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!
Finding Time
As much as I enjoy writing about my two Golden Retrievers, life has been a bit busy in recent months. Two jobs, overtime, and school can really eat up spare time. Considering the state of our economy, I’m guessing there are others out there, if fortunate, that are working multiple jobs to make ends meet or who are attending college while working. That brings me to an important topic; what about our dogs?
It’s a delicate balance between work, kids, and pets. All three require attention and none can be ignored. Unfortunately, our pets often feel the biggest brunt of our shortened free time. However, active dogs like Golden Retrievers require a lot of exercise. Otherwise, behavioral issues start to creep back into the mix. If your dogs are like mine, they’ll give you hints like maybe carrying a toy over to your lap as you sit back to watch your favorite TV show or log on to the computer.
So what to do? Jenny and I have learned to include our dogs in more functions. When my wife studies, she studies outside. As a result, our two Golden Retrievers can get some play time together outside while she studies. If it’s warm outside, we’ll fill up the kiddy pool or turn on the sprinkler. Jenny and I both walk, so we’ve made a point to take our dogs along with us. Even a twenty minute walk can be beneficial to both you and your dogs. If you have the financial means, many of taken to using doggy day care type operations. In this case, you drop your dog off for a set amount of time. While at the day care, your dog gets to play with other dogs and gets the attention he or she needs. It’s great for both exercise and socializing your dog. If you have children, some parks allow dogs or dogs parks are located near playgrounds. This allows you the ability to make exercise a family affair. Although not full on exercise, keeping plenty of chew toys available with help keep your dogs active. In addition, I’ve found using a low calorie treat in a treat ball can provide hours of activity. With these products, there is generally a round or egg shaped plastic type toy where there is one or several small openings. Treats are placed in these openings. Once you put these toys on the floor, your dog will roll them around the house trying to retrieve the treats from them.
The key is activity. Activity will increase your dog’s lifespan and help make the time with your dogs more enjoyable. Remember, they’re only with us a short time so make every moment count. Now, it’s time for a quick game of fetch.