Gold retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in the world, and for good reason! These guys are friendly, smart, and super loveable. They are just as happy hanging out with their family as they are going for a swim or an adventure. When considering adding a golden retriever puppy to your family, what are the things you need to know about taking care of them?
After considering your time and ability to care for a puppy adequately, it’s time to determine how you will take care of the new puppy and what items you need to have before they are added to the home. While it is exciting to get your new puppy home, there are some things you should prep before they arrive!
Plan Ahead and Gather All the Puppy Supplies
Getting a puppy of any kind is a big commitment, even if it’s a golden retriever puppy. Before you go out and find a reputable breeder with a litter to choose from, make sure you have the time and capacity to give these guys the best training and care possible. Golden retriever puppies need a home that can provide them with TLC and quality of life!
Going to the pet store can be an exciting and overwhelming experience! There are so many options and gadgets that you can purchase that may or may not be just what your new golden retriever needs. Keep in mind that you don’t need to get everything right now!
There are some critical essentials you should have before your pup finally makes it to his or her forever home, including:
- Dog Bed
- Leash
- Food & Treats
- Food & Water Bowls
- 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. Be sure to do thorough research into every suggestion thrown your way and decide if it’s right for you.
What are some of the top suggested items you might consider?
- Car harness
- Crate
- 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. What do people do when there’s a new baby in the house? They baby-proof it!
Whether you are keeping the pup in one set space or you are going to let them branch out, consider buying some baby fences to keep your golden retriever from getting into rooms you don’t want them in yet. They do make puppy fences designed to keep them out as well for households that don’t need dual-purpose fencing.
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! Speaking with the vet’s office can help you determine if they are someone you can work with for the benefit of your little buddy.
Let’s be real for a moment: as a puppy, dogs do a lot of weird things, and if you are a first-time pet owner, you need a vet who can help you through it. Finding a vet you can trust and who is happy to help can be a huge relief to you and your puppy. It’ll allow your puppy to build trust with the doctor as well!
Bring Your Golden Retriever Puppy Home
Now that you have all the necessary gear, it’s time to bring your new buddy home! Once home, that’s when the real work begins. 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. Many of the “issues” people say dogs have arisen from lack of training or socialization, causing them to appear to act out in situations where they are uncomfortable, or they don’t know better.
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!