Most dog traing classes teach teh owner more than the dog. I highly recommend you go to professional training.
Trigger says pools are really nice!!
Trigger says pools are really nice!!
Golden Retriever Is Here
- Thread starter Mendy48
- Start date
Very good advice. And you MUST let that dog swim. We built our pool FOR the Goldens! Swimming is some of the best exercise you can give them. Don't worry about the liner trim the nails.
And also a crate is Not an off / on switch for their potty needs when they are that young. See potty training above. Eventually they will get it and go to the door when it's time.
I would love to let him swim... yeah maybe trimming his nails will be best too. I just don’t know how he’ll get out of the pool. If you see the pic earlier, I have ladders for my pool. I guess I’ll have to pick him out of the pool every time. Mmmmm
yeah! I’m looking into crate training now....
- May 3, 2014
- 59,015
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Do a search of the forum. I just put in Dog Steps. There are hits. I believe you may find ramps too.
DIY Dock & Boat Ramp for Dogs
As I said last week, I have been lucky enough to score a few weeks off this summer while I am between jobs. Dallas and I kicked off this extended vacation with twelve days at my parents’ lake…
halifaxdogventures.com
Soggydoggies
Silver Supporter
This flow chart always cracks me up, but it really is pretty accurate! It’s a ton of work for a few months, but fortunately it’s during the time of a puppy’s life when they are the cutest so somehow it makes it less painful! 
'Is puppy a double pooper ?' 
Mine is and that chart speaks to me. Love. It.
Mine is and that chart speaks to me. Love. It.
Soggydoggies
Silver Supporter
Lol. We dog people know... it’s a thing!'Is puppy a double pooper ?'
Mine is and that chart speaks to me. Love. It.
I love this flow chart. Thank you.
what about bed time? How long after they sleep, do I wake him up to potty. When will his last meal be before bedtime, so that he doesn’t have to use the bathroom all night. Or do I have to continue waking up very often for him to potty outside?
what about bed time? How long after they sleep, do I wake him up to potty. When will his last meal be before bedtime, so that he doesn’t have to use the bathroom all night. Or do I have to continue waking up very often for him to potty outside?
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You should feed 2 times a day. The last meal should around 6:00 pm. This allows time for the food to be processed and poop to happen before bed. As for water I would limit large amounts of water after 8:00 pm. In the beginning he might need to go out 1 or 2 times during the night. Each puppy is different just like kids so you will learn what works best for you pup.
To me the worst part is the first thing in the morning..........you HAVE to take him out before you do anything else. That means no coffee, food, etc for YOU until he has been out to potty.
To me the worst part is the first thing in the morning..........you HAVE to take him out before you do anything else. That means no coffee, food, etc for YOU until he has been out to potty.
Holydoc
Gold Supporter
- Jul 17, 2016
- 500
- Pool Size
- 17500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Our Golden Retriever, Cheyenne, is going to be 1 year old this month. I was taking her to classes until COVID hit. Now I use YouTube and practice, practice, practice. She is the best ever! The only problem I have currently with her is that she just loves everyone TOO much (i.e., she has to jump up on them to let them know how much she loves them). Since the covid crisis, we have not been able to associate her with lots of people to break her of this habit. But that will come. Our goal is for her to become a therapy dog so that I can take her to all the different retirement and children homes in my area. Goldens thrive on love.
We have an AGP that she loves. Anytime I get in my bathing suit, she goes crazy knowing she is going swimming.
Along with the above advice, let me throw in my two cents worth. Here are lessons learned.
We have an AGP that she loves. Anytime I get in my bathing suit, she goes crazy knowing she is going swimming.
Along with the above advice, let me throw in my two cents worth. Here are lessons learned.
- Crate training is a must. We did NOT do it because we had the idea that crates were cruel. Well that is great unless you go on a trip to visit a friend and stay in a hotel or their house. You have to have a place to put her when you are not around. If we would of crate trained, we would not have had that issue. BTW... we have recently bought a crate and am beginning to crate train.
- Choose wisely before you decide to let your Golden sleep with you. That cute 8 lb puppy turns into a 65 lb bed hog pretty quickly. Yes, ours sleeps with us. Sometimes we regret making that choice, but mostly we love her warmth beside us.
- Puppy teeth are little needles that will eventually go away. Until then be ready to have little marks on your arms. Puppies explore everything, including you, with their mouth (and teeth). You will be joining the scratched arm club soon.
- If possible, skip the puppy pads. These are just a nice thing to shred for Goldens and slows down the potty training. Goldens are very, VERY smart. They train very quickly. No need to add an extra step.
- Once they get a few months old, have them wear a "house line" while inside. A "house line" is basically a leash with the hand loop cut off. Your Golden will love to test the waters and see what they can get away with and chew. Much easier to keep them under control if you have a line to grab to bring them out from behind that piece of furniture with your favorite shoe in their mouth.
- Buy a treat bag. Goldens respond to positive reinforcement very well. Food/treats is a great reinforcement. I have a treat bag that has a carry handle that goes over my shoulder. When my Golden sees it, she knows it is time to train. She perks right up and is ready for work. Mine also has a spot for potty bags. Which brings us to the last lessons learned.
- Invest in Doggie Potty bags and carry them with you. Every time we take our Golden outside to potty, we take a bag with us. Every time we go for a walk, we take a bag with us. You are getting a large dog that marks large spots. If you get in the habit of taking a bag with you everywhere, you, your family, your neighbors, and your children will always appreciate you. Our backyard is an acre in size and has absolutely no signs of puppy anywhere. The extra bonus is that you will know your pups droppings and quickly be able to tell if there is a problem that needs to be addressed.
- Most of all you have to give the Golden lots of affection. They always smile, so always love them for that.
My daughter's Whoodle has learned to love swimming in my pool. The biggest problem I have now is that the dog also wants to come into the house, bringing a lot of water with her.
Holydoc
Gold Supporter
- Jul 17, 2016
- 500
- Pool Size
- 17500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Forgot to mention... one of the best things we did was to not give the puppy scraps from the table or our plates. Cheyenne has never begged for food and when we sit down to eat, she happily goes and lays down in her bed and waits for us to finish. Even when we take her on picnics, we can sit on a blanket with her and eat sandwiches and she never bothers us while we are eating. Now pick up a tennis ball and you have one hyper girl!
Soooooooooooooooo adorable... relaxing in that pool. Thanks for the detailed information about GR. Much appreciated.
I’m definitely going to do the crate training, and he won’t be sleeping with me. Though I’ll want him to LOL.
What kind of treats do GR like! I can probably google that. I’ll also invest in doggie potty bags for sure. I just can’t wait to see him.
Holydoc
Gold Supporter
- Jul 17, 2016
- 500
- Pool Size
- 17500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
We only give ours "PureBites", "Vital Essentials", or I dehydrate chicken jerky for her. Our Golden Retriever has a very sensitive stomach. Though she will eat anything, her stomach does not like everything. During training when they are very young (2-6 months), you can use some of their kibble as treats. Once they get above 6 months, they want a more "high value" treat, since they are not starving to death any more.
Which brings up the subject of feeding. We fed ours 3 times a day up until she was over 6 months old. They eat extremely fast when they are young and eating too much, too quickly can mess up their digestion or even cause stomach bloat. Eating smaller portions and eating it slower helps prevent this. Portions were smaller due to feeding her 3 times a day, and we slowed down her eating by purchasing a puzzle bowl and used KONGS to slow down her eating.
I think I must have the dog with the most self control ever- her food bowl sits full all day and night and she eats at will. It usually ends up to be morning and late afternoon, but otherwise it just sits there un touched. <shrug> I have no clue how this developed.
Desert Dog
Silver Supporter
I had a dog once that would not eat till I came home. Would walk in from work, get my greeting and off she went to have her food.