A Blog About Golden Retrievers and Dogs in General
Here Jenny and I will write and share our favorite Golden stories and articles. Hopefully we'll give some informative tips on the Golden Retriever breed that may also help those with other breeds. Feel free to comment or add to our blog. In addition, if you would like to write a story, feel free to contact us. Our goal is to keep this light hearted, heart warming, or fun. Thanks for reading!
Don’t Set Your Dog Up for Failure
Behavioral issues are one of the biggest reasons many dogs end up at local shelters. Too often, the owners get caught up in the novelty of owning a dog. However, any dog, especially Golden Retrievers, have a learning curve or should I say maturity period. How long it takes them to learn and mature depends first on how well the owner is trained as opposed to the dog. A lot of new dog owner neglect to teach themselves the basics. With Goldens, maturity takes longer than many breeds. In cases it can take years. After all, Goldens are essentially puppies for life.
Puppy proofing your home should be done prior to introducing your new puppy. In addition, even adopted older dogs don’t know your treasured knick knack from a dog toy. Clean house and put all items at dog’s level away. When I say dog’s level, I mean a dog on four legs and a dog on two. Goldens are incredibly good at standing on their back legs if it gives them access to something they want.
Counter surfing is a favorite past time for young Goldens. There is a variety of nice and not so nice methods to avoiding this problem. I’ve read anything from small mouse traps to putting hot sauce on the counter. However, having to make a trip to the vet because your dog is now sick or hurt isn’t the goal. We've found the best course of action is not to leave anything on the counter. If your dog gets something off the counter he or she wants, then they are being rewarded. If they get reward, they will do it again. The best course of action is to keep the counter clean of anything edible or chewable. If your dog counter surfs try ignoring them. Often times they are looking for a reaction. If they are persistent, then try using a single command like “Off” or “Down” with a stern voice. Eventually they’ll figure it out. You’ll suffer through a lot of the dog jumping up and then getting right down again, but it should work. If it continues to be a problem, the most dramatic corrective measure I suggest, and this holds true for most disciplinary measures, is a tug on the skin at the back of the neck (this is where momma dogs grab their pups) and a commanding NO. I don’t use that measure unless it’s absolutely necessary. The reason being is that you want it to work when you need it to. If you use it all the time, it won’t work as affectively.
Trash smells like food to a dog. If you have a trash can put a lid on it. When I say lid, I mean something that the dog can’t nuzzle open. Typically the trash cans with the foot pedal work the best. The same holds true for the bathroom. Those small metal trash cans with the foot pedal work the best. You can find them in a variety of colors. If your dog is persistent, then put your kitchen trash in a closet or in the garage. If it’s the bathroom, then close the bathroom door. I can’t stress the importance of covering your bathroom trash cans. They are often over looked. However, diapers and feminine hygiene (use your imagination) products can be deadly. One of our friends just lost a young dog that ate such products. They expand in the stomach and by the time you figure out there is a problem, it can be too late.
If you have a treasured piece of furniture, something irreplaceable, move it to a spare room. This isn’t a permanent move. However, getting past the early stages of puppyhood without losing your furniture or mind is important. Don’t give your dog a reason to upset you. Put your finer things away including furniture.
Now some people may argue that a dog needs to “learn” what he or she can and cannot do. Thus, leave everything as is and use discipline. To some extent I agree. However, very few people are able to watch their animals every waking second of the day. As a result, it’s best to keep counters clean, trash put away or covered, and expensive items out of the way. Over time, as your matures, you’ll be able to work these items back into their normal places. Eventually you’ll be able to leave something on the counter for more than five minutes before Rover samples it. Dogs need to mature just like humans do. It’s the same logic as putting child safety locks on cabinets. If your dog never snags something off the counter, then he or she doesn’t think about the counter as a source of food. If the trash cans are covered or out of the way, your dog won’t even think about them as a source of food or entertainment. In addition, Rover is bound to make a mistake at some point. Why should it be your great grandma’s rocking chair or some other family air loom?
If you are home quite a bit and have time to watch your dog vigorously, then maybe other methods will work better for you. I personally don’t enjoy spending every second with my dog disciplining him for getting into things I could easily put away. There are far too many productive things we can do together that are more likely to wear him out and prevent other behavioral problems later. In addition to all the suggestions I’ve made above, I also highly suggesting keeping a durable dog toy or two in every room. Give your dog a chance to make the right choice. If he or she does then follow it up with a “That a boy or girl.”
If puppy proofing your house is out of the question and you don’t have a lot of free time and patients, then DO NOT get a dog. You’ll only end up angry and the dog will end up at a shelter. Only YOU can decide what will work for your situation. Don’t let friends or family convince you that you have to have a dog if it’s not something you’re comfortable with. However, if you decide a dog is right for you, then don’t set your dog up for failure. In addition, think in terms of months when raising a puppy not days or weeks. Some commands or rules will take longer for your dog to learn. Don’t expect overnight results for every rule you create. Do diligent research and put together a plan like I mentioned above or find one that works for you. You’ll both be happier and the whole experience will be more enjoyable.