or family leaves home and the dog. It can be as simple as sitting for some snuggle time right before leaving, offering some soothing words and a hug goodbye followed by a treat or two. Whatever method is used, it should be done consistently so the dog comes to understand and know what is coming. With time and patience, they will know when certain words or a particular series of events happen that next, they will be home alone. It can, however, minimize the potential for problems. Having multiple tricks and methods will help each family or individual determine what works best for their Goldendoodle. Each dog is unique and will respond to what works best for their emotional and physical needs. Talk to their customers and see how happy they are with their service. Spend time with them with your dog to see how they interact. Make sure to exchange contact info so they can always reach you in case of an emergency. Before you leave your dog to be taken on walks consider the following: Their tags are up to date Inform walker of any issues beforehand any behavioral issues on walks such as if they pull, try to run away, are aggressive towards other dogs etc. Leave route instructions if needed, any places needing to be avoided aggressive neighborhood dog etc. Ask questions such as their rules and regulations for breaking up dog fights, giving dogs breaks, sanitation, hours etc. Can mini Goldendoodles be left alone? Miniature Goldendoodles can stay home alone for a few hours. Because of their smaller size, they will need to be let outside to go potty more frequently than standard Goldendoodles, but a well-trained mini should still be able to make it up to 8 hours. If the Mini Goldendoodle is a puppy and not trained to use the bathroom in a designated place, then they should be left in their cage or playpen instead of roaming around the house. Leaving a mini Goldendoodle alone is much the same as leaving a standard one. However, these smaller dogs have smaller bladders and therefore cannot hold their potty breaks for as long as larger dogs. You may find it more difficult to train your mini Goldendoodle to hold it in for long periods of time. But other than that, the process for leaving your mini Goldendoodle home alone is much the same as for standards. In Conclusion Being alone is hard for everyone, dogs, and humans alike. The loneliness and boredom a dog feels can happen fast, just as soon as their owner closes the door. If we take a moment to reverse the roles and see how much they depend on us for every aspect of their life, we can understand how our family pets must feel. Proper planning and a few tricks can make it easier for a Goldendoodle to be left home alone for a long period of time every once in a while. Thankfully, most of us that have one of these fur babies for a family member will find it hard to stay away for too long anyway. They will be waiting with lots of love to share as soon as you return! For dogs such as Doodles that are so loving, faithful, and friendly, being away from their human family can be stressful, especially in the early days and months. Why Goldendoodles Hate Being Left Alone All dogs are natural pack creatures that do best when living in a group or pack. Every pack has a natural hierarchy within which every dog knows its place. When a member of the pack leaves, even temporarily, the other dogs get anxious and insecure because the familiar order has changed. Your Goldendoodle regards you as the pack leader. As pack leader, you provide your dog with food, shelter, direction, and security. So, when you leave your Goldendoodle alone, he might have issues with separation anxiety. What Is Separation Anxiety? Most dogs with this condition follow their owner around the home, refusing to be separated from them for even a few minutes. Usually, dogs with separation anxiety begin to show signs of stress as soon as they realize that their owner is planning to go out without them. Common separation anxiety behaviors include: Excessive barking or howling. Destructive behaviors, such as chewing items of furniture, damaging wall coverings, even chewing through wooden doors! Defecating and urinating in the home or crate, even though the dog is potty trained. Sometimes, separation anxiety is confused with another condition called isolation distress. These dogs need to have another creature around to keep them company. That could be another dog, the family cat, or a member of the human family. Goldendoodles are generally pretty chilled-out dudes that can cope with being left home alone for a bit of time once they have been acclimated to your regular routine. Most adult dogs are okay with being left for a while, as long as they know that you will come back to them. However, there are some practical things to consider when deciding how long you can reasonably leave your Goldendoodle home alone. So, how long can a Goldendoodle hold its bladder? As a general rule of thumb, a healthy adult Goldendoodle of over 18 months of age should be able to hold on for up to six hours maximum before he needs to pee. You should not expect your dog to wait to relieve himself for longer than that! Can Goldendoodles Be Left Outside? Some dog breeds, such as Siberian Huskies , are content to be left outside while their owner is out at work. Goldendoodles do not like to be kept outside. Secondly, as previously mentioned, the Doodle is prone to separation anxiety, and they need to be with their family as much as possible. For example, many pups enjoy destroying things, such as your cushions, shoes, even chewing wooden skirtings and doors. A naughty Goldendoodle might even mark your floor coverings out of frustration by urinating on them! Confinement Anxiety Also, some dogs suffer from confinement anxiety. Confinement anxiety is a similar condition to claustrophobia in humans. If your Goldendoodle suffers from confinement anxiety, it would be cruel to shut him in a crate, even for a short period. Goldendoodle puppies are like children in that they do best when settled into a routine. That way, you can let your puppy out regularly for potty stops. When your puppy is older, you can leave him alone at home in the secure, safe environment of his crate for very short periods, gradually extending that time so that your pet gets used to being left by himself when you need to go out. How Soon And How Long? That could seriously stress the little guy in the very early days in his new home. A puppy aged between two and three months can be left alone for longer, up to around two hours. Puppies aged four months can wait for around four hours, so you can leave them alone for up to that length of time. After that age, you can leave your puppy for a little longer, but never for more than six hours at a stretch. Exercise Your Goldendoodle! Goldendoodles are energetic dogs that need plenty of daily exercise to keep them healthy and happy both mentally and physically. Before you leave your furry friend at home alone, taking him out for a walk or playing fetch in your backyard can help your dog to relax and settle down when you go out. So, if possible, give your Goldendoodle something to eat half an hour or so before you leave. Potty Break A few minutes before you leave, take your Goldendoodle outside for a potty break. Something familiar can help to relax your dog, especially if that item smells of you. Work From Home If possible and practical, ask your employee if you might be permitted to work from home for a few days or hours per week. The Covid pandemic has seen many people being forced to work from their home office. That strategy has generally worked very well for employers and employees, so many organizations are content to continue with that now that lockdowns are easing. Take Your Dog To Work! These days, many companies recognize the positive effects of their staff bringing their pets to work with them. In fact, commercial giant, Amazon has over 7, dogs in their employ! Depending on what kind of business you work in, taking your Goldendoodle to work every day might be an option for you. Come Home For Lunch If you live close enough to where you work, you can save yourself some cash and solve the problem of leaving your Doodle home alone by coming home for your lunch break. So, enjoy lunch with your dog and give him a comfort break before you go back to work. Doggy Daycare Goldendoodles are happy, friendly dogs that usually get along fine with other pups. Your pet will be supervised, fed, exercised, and can enjoy a happy time playing with his new furry friends. Hire A Dog Sitter For dogs that suffer from isolation distress, hiring a dog sitter can work very well. Ask A Friend To Check In On Your Pet If you have a dog-loving friend or neighbors who are also pet parents, you could ask them to check in on your Goldendoodle from time to time during the day. Your friend could even bring their own canine companion, too, for a mini doggy playdate. In Conclusion Did you enjoy our guide to leaving your Goldendoodle home alone? If you did, please share. On average, you can leave a Goldendoodle over 18 months of age home alone for a maximum of six hours. That alone time might be less for senior dogs and for those with health conditions that affect their bladder control. When it comes to leaving puppies alone, it depends on the age of the pup and his capacity to hang on before needing to relieve himself. Generally, an eight to ten-week-old Goldendoodle puppy can last for only one hour. Two to three-month-old puppies can usually wait for two hours, and four to eight-month-old pups should be able to wait for around four hours. Tell us your strategy in the comments box below! Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. Leave a Comment. Most Goldendoodles enjoy some independence and do just fine when left alone. If your dog is properly trained and is used to you leaving them alone, then they will likely have no problems. But some dogs may suffer from separation anxiety, which can manifest itself in destructive chewing, barking, howling, whining, or going to the bathroom inside the house. Fortunately, my dog, Bailey never did this. If you are sure your Goldendoodle is suffering from separation anxiety, you should seek the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviourist. Don't try to fix the problem yourself with outdated methods such as "letting them cry it out", as you could make it worse. Yes, your Goldendoodle puppy can be left alone, but depending how old it is, will determine how long you can leave it. So, if your Goldendoodle puppy is 2 months old, it can be left alone for up to 2 hours. If it is 3 months old, it can be left alone for 3 hours and so on. But keep in mind, this is just a guideline and your puppy might not tolerate being left alone for that long. It also depends on if your puppy uses pads or is already potty trained. If they are not potty trained , you will need to come home more frequently to let them out to go to the bathroom. What I did with Bailey when I got him as a week-old puppy, was I started leaving him alone for 1 minute, then 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and so on. If he was doing well, I would start to leave him for 30 minutes to an hour. Building up this independence gradually will help your puppy become more comfortable with being left alone and reduce the chances of developing separation anxiety. Separation Anxiety in Goldendoodles Separation Anxiety is when a dog experiences anxiety or stress when left alone. It doesn't matter if there are other people or animals in the house, as long as you're not there, they get anxious and can even show destructive behaviors. COVID puppies are dogs that were adopted during the pandemic when everyone was forced to stay home. And since their Goldendoodle owners were home all day, the puppy never learned how to be independent and develop confidence by themselves. Now that things are slowly returning back to normal and people are going back to work, these COVID puppies are having a hard time being left alone and are developing separation anxiety. So, if you adopted your Goldendoodle during the pandemic, make sure to give them plenty of time to get used to being by themselves before leaving them for long periods of time. Isolation Distress in Goldendoodles Isolation distress is different from separation anxiety in that your dog is fine as long as there is someone in the house, it doesn't matter who. But as soon as everyone leaves, they start to feel anxious. This is common in puppies and young dogs that have never been left alone before and need time to adjust. How long you can leave your Goldendoodle puppy alone matters on its age months and where you are in the process of giving it alone time. Puppies 8 weeks and younger shouldn't be left alone for more than 30 minutes. Goldendoodle Puppies 3 to 6 months old can be left alone for 1 to 3 hours. And puppies 6 to 12 months old can be left for 4 to 6 hours. Keep in mind, these are just guidelines and your puppy might not be able to tolerate being left alone for that long and might need more frequent potty breaks. It's important to start with shorter periods of time 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour and gradually increase it as your puppy gets more comfortable. No, you shouldn't leave your Goldendoodle alone outdoors. Goldendoodles are not the types of dogs that can be left outside by themselves for long periods of time. Dogs are social creatures and need companionship. They need to be around people to feel comfortable and secure. When you leave them alone outdoors, they feel isolated and anxious. Unless you have a big yard for them to run around in for an hour or two, it's best to keep them indoors. No dogs should really be left outside all day, regardless of the breed. Usually, lazy people who don't want to take care of their dogs will do this. If your Goldendoodle is correctly crate trained, you can leave them alone there for a few hours. However, just like anything, this should be done gradually. Start with 1 hour and work up to 5 or 6 hours as your puppy gets more comfortable being in the crate. The crate shouldn't be a way to punish them. It is a confined space where they can feel safe and can go on their own too. It's also a way to keep them safe when you can't watch them. A Goldendoodle puppy can hold its bladder for 1 hour for every month old they are. So, a 3-month-old puppy can go for 3 hours without going to the bathroom. When Bailey was about 5 months old, he could easily keep it in for the whole night while we were sleeping and didn't need a potty break at all. An adult Goldendoodle can hold its bladder for 8 hours. It really depends on how you potty trained them and how often they go outside to relieve themselves. Tips and Guidance for Leaving Your Goldendoodle Alone There are a few things that you can do to make leaving your Goldendoodle alone a little easier for both of you: 1. Practice Leaving Your Goldendoodle Alone The most important thing you must do is to practice leaving your Goldendoodle alone. As I mentioned in this article before, there are a lot of COVID puppies who haven't had a chance to experience being left alone yet. Start with short periods of time while you're home. First, just go to another room and come back. Then go to another room, close the door, make some noise and come back. Work up the time to the first 1 minute, then 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, 20 minutes and so on. When your puppy is comfortable with you being in another room and doesn't whine, start leaving the house for short periods of time. First, just step outside and come back in. Then step outside, close the door and come back in. Desensitize them to the sound of the door closing. You want to make it as uneventful as possible. Don't say goodbye to your puppy or make a big deal out of it when you arrive back. Work up the time you're gone to first 1 minute, then 5 minutes, then 10 minutes and so on. Once you reach the minute threshold, you can step it up to an hour and then a few hours. It's important that you do this daily so your puppy gets used to it and knows that you will always come back. Tire Your Dog Out A tired dog is a good dog. This is especially true for puppies. You want to make sure that your puppy is tuckered out before you leave them alone. This way, they're more likely to take a nap while you're gone. Dogs need to tire out physically and mentally before you leave the house to make sure they don't get too anxious. For the physical part, take them on a long walk or run. For the mental part, you can do training with a clicker that makes them think. For example, place two bottles on the floor and only give them a treat and a click once they touched the right one. You can easily tire out a dog mentally in mins with this kind of exercise. Just act like it's any other day and you're going to work or run errands. The same goes for when you come back home. Don't greet your puppy right away or make too much of a fuss about it. Just simply walk in, put your things down, wait a few minutes until they calm down and then you can greet them. What happens when you make a big scene when you leave is like you are winding up a toy. Your dog gets more and more excited and anxious and the second you leave, that is when they blow up. Just think about it, in their natural environment, would their mother make a big scene when she leaves them? No, she would just leave. Do the same! I know it's hard, I always want to cuddle Bailey when I leave, but it's better for him to just stay calm. Create a Calm and Safe Environment When you're leaving your puppy alone, you want to make sure that they're in a calm and safe environment. One good trick I do is turn on the radio and the TV so there's some noise in the background. This way, it doesn't feel so quiet and empty for Bailey when I leave. Also, make sure their cage is open so they can go in and out if you don't want them to stay there while you are gone. Also, leave a few toys around for them that they can chew on. Try Puzzle Toys or a Frozen Kong To keep your puppy entertained while you're gone, try giving them a puzzle toy or filling up a Kong with some dog food and freezing it. This way, they have to work for their food and it keeps them occupied for a little bit. There are a ton of Kong Toys out there, that you can stuff with treats, kibble or even peanut butter. Consider Doggy Daycare or a Dog Sitter If you're going to be gone for a long time or if you just don't feel comfortable leaving your puppy alone yet, consider a doggy daycare or hiring a dog sitter. Doggy daycare is a great option for them to socialize, but it shouldn't be the first time they encounter other dogs as it can be overwhelming. A dog sitter is a great option if you want someone to come over and check on your puppy, take them on walks or just play with them. You can find a reputable dog sitter or dog walker on websites like Rover. Just think about how it would feel for you if you're hungry and someone locks you in a room for hours. Not fun, right? The same goes for your puppy. They need to have a full stomach so they're not too anxious while you're gone. You also want to make sure that they have access to fresh water at all times. Can Goldendoodle Puppies be Left Alone? Yes, goldendoodle puppies can be left alone, depending on how old they are. The simple formula is if your puppy is for example 3 months old, they can be left alone for 3 hours. However, all puppies are different so make sure your puppy is comfortable with being left alone. Conclusion Leaving your Goldendoodle home alone doesn't have to be a stressful experience for you or your puppy. By following the tips above, you can make sure that your puppy is safe, entertained and well-fed while you're gone. Do you have any other tips on how to leave a Goldendoodle home alone? Share them in the comments below! In general, dogs are incredibly social animals and are hardwired with a pack mentality. We can gather this information simply by observing wolves, dingoes and other wild dog species that live in tight-knit family groups with complex social lives and hierarchies. The domestic dog was slowly bred down from these wild counterparts to be even more companion-oriented so as to be able to work closely with his master performing many useful jobs such as herding and hunting. Despite most dogs no longer having dedicated jobs, today in the 21st century, we often ask a lot more of our dogs. We want them to be our best friends and closest companions and yet allow us to work full time. We want them to be the very best snugglers on the couch while we watch Netflix, but we also want them to be calm, well-behaved indoors while we are gone for hours at a time. This is quite the psychological challenge for our dear furry friends, but one that they can overcome if we set them up for success from a young age. Poodles, and therefore doodles, are known for being incredibly people-oriented and intelligent. They have often been described as almost humanlike in both their overall smarts and emotional intuition. The result is the most devoted companion you could ever ask for, but again, the downside is that this is not a breed that is content to be left alone for the entire day. The typical doodle will want to be with you in any room of the house — often waiting for you outside of the shower, following you to the bathroom, etc. To have a happy, well-behaved doodle, an owner must be prepared to spend time with their pup and should not be surprised that their doodle prefers to be at their feet or on their lap all day every day. The good news is that doodles are highly trainable and adaptable. So as long as you train them to be alone from an early age, they can adapt to your schedule within reason. When it comes to leaving a puppy alone, we strongly recommend crate training Puppies need to be confined in a safe area when away from their owners as they are prone to getting themselves into all sorts of trouble. Chewing on electrical cords, eating plants, or swallowing tiny objects all seem like great ideas to the 8-week-old puppy mind! Keeping your puppy in a kennel while you are gone not only keeps them safe, but when utilized correctly, the crate actually feels like a safe, cozy place to your pup and will help keep him calm and at rest when he must be left alone. Please note that early introduction to crate training is critical. Finding a breeder who exposes a puppy to crates and individual time before they go home definitely puts your pup one step ahead with crate training. At Jenna Lee Designer Doodles, we begin crate introduction when our pups are 3 weeks old. By the time they go home at 8 weeks, each pup spends an hour in their kennel alone daily. Assuming your pup has been properly introduced and feels comfortable in and around their kennel see our article on crate training for tips! You want to consider their potty needs as well as social and energy needs, both of which are greater now than they will be when your pup is an adult. For an week old pup, we often recommend starting with hours in their kennel at a time. At weeks of age puppies have very small bladders so they need to potty at least that often during the day. So short play sessions followed by short naps work best. The good news is that puppies grow up fast. By the time they are weeks old, your pup can stretch his alone time to 3 hours. And by weeks of age, hours is attainable. During this puppy phase, make sure your pup has frequent access to water throughout the day before you plan to leave him for a longer period of time so that he avoids drinking a whole bowl of water right before kennel time! And of course, a potty break right before you leave is critical. He will still have a lot of energy, but he will be able to go for more sustained periods of exercise and settle down for longer periods of time. We do not recommend leaving a doodle, no matter how old, alone for longer than hours at a time. As a high energy, social breed, doodles need at least some kind of interaction and activity half-way through a full work day. Coming home for your lunch break to play fetch with your pup, hiring a dog walker, or sending your pup to doggy daycare to play with some four-legged friends, are all options frequently utilized by full time employees. As social, energetic animals, how and when you give your pup alone time matters when it comes to his contentment and avoiding separation anxiety. One important factor is an appropriate amount of exercise. A tired pup will be much more willing to relax and nap when alone than a pup who has pent up energy. Doodles are moderately active dogs and need daily exercise — especially when they are young. Another way to help your dog accept being home alone is giving him something to do while he is in his crate. There are a number of long-lasting chews, puzzle toys, and snuffle mats that can occupy your doodle for at least some of the time you are away. Finally, make sure that when you are at home with your pup, you are meeting his social needs by spending quality time with him. Doodles tend to love affection as well as play time. We also recommend sleeping with your doodle in the same room as you. Dogs thrive on predictable routines, so with a little practice and training, your pup will soon adapt to being on his own for part of the day. Can Goldendoodles be Left Alone? If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. And for good reason! Based on our ongoing survey results , there is no definitive answer. As of November 29, , we have received total responses to our Doodle Characteristics Survey. The data you see below pertains only to Goldendoodles responses. About the Graphs The graphs below are updated in real-time as people submit their responses to the survey. All ratings are based on a scale from Poor to Excellent. Each graph is interactive so you can hover over the sections on a computer or tap on the sections on a mobile device for more info. On mobile devices, the graphs might look cut off, but you can use your finger to tap and drag to scroll and see the full graph. Are Goldendoodles prone to separation anxiety? Some people who took our survey left comments specifically mentioning that their Goldendoodle has issues with separation anxiety. This usually happens when a dog is overly attached or dependent on his family members. Some signs of separation anxiety include barking, destruction, or house soiling. See Also: Click the image Perhaps the graph just above reflects the different levels of separation anxiety that Goldendoodles are prone to. From a house training standpoint, most survey participants reported Excellent and Very Good. Whether or not making a dog wait that long is fair or healthy, is a different subject. Goldendoodles may become bored when left alone for too long, and may try and find an outlet for their intensity. Complaints such as coming home to find garbage all over the floor, destroyed pillows and shoes, half-eaten socks, and entire missing cakes and meaty roasts are all too common. Luckily, since Goldendoodles are very easily trained, these types of behaviors can be fixed with time, effort, and consistency. Need help with training? Can Miniature Goldendoodles be left alone? A crate-trained Miniature Goldendoodle can be left alone overnight for six to eight hours, and no more than four hours during the day. The Miniature Goldendoodles are highly sociable dogs that will prefer the company of their owners, rather than being alone. Many Miniature Goldendoodles have separation anxiety and have a hard time staying alone. Miniature Goldendoodles are a mix of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever and are an adorable breed that enjoys spending every moment with their human family. This dog requires all the affection and love that it can get. There are a lot of things that you as a pet parent can do to reduce the possibility that your Miniature Goldendoodle will suffer if left alone. This is something that can be done in a day. It takes time and training to get to the point where your Miniature Goldendoodle can be left alone. There is something that you need to keep in mind. This is for their health and well-being. Miniature Goldendoodles are highly sociable dogs that enjoy human company. They simply love spending time and getting affection. They are also high-energy dogs. This makes staying alone a little bit more complicated. If they are left alone for a long period of time, they might cause damage to your furniture. How long can Miniature Goldendoodles be left alone? An adult and well-trained Miniature Goldendoodle can be left alone for eight hours overnight, and no more than four hours during the day. Many people consider Miniature Goldendoodles the perfect apartment dog. That trait makes them a good option for an indoor pet. However, they are considered to be highly attached to people. So, how long can Miniature Goldendoodles be left alone exactly? There are some factors that determine how long you can leave your dog alone for: 1. Holding in for that long can cause damage to the bladder. A one-month to a four-month puppy can be left alone for no more than two hours. A five to eight-month puppy can be left alone for no more than four hours. Puppy older than eight months can be left alone for six to eight hours. They are so devoted and simply love spending time with their human parents. If you absolutely have to leave your Miniature Goldendoodle for six, eight, or ten hours, make sure they are entertained and have where to relieve themselves. However, leaving your Miniature Goldendoodle frequently for long periods of time might cause depression. Spend as much time as possible with your dog and leave them only when you absolutely have to. Energy levels and curiosity Miniature Goldendoodles are high-energy and curious dogs. This is a combination that no one asked for but still got it. If you have to leave your Miniature Goldendoodle alone, make sure that he has enough toys to entertain himself. By playing, they will spend that high energy. Another great tip is to try and hide some treats around the house for your Miniature Goldendoodle to find. Also, high energy and curiosity are something that can get your dog into trouble. If left alone, a Miniature Goldendoodle can become extremely curious in the house plants or chew up cables. By entertainment, I mean a lot of toys. Also, remove anything that might cause temptation and get them into trouble. When I leave my Miniature Goldendoodle to go to work, I always take him out for a long walk. After the walk, my doodle falls asleep and I go to work. When he wakes up, there are plenty of toys that he can play with. Is it okay to leave your Miniature Goldendoodle in a playpen? Leaving your Miniature Goldendoodle in a playpen is okay and totally safe. Playpens are a great idea, especially if you have to leave your Miniature Goldendoodle for more than eight hours to go to work. Leaving your Miniature Goldendoodle to roam around the house is a bad idea because a bored doodle is a chewy doodle. When I got my Miniature Goldendoodle three years ago, I was working a full-time job. So, even though it was heartbreaking for me, I had to leave my pup alone for eight hours. Instead, a friend of mine suggested getting a playpen. I went online and ordered a dog playpen from amazon. Playpens are a safe place to leave your dog unsupervised for a longer period of time. I use the playpen every time I have some work around the house, or when I go to work. However, you should start slowly, maybe leave your dog for an hour at first. Then, work your way up but make sure you do not go over eight hours. What can be done to make a Miniature Goldendoodle more comfortable with being left alone? Proper training and socialization are needed to make a Miniature Goldendoodle more accepting and comfortable with being left alone. Miniature Goldendoodles learn what is good and not good behavior through training and socialization. That gives them an idea of what is required of them in life. Once your Miniature Goldendoodle matures physically, emotionally, has been trained, and socialized, they will have a better understanding and will behave well when left alone. You should start slowly and leave them for twenty to forty-five minutes and progress slowly. The leaving alone process should be handled slowly because Miniature Goldendoodles are known to suffer from separation anxiety. As a pet parent, you should have a good leaving and returning ritual. You should never associate bad behavior with leaving. This process begins by taking your Miniature Goldendoodle for a walk, sharing a treat while cuddling on the couch, saying a quick goodbye, and leaving the house. Do not make the leaving process a drama. If you make the leaving process dramatic, start to cry and etc, your dog will take it hard as well. When you get home from work, give a treat to your Miniature Goldendoodle. Always say how good a boy or girl they are and snuggle for a little bit. Always perform the same leaving and returning ritual. When you notice that your dog is handling the leaving process without any major stress, increase the time. Some Miniature Goldendoodles will not accept this very good. You need to perform the leaving and coming back process until they are showing no signs of distress. Doggy daycare is similar to kindergarten. You can drop off your Miniature Goldendoodle before work and pick him up after you finish work. Doggy daycare can be provided by a business or a person. In any case, your dog will be taken care of. At the doggy daycare, your Miniature Goldendoodle will spend time socializing with other dogs and humans. I never took my dog to a doggy daycare because I spent a lot of time training my dog. Almost all dogs that suffer from separation anxiety will love to spend some fun time at the doggy daycare. There, they will socialize with other dogs and will look forward to it every day. The only downside of a doggy daycare can be the price. These services are known to be pricey, so always do your research and ask for prices before you sign up.

Similar services:

oklahoma boxer puppies for sale - They are superb with kids and very much compatible with other pets in the house. They are big and their tail is strong, so keep your breakable belongings away from the reach of that helicopter wag. They are great personalities for a pet but maintaining them is no joke. Bookmark this page which lists down cool tips to take care of a Golden Retriever. To prevent it from matting and to reduce the shedding, you must brush it daily. If you do this from an early age, they get used to it and they actually look forward to it. Not only that. While you brush them, watch out for scabs, cysts, scratches and bumps and if it does not go in a day or two, visit the vet. Wrap some wet cotton gauze around your finger and then wipe the inside of your puppy's ears and ear flap. Do it every alternate day and if you notice wax buildup or discharge or foul smell, take it to the vet, do not delay. When their nails start clicking the ground, it is a sign that your boy or girl needs trimming. Active dogs need fewer trims as per vets. It can bleed and it is very painful too. Also, do not cut the nail in one go. Go slow and if you see a circle on the trimmed surface, stop there and then because that is the quick. Never use a human toothpaste because they are very toxic for dogs. Make sure that your fur-child goes on a brisk walk, plays around at least for 30 minutes twice a day. Play fetch, take it for a swim if he loves water. They must have a place to retreat if they feel low or nervous. But never make it an area of punishment as that will stress them out. Teach them basic commands. Nowadays, we also have pet friendly cafes, so take them there. Not just pets, dogs should also know other humans besides you. They must know that people wearing attires unlike yours are also humans they need to be civil with. Do take them to crowded places to take away that fear and so that they get accustomed to loud noises as well. Fast cars and bikes, all these things scare them if they are not used to it. It is the same as human babies. Next up is another thing to do before you bring your puppy home… How To Puppy Proof Your House When puppy-proofing your house, think like a puppy. Crawl around on the floor and take note of what you see. Puppies will chew nearly anything, so make sure that there are no valuables down at puppy-height, or things that could be poisonous to them or be a choking hazard. Make sure there are no open cabinets or pantries where your puppy could get into food. Be careful of small trash cans that could hold some smelly trash that would be enticing to a puppy. And finally, next are a few other random tasks to do before you bring home your new puppy. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! Not exactly. Find a vet. Find the closest emergency animal hospital. This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan. Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals. Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid. Find a puppy kindergarten class. This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent. Check your yard or house for any escape routes. This next section will cover everything from what to expect with a puppy, what to do the first 24 hours of bringing them home, how to train them, and more. A week after bringing Oliver home, it was very obvious to me why she asked me that. Puppies are hard work! Their little bladders can only hold it for a few hours, so this is expected. Chewing Puppies will try to chew any and everything. Like every thirty minutes often. Now, for the most important expectation of them all… You will miss puppyhood! Yes, you will miss the sleepless nights and puppy bites. So make sure to take lots of videos and pictures. How would you like to be treated in this situation? Here are some tips to help your puppy get comfortable in their new home. Let your puppy make decisions When you get to your house, set them at your open front door and let them choose to walk inside. Let them explore their new home on their own terms. Letting them make decisions can give them a sense of confidence, hope, and control, and ease into their new home. Limit visitors Now is the time to build the bond with your puppy and let them get to know you, not overstimulate them with a lot of people. Limit their access to your home Getting used to a new home with two rooms will be a lot easier than getting used to a new home with five rooms. Only let your puppy have access to a few rooms so that they get acclimated to their new area quicker, then as they get more comfortable you can allow them to explore new areas of the house. You can use baby gates to restrict access to sections of the house. Bonus benefit: this will also decrease the chances that they leave you a present in the guest room. In general, just keep things low key when you bring them home and let them get used to their surroundings. Training Your Golden Retriever Puppy Training your golden retriever puppy is one of the best things you can do both for them and with them. They have short attention spans and like to have fun, so short training sessions and training games work best. A lot of people think that training is just obedience training, like sit and stay , but it also includes life skills like crate training , potty training , how to not jump on people or bite them, and how to not pull on the leash. Socialization Socialization is something that is not talked about as much as it should be. It can help mitigate fear and aggression and help them become confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. You can socialize your puppy with other dogs by setting up play dates with gentle dogs that you know are vaccinated and by going to puppy kindergarten. Dog to other living beings includes humans, cats, and other animals. You can socialize them with other people by taking them to a pet-friendly store like home depot, and you can socialize them to other animals by taking a walk by the neighborhood cat with lots of distance between them, so neither animal gets overwhelmed. Dog to stuff is the broadest category, but no less important. When Oliver was very young we were on a walk and a FedEx truck drove by. He had never heard a big truck like that and was terrified. So make sure that your puppy is comfortable with trucks, cars, the garage door, buses, umbrellas, and whatever other objects they may encounter. For instance, if you live in Chicago, get them used to trains, buses and crowded streets. Every day, separate out five special treats for your puppy. For example, you might let your neighbor give your puppy a treat, or maybe you take your puppy to a bus stop and when the bus goes by you give them a treat, or maybe you introduce them to a cow and give them a treat. The treat helps them have a positive experience with these new things and people, plus it helps you easily remember to expose them to lots of these new things. Do this for the first four weeks of their life and before you know it, your puppy will have been exposed to new dogs, people, things, or environments, and will be well on their well to becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. Puppy Raising Mistakes Below are some mistakes that new puppy owners make that could make it harder to train and raise their puppy into a happy, confident adult. Not remembering how young they are Puppies are like little toddlers. Waiting to train your puppy until they have a problem Training your puppy before they have any behavior problems will make life so much easier for you. Forcing things too quickly Things like crate training and potty training take time. Setbacks hurt more than stretching their limits will help, so be patient and take things slowly. Conclusion Golden retriever puppies might just be the best living beings on the planet. However, they are a lot of work and can be quite naughty sometimes. Have any questions about golden retriever puppies? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is thinking about getting a golden retriever puppy, please share this with them. Related articles:. Schools Hospitals The veterinary clinic. Plus puppies are a great stress relief and your puppy may be just what the staff need to get through a hard day. Not only does it keep them healthy but it may also decrease the tendency toward poor behavior and helps them sleep. There are many things you can do with your Golden Retriever beyond just neighborhood walks, here are some suggestions: Swimming. Even puppies can swim, just take the time to introduce them slowly to deep water. Throwing a toy helps. Playing catch. Playing ball is great exercise, just avoid tossing things like discs where they may try to jump and injure them selves Tug of War. Gentle tug of war is a great game that most Goldens love. Playing with other puppies or similarly sized dogs Chasing the kids around the yard. Have them drag a rope toy and run let your pup catch it every once in a while. This has the added benefit of exercising your kids too. Training your Golden Retriever puppy is essential, he or she needs to understand what is good behavior and what is not. Golden Retrievers are very smart dogs who learn quickly and enjoy training with their people. House training and teaching basic commands is an essential part of raising a Golden Retriever puppy. Additional training, whether that is advanced obedience or training them to do tricks, can be a great way to enjoy your puppy and creating a lasting bond. Golden Retriever puppies are able to learn as well as adults by 8 weeks of age. Even younger pups can learn basic behaviors like sit with just a little patience. Here we give a few suggestions, but we have a fantastic article on Training your Golden Retriever that goes into detail. Here are some commands every dog should know. Your Golden Retriever puppy should come right away every time you call. Carry treats in your pocket and practice this command everywhere you go. Coming when you call could save your dogs life one day. This one is critical for when you want your Golden to stop jumping on guests or when you want your pup to calm down. It can also be used in place of sit for not jumping on guests. Leave it. This one is important to get them away from that dead animal they want to roll in, the goose poop they want to eat, or the pacifier that your neighbors toddler dropped in front of your pup. Yes wait not stay. This means walk by my side without pulling on the leash. Some Fun Tricks and Commands to Teach Your Dog One of the best parts of raising a Golden Retriever puppy, is seeing first hand how smart they are and how much they love learning new things. Here are a few just for fun things you can teach your dog. Bring it. Point to a toy or object and have them bring it to you. Turn off the light once they are big enough to reach the switch. Off is easier than on but they can learn that too. Jump through the hoop. All you need is a simple hula hoop and a partner. Note Golden Retriever puppies should not jump higher than a inches before 6 months. They should not jump more than shoulder height before 1 year of age when their growth plates are closed. High five. Yup this is exactly what it sounds like, having your pup give you a high five. Be careful not to use the same hand signals for other commands. For example holding your hand up by your shoulder usually means sit, so you should hold your hand in a different spot for high five. If you are loving teaching these tricks, AKC has a Trick dog title you can earn with your dog. Or if you love dancing, canine freestyle, dancing competitions for you and your dog might be fun for you. Again, this could be an entire article on its own, but since I have not written one, I have included a link to a video that I think will be helpful. What I like about this trainer is his emphasis on positive reinforcement rewards and NO punishment negative reinforcement. This is exactly the technique I used to train my own dogs. See what you think. For other helpful tips see our article on article on Training your Golden Retriever. Also, you will discover while raising your Golden Retriever puppy, that they can be a bit exuberant or really hyper in the case of some field bred lines , check out this article on How to Train your Golden Retriever to be Calm. Dogs are by instinct more comfortable sleeping in a den a confined space with only one opening. Staring crate training early will make sure everyone in your household gets the right sleep. Even if you plan on letting your Golden pup sleep in your bed again I remind you they will be big dogs, so prepare for a bed hog , crate training can be helpful as a safe place for your pup to stay while you are not able to watch them. This is especially important if you plan on raising a Golden Retriever puppy while working. See our article on How to crate Train a Golden Retriever for tips. That is where some really great dog toys come in. This critter is on of our favorite toys for Golden Retriever Puppies. It is fairly sturdy so it can handle a lot of shaking and a little bit of tugging. Plus it is just really cute and will pose well with your pup for all sorts of photos. Make sure to watch your puppy carefully. You may need to change types of toys as your puppy gets older. Many companies claim their toy is chew proof but there is no such thing. However if your puppy becomes a moderate chewer, here are two that my dogs enjoy. Best Ball Toy View on Amazon This ball is made of tough rubber and is a different texture than the ever ubiquitous tennis ball. My dogs can pop, skin and take apart a standard tennis ball in about 5 minutes, making it both a hazard and a waste of money. They come in a couple of sizes so you can get the larger ones as your puppy grows. Here I have recommended the 3. It comes as a set with a ball thrower and a ball but you can get the balls separately if needed. The good news is that inside is a regular Kong toy so even after they remove the fabric, your pup will still have a toy to play with. The Wubba is great because they or you can throw it around, play tug, or just fetch it. They do come smaller for younger puppies. For more dog toy ideas and recommendations, check out our article on the Best Dog Toys for Golden Retrievers. This needs to start early with letting them get used to normal things like brushing, bathing, and dental care. You should gently brush your Golden Retriever puppy as often as times a week for just a few minutes. It is not that they need it, as much as you are training them that the brush is nice and feels good. Wait until they are sleepy and treat it like a petting session at first until they get used to the idea. For the rest of the list of recommended brushes here is the Full article, Best Brushes for Golden Retrievers. When to bathe and groom your puppy might become obvious. I find that there is not much of a need to put dates in the calendar because they find something to get into that necessitates a bath every couple of weeks. The first veterinary visit should be right after you bring your puppy home even if the breeder or shelter has already started their puppy shots. At that visit your veterinarian will make sure your pup is healthy and recommend the preventative care your pup needs. This may include a series of vaccinations to protect against common infectious diseases, heartworm and intestinal worm preventatives, and flea and tick medication. It takes tons of time, money and dedication. If you are not a professional breeder or are not willing to do all of the things necessary to become a responsible breeder, then your puppy should be spayed or neutered. For detailed information in this required surgery and when do have it done, see our article on Spaying and Neutering Golden Retrievers. Conclusions on Raising a Golden Retriever Puppy Following these essential steps when raising a Golden Retriever Puppy will help you to have a happy, healthy family member for years to come. Golden Retrievers were first bred in the early s in Scotland as hunting dogs. Although they are still used for hunting, Goldens also excel at many other activities, including search and rescue jobs and guide work. They require ample exercise—swimming in particular is a great outlet for their endless energy, and most Goldens love it! Their beautiful coats require brushing and in some climates a summer trim may be in order. Goldens are intelligent, understanding, and eager to please their families. The Golden Retriever is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of years. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Golden. By knowing about health concerns specific to Golden Retrievers, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in Golden Retrievers to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Golden Retrievers. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Golden looking and feeling her best. Unfortunately, your Golden is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Infections Golden Retrievers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Golden Retrievers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Golden is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Genetic Predispositions for Golden Retrievers Cancer Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs. Your Golden will likely live longer than many other breeds and therefore is more prone to get cancer in his golden years. Many cancers are curable by surgical removal, and some types are treatable with chemotherapy. Early detection is critical! Hemangiosarcoma is a type of bleeding tumor that affects Golden Retrievers at greater than average incidence. These tumors commonly form in the spleen, but can form in other organs as well. Unbeknownst to a pet owner, the tumor breaks open and internal bleeding occurs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. We often find clues that one of these tumors is present during senior wellness testing, so have his blood tested and an ultrasound performed at least yearly. Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Golden Retrievers more than other breeds. This disease makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. Because white blood cells can be found throughout the body, this cancer can show up almost anywhere. Lymphoma is a very treatable form of cancer with an excellent success rate in dogs receiving chemotherapy. Luckily, lymphoma is one of the few types of cancer that can often be found with a blood test, so we may recommend a complete blood count twice yearly. Mast cell tumors are a particularly nasty type of skin cancer found more often in Golden Retrievers than other breeds. The sooner these tumors are surgically removed, the better. Unfortunately, mast cell tumors often look very similar to other kinds of skin lumps and lesions, many of which are not harmful. Therefore, all suspicious lumps should be tested and surgically removed as soon as possible. Many cancers are cured by surgical removal , so early detection is critical. Bloat Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Golden is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and sometimes to the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as half an hour. Your dog may retch or heave but little or nothing comes up , act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position front feet down, rear end up. Preventive surgery in which the stomach is tacked down or sutured in place so that it is unlikely to twist is an option. If you see symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately! Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Golden Retrievers. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to minimize discomfort and pain. Surgery is also sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. And keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering! Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older Goldens. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option. Glaucoma, an eye condition that affects Golden Retrievers and people too, is an extremely painful disease that rapidly leads to blindness if left untreated. Symptoms include squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea the clear front part of the eye , and redness in the whites of the eyes. Pain is rarely noticed by pet owners though it is frequently there and can be severe. People who have certain types of glaucoma often report it feels like being stabbed in the eye with an ice pick! Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your Golden is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition. If untreated, these abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the hairs have been permanently removed. Allergies In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most commonly affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs of allergies. The good news is that there are many treatment options available for these conditions. Allergies, swimming, overgrowth of hair in the ear canals, and accumulation of earwax can all predispose your dog to ear infections, which are painful and annoying. Goldens are very often afflicted by allergies, which can cause itching and inflammation in the ears and elsewhere. The earlier we diagnose and treat these ailments, the less discomfort and pain your pet will suffer. Be sure to call us if you notice him scratching or shaking his head, a foul odor from the ears, or if his ears seem painful to the touch. By monitoring for ear infections and treating them early, we also reduce the likelihood of eardrum damage that can lead to deafness. Most ear infections tend to recur until we work together to control the underlying cause. Epilepsy There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called primary or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, and Golden Retrievers are commonly afflicted. If your friend is prone to seizures, episodes will usually begin between six months and three years of age. An initial diagnostic workup may help find the cause. Lifelong medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures under control with periodic blood testing required to monitor side effects and efficacy. Note the length of the seizure, and call us at or call an emergency hospital. Heart Disease Some Golden Retrievers inherit a heart condition known as aortic stenosis. This disease causes a partial obstruction to the blood flow leaving the heart, which means the heart must work harder to pump enough blood to the body. If the condition is severe, your dog may faint or seem to run out of energy during exercise. He may also have difficulty breathing, cough frequently, or have stunted growth. Golden Retrievers are also especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes so large, thin, and weak that it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body. As this problem advances, your pet may act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe in a labored way, or cough. If indicated, treatment includes medication and dietary supplementation. Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs. Any breed can be affected, but Goldens have an above average incidence. Dogs with diabetes are unable to regulate the metabolism of sugars in their bodies and require daily insulin injections. Diabetes is a serious condition and one that is important to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Symptoms include increased eating, drinking, and urination, along with weight loss. If he shows signs, we will conduct lab tests to determine if he has this condition and discuss treatment options with you. Treatment requires a serious commitment of time and resources. Well-regulated diabetic dogs today have the same life expectancy as other canines. Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. Bleeding Disorders Your Golden Retriever is prone to a bleeding disorder called hemophilia. This is an important test as we may not otherwise know whether your pet has hemophilia until severe bleeding occurs during surgery or after a serious injury. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, and other behavioral changes. Treatment is usually as simple as replacement hormones given in the form of a pill. Taking Care of Your Golden Retriever at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Golden live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. She needs a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a year she blows her coat and loses crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is recommended during this time. Golden Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week! Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. She excels at dog sports like flyball, agility, dock diving, and obedience events. She has a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise for this water retriever. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Golden Retriever needs help. January 24, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? What does it take to be considered ideal for a family dog? How do you know if the Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Golden Retrievers! Bred in the highlands of Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the mid to late s, Goldens are a cross between a Yellow Retriever and an extinct dog breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel. Lord Tweedmouth wanted the ideal gundog to accompany him during fowl hunting and be able to withstand the rugged terrain and rainy conditions. Aside from being able to retrieve fowl, Lord Tweedmouth wanted an even-tempered dog to have at home when not hunting. And so, the Golden Retriever was born. Later in the s, they soon became a popular breed amongst American families when President Gerald Ford had a Golden named Liberty as his family dog. Golden Retrievers, like their name states, are golden! Their luxurious coats come in a variety of light to dark shades, ranging from light like the white Golden Retriever or English Cream to dark golden colors, even close to chocolate. Their coats feature feathering down their backs, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tails. Goldens have soft expressions combined with floppy expressive ears that give them a puppy-like appearance even as adults. Another thing to note of the Golden Retriever is that those fluffy coats are actually what are known as double coats. A strong water repellant coat on top coupled with a dense undercoat to regulate their body heat. This all means these pups can be heavy shedders! What are Golden Retrievers Personalities like? There is something to be said about being named a perfect family dog. The Golden Retriever breed is loyal, affectionate, playful, and gentle. If brought into a home with children, your Golden Retriever puppy will be a great addition for help introducing your new Golden Retriever pup to your kids and how to play together, check out our blog! But being a great family dog doesn't mean they are easy! Goldens have lots of energy which can come out in more jumping and being more mouthy, especially as puppies. Check our training tips for raising a well-mannered Golden at the end of this blog! Two to three daily walks are a must, and throw in fun activities like hiking or going for a swim, your pup will stay golden! Golden Retrievers are eager to please type of breed. They generally have happy go lucky demeanors which lends itself to affection and friendliness, including toward strangers. If you wanted a pup that could eventually become a service dog, a Golden Retriever is a great choice and make for excellent working pups! As a high-energy breed, Golden Retrievers do best in a home that will provide them ample access to romp around. Homes with fenced in yards or access to a park or field on a daily basis where they can run and fetch to their hearts content are the best environment for Goldens! These pups, with consistent early socialization, can adapt and thrive to living in a home with other dogs, or pets, and children! They love to play and make great playmates. That being said, their social nature can lead to dependencies on their owners and family. Golden Retrievers may develop separation anxiety if left alone and not properly trained from an early age. Golden Retrievers may also contract heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis SAS that with early diagnosis and treatment can allow for a regular life-span. When you are looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure you are working with a reputable breeder that cares for the health quality of the dogs they breed. Take advantage of that natural drive and eagerness to please by setting foundations at home. Start your puppy a regular daily puppy schedule to create structured routines in the home. Include consistent feeding, nap, play and obedience training times throughout the day to help your Golden pup learn what to expect and build confidence at home. During their puppy training focus on their obedience commands to help your puppy learn to look to you for guidance, build their communication with you, and solidify a trusting relationship! Since Golden Retrievers love to work, positive reinforcement and food rewards will be valuable motivators to get your puppy focused and listening. In-person and online puppy training programs will walk you through how to teach the commands, exercises to help your puppy learn them, and troubleshoot when your puppy needs it! Teach Your Golden Retriever How to Greet New People and Dogs While their open friendly disposition will help your puppy make new friends where ever they go, make sure to teach your puppy the right way to do so! Some overly energetic and friendly pups can get excitable around new people and dogs. That can result in some unwanted whining, lunging, and jumping. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on those common over-excited behaviors when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer or join an online puppy training school to help set you up for the best success! Do Calming Obedience Exercises With all their high-energy and high-drive, teaching your Golden how to be calm in everyday scenarios will help tame that wild side! Great calming exercises include having your puppy learn to wait for their food bowl and in thresholds each time you enter or leave a space. This also extends to activities like fetch. Goldens are a natal for this! This can be done simply by having your pup drop the toy when they return and pausing for a few moments giving them a chance to settle before throwing it again for them to retrieve. Teach Them to Walk Nicely on Leash Many high-energy pups have a tendency to lunge toward exciting new things! Couple that with a social nature, and you may encounter that your Golden Retriever puppy will start to pull on leash. Focus on teaching them proper leash manners including how to walk in Heel position and how to pass other people and pups without lunging, jumping and excited whining, barking or nipping at them! That can greatly help possible bad encounters with strangers and other dogs while teaching them great habits! Did you recently bring home a Golden Retriever puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! My husband and I are bringing home our first puppy in September a goldendoodle and this was super helpful! Emily June 29, , am Thank you so much for this, Jen! I look forward to the post on favorite dog toys! We just got a puppy and, while its only been a week, we are definitely having some issues getting puppy to embrace his crate. He is doing really well with potty training, and has yet to have an accident in his crate, but soon after he enters his crate the howling begins. This way he associates it with a positive place. Also, leave treats in there. Some dogs do better with their crates covered so like drape a blanket over the sides so it feels more like a cave. You might also try placing a t-shirt or something that smells like you in there. Also, leave the door open all the time and praise him if he goes in on his own. Good luck! OH, what a difference! Long after they no longer needed their crates, we kept them and always left the door opened. They would go into them when they were tired, knowing they were in a safe place; their place. Friends always said to us that they would have a dog if it behaved like our dogs. Be consistent. Fun for all of you. I can definitely see how teaching while a puppy can make a huge difference. Looking forward to your next dog related posts :. Reply Link Megan June 29, , pm Ahh thank you for this post! My husband and I are looking into getting a pug puppy soon and these tips are so helpful. Looking forward to reading more posts on this, especially the crate training. Love the tips, we are still trying to stay the course with the UD group classes! Golden are the best! It has been such an eye-opening month with our new puppy. Our other dog is 8 so everything feels brand new. I actually wrote about it in my post for tomorrow, but a puppy is like a baby. My boyfriend and I are getting a golden pup in the fall and while I grew up with the breed I have never trained a pup on my own. We made the choice to get a puppy mostly to instil good habits and behaviour long term. So long story short, I would never put a puppy or young dog or any age in airplane cargo! Reply Link Megan June 30, , pm Good tips! Socializing him right away and crate training him were so key to having an awesome, well-adjusted dog! Reply Link Josi August 20, , pm Hello! Just wondering where you got your goldens? This really helped me figure out what to do when she gets here. Jen May 3, , pm YAY! Our 3rd Golden in about 33 years and know he has some big paws to fill Taegan was wonderful for 14 years. We are so excited!! I have a new English Cream Golden. I feel like I need to work for his affection. Great otherwise! Not super energetic. Bursts of energy followed up by lots of naps but never really interested in walks. First timer here. Your pup could really benefit from basic positive obedience! I would recommend seeking out an experienced trainer in your area to help you as your pup grows! Having a puppy in the home can be fantastic, but you also need to make sure that you can offer it the best as well. She has been really easy to house break. We are excited to bring her home. Thank you for the helpful tips. That is a good idea to make sure that we are committed to doing the work to train this dog. We do really want him to be well trained. Thanks for the tips! Thank you so much for this super informative post! Reply Link Jen January 22, , pm I always made sure she went before we got to the gym and walked her frequently. Meghan January 29, , am Thank you so much for the reply!! We kept each of our puppies on a leash in the house, never out of our sight except when they were in the crate for 4 months before we gradually gave them independence. We always messed with them and held them. They had accidents as you would expect until fully house trained at about 4 months, but never any destructive or aggressive behavior. We gave them plenty of tough chew toys. Also training classes. They were never nervous or skittish. They love to lay on us and never have had any trouble with grooming, food guarding, loud noises, children or other animals. Goldens are great dogs but like any dog, they can only know what you teach them. Great article!! Kathrinne May 5, , am Hi Jen, how old are your puppies when you let them go out? Jen May 5, , am What do you mean? Reply Link Carly September 8, , pm Thank you so much for your article! What would your input be? Do you think they would focus on each other more than their humans? Would 2 puppies be so much more difficult than 1? Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Love the name Zoey!! Any tips to Prevent that?? Reply Link Christine November 1, , am About to get golden 3. Learning all over about everything. Reply Link Jen November 1, , pm It is like starting over again but you will figure it out! Every pup is different but be patient and consistent! This is my first large dog breed so a little nervous. I read your post and you give wonderful tips that I will follow. Please let me know if it is safe to put a flea collar on the puppy. Thank you. Reply Link Jen January 29, , pm I would consult with your vet to see what they recommend for flea prevention and treatment. Also, about the scratching. It could be due to something else like an allergen outside. I have not had a dog in 3 years because I lost my last one in a painful way for me and I am afraid to get another one. I am now ready to get one and this page has helped me prepare for my new puppy. I am a 74 yr old male in pretty good shape no health issues, and retired so I should be around a while to look after a dog. My wife passed about four months ago so I guess I am looking to fill a void. I live in a single family home and have plenty of time to spare. Thanks Reply Link marion duffield April 14, , am I am picking my pup up in 2 weeks! This is the best AND most realistic article I have read about training…. My pup Tank will be 4 months when we get him. He is absolutely adorable. Have only seen photos. He lives with his breeder in Missouri and we live in Canada…. I am so excited for you!!!! Puppies are intense but so much fun. And wow, that is going to be an adventure! Reply Link Theresa April 30, , am Do you have suggestions about golden retriever puppy biting? We got ours at 7 weeks. She is now .How do we stop her from snapping and biting? She is smart and loving. The biting has been rough though. Can you help? But I love dogs soooo much. This info is everything to me. I love this post Soo much. Thanks a ton. You left puppy in car? Or what? Reply Link Madeline October 31, , pm I am picking up my 7 week old golden in 2 days! I am so excited! How did you go out taking him places before he had his full shots? I want to socialize him, and of course potty train him immediately, but obviously there are risks. Whats your take on this? So the whole crate training thing is not going so well. She hates it. Emily Camalo April 2, , pm Hi! Really appreciate you sharing all of this advice! It was super valuable. Reply Link Julie April 11, , am Loved your comments. I have a 9 week double doodle. I have crate trained since day 1 and she has been really good, day 1 upset for a couple of minutes. Day 2 no problem at all. Now just the occasional cry when I leave her but that is over with in a very short space of time. I also leave a low radio on for her. She uses the garden most of the time for toileting, but occasionally she will come into the house and do another wee. The problem I have at the moment is trying to stop her biting. I have tried the gentle command which she listens to some of the time. And I have tried standing and turning my back on her so she realises I am not playing when she bites, but she will then go for trousers or feet, which I try my best to ignore, or she will just go off and do something else like chew a mat or something which is a no no. Any ideas? Regards Reply Link Stephanie January 25, , am Really great info, thank you for your article. Our puppy arrives in 5 days and we have been preparing for months. Your advice is. Very helpful. Blessings to you. If you also have brought a newborn golden retriever puppy to your home, you need to be extra careful in handling him. It is significant to note that newborn golden retrievers should not be handled like human babies. In this article, I will suggest you 10 tips that will definitely help you to take care of a newborn golden retriever effectively. Before owning golden retriever, it is necessary to know about his temperament— Know everything about golden retriever temperament Ideally, it is better to allow the mother of golden retriever puppy to take its care and responsibility. The puppy must be allowed to stay with his mother and the litter for the first few days. The puppy owner must take care of the puppy as well as its mother and ensure that they are totally comfortable and at ease. Mother as well as the puppy must be fed properly and their nutritional demands must be met properly. A newborn golden retriever puppy may have a lot of needs and its mother can take better care of its growing needs. Since, initially, the puppy is non-explorative, it requires more attention as far its safety is concerned. Mother as well as the dog owner must take care of the highly vulnerable puppy. Proper diet and clean water must be provided to the mother, especially if she is nursing her baby. It is important to ensure that high quality ingredients are available in the food being provided to the mother and the kid so that their nutritional requirements are met in the most effective manner. I have listed some good commercial foods that are must have for the mother of new born puppy:. Grooming Gear like Shampoo, Brush, and Nail Clippers Fun Toys You may hear or read about certain items that people find ever so important to their time with a puppy. However, how you raise your puppy is completely up to you. What are some of the top suggested items you might consider? Car harness Poop bags and sanitary equipment Walking Harness Items such as a walking harness, car harness, and a crate can help you during the training process. These allow you to have better control over your golden retriever puppy during situations such as travel, times away, and even socialization. If you do not have a backyard area for your puppy to play and go potty in, there are many different sanitary objects you might consider picking up. Apartments, parks, and public areas will require you to pick up after your little buddy when they use the restroom, so having these handy will make things easier on you! Puppy Proof Your Home Having a puppy is exactly like having a new baby in your home. Puppies love to chew on things, get into trouble, and all around be mess makers. They baby-proof it! In areas, they are allowed to roam in, try to investigate any unsecured cupboards, trash bins, or cabinets they may be able to get into. You can either clear the space or get baby-proof locks to keep the puppy out. Take the time to also secure any loose wiring they can nibble on! Pick a Vet You Trust The puppy stages are when the most crucial health checkups and vaccinations occur. Take the time to research vets in your area who have good ratings and are available on your schedule. Then, call them! Finding a vet you can trust and who is happy to help can be a huge relief to you and your puppy. Puppies are hard work! There are certain steps you should take to make training and care of your puppy as easy as possible for the early learning stages and future situations. Let Your Puppy Acclimate When you go to a new place, it is all at once exciting, overwhelming, and a little upsetting. People get homesick and need time to acclimate to a new place, so is it any surprise the same is true for your new puppy? This may be their first time away from their mom and siblings. Let them investigate their forever home, find all the new smells, and get their legs. Make a Plan and Stick to It Before your golden retriever puppy arrives, build a routine and make a game plan for how you will handle situations. Puppies need a lot of care as they are learning, and knowing how you expect to handle accidents or missteps, such as accidental potty indoors, can help you remain strict but loving as you train your puppy. On top of that, keeping a routine such as set food times, walk times, and play times can help your puppy get the ropes more quickly. They will learn approximately when it is time to do certain things and allow you to get work done as they make naps fit your schedule. Socializing and Training Golden retrievers are smart, but just like any dog, working on socialization and training early can help you and your puppy build a stronger relationship. Potty training and obedience training are big hits, of course, but also keep in mind distance training and manners. Training your dog to understand when you are away that you are coming back can prevent them from having anxiety issues or dealing with damaged belongings. Manners training and socialization nearly go hand in hand. Having them meet new people and animals ensures they will be able to handle newcomers to your home or in public. Take the time to make every socialization a thorough learning experience where you train them not to jump or pull. Give Them Love Not every session with your dog should be training non-stop. Golden retriever puppies need love and cuddle time too! Be sure to play with your puppy and snuggle him as much as possible. You can even take him or her on adventures to let them have new experiences! Be sure to also offer them some alone time. It may sound silly, but letting them go around on their own allows them to explore the home and learn it is theirs. They can also process lessons they learned during the day! Share this:.