How to avoid my Golden Retriever being jealous of my new born baby?

Big Dog | June 18th, 2010

Is it normal, anyway?!

Yes, it is. Just imagine the situation from the point of view of your Golden Retriever. He is part of the family, often treated as “the kid”, and then, suddenly, a new creature arrives and takes all the attention of his beloved family. It is quite similar to what older children feel, when a little brother/sister arrives. One of the differences is just that the dog can’t speak English :)

Actually, if we are aware of this ‘problem’ in advance, the situation can be handled, but it needs consciousness and to be started in time, long before the baby’s arrival. Let’s see how we can prepare our Golden Retriever for the new family member.

If your dog’s daily routine has to be changed with the baby’s arrival (it probably will), you should start changing the rules much earlier, giving him plenty of time to get used to the new set up. This way it isn’t going to be so sudden and shocking. If your Golden Retriever hasn’t really been trained before, it’s high time to start. He should learn at least a few commands, like sit, stay, etc. This way, he’ll be easier to handle.

Many families worry about their dog endangering the health of the child, so the best thing to do is to take your pet to the vet, get him checked and get some advice. Get your Golden Retriever used to the new smells, sounds in advance (blankets, lotions, toys). It’s also a good idea, that just after your baby was born, send home a blanket that the baby had been in, so your dog can experience the child’s smell in advance. It is very important to know that your  Golden Retriever will get a lot less attention from the mother, so when taking the baby home for the first time, the mother should greet the dog, so it is better if someone else is carrying the baby.

It is also a good idea not to leave them alone together at the first times, until your Golden Retriever feels comfortable with the baby, because, for example, it is very possible that the dog won’t tolerate the child’s crying very well in the beginning. You have to teach him that this is a normal sound, and you should motivate him not to bark (with treats, for example).

And the most important rule for last, maybe it seems too obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning: try to give as much attention to your Golden Retriever as you can. The point is that he has to feel that you do care about him. If you keep this in mind, most probably there will be no problem. You could also try Preparing Fido, which is an amazing collection of Baby sounds designed especially to get your dog ready for the arrival of the new Baby!

Cute Golden Retriever puppies playing

Big Dog | April 26th, 2010

This bunch of baby Golden Retrievers will keep being active and fun-loving after growing up. The breed, which was originally developed to become a gundog, is very intelligent and hard-working, thus they are commonly used as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs. If you are thinking about buying one, click here.

A fun dish for your Golden Retriever!

Big Dog | April 11th, 2010

Proper nutrition is required to maintain a Golden Retriever’s overall health and wellbeing. Meet their dietary needs by providing them sufficient supply of protein, carbohydrates, fats and minerals. But you should watch out and keep your Golden Retriever’s weight down. Overweight dogs have more health problems, including heart trouble and arthritis.

Keep your retriever inside if at all possible. Golden Retrievers are extremely social dogs, and it will be very unhappy if left alone outside while its family is together in the house. You can have your pet eat together with the whole family on his hand painted, bright and colorful Golden Retriever Dog Dish. This can make your pet enjoy your meal as much as you do, as eating with your Golden Retriever can be a good way to teach it how to socialize and get along and lessen its aggressive temperament and maintain its kind, friendly and confident nature.

Golden Retrievers book review

Big Dog | March 4th, 2010

Golden Retriever Puppy

Written by Gina Read, Golden Retrievers is a useful tool for any Golden Retriever owner and for anyone considering getting one. The book answers every question you might ask right from choosing your puppy to training it and keeping it healthy. The book is written in an easy to understand and informative style. While its main goal is to teach you how to care for your Golden Retriever, you will find yourself reading it just for pleasure. The Golden Retrievers ebook covers the following areas answering all your questions about the breed.

  • How to choose the right golden puppy for you.
  • Physical attributes to look for (and some to avoid!)
  • What papers the breeder should provide.
  • What food does your golden puppy need.
  • How to Crate Train your Golden Retriever puppy
  • Puppy Checklist
  • Housetraining
  • Obedience Training
  • What to expect from your Golden puppy as he grows
  • Golden Retriever development and Growth stages and much more!

Why is the Golden Retriever so well loved?

Big Dog | January 25th, 2010

Being one of the most popular dogs loved by families, the Golden Retriever is a wonderful package of energy, strength, affection and intelligence. In terms of appearance, this dog’s color brings brightness and life when seen running and playing in an open field. Its body is one that exhibits power and activeness. They have a kind expression and enjoy very much to be among its family.

This dog has the smarts to go with it as training it is a wonderful experience. They are quick learners and are known to pick up 240 commands and phrases that actually seem like one can have a conversation with them and they would understand. To wrap up this golden package is that they have a long life span with reaches 10 to 12 years making them a long time family member and companion.

If you want to treat your Golden Retriever the way it deserves, you need to get your hands on this book. 

How to buy a European Golden Retriever?

Big Dog | December 16th, 2009

Owning a Golden Retriever fulfills that dream of playing fetch or running in a field and enjoying a good romp. Many people pick this dog for its intelligence and its playful nature when around people. They enjoy spending time with the family outdoors for exercise, playtime and swimming! If you are interested in getting one, then take the first step: Learn about them!

Golden Retrievers are easily spotted and recognized by their golden-brown, water resistant coats and a smile on the faces. Their broad heads have wide but tapered muzzles with a brown nose and brown eyes that give it an intelligent and gentle expression. They have pendant, hanging ears. Having a muscular frame, shoulders and broad chest, they seem to run from one place to another without tiring for the whole day! They can stand between 21 to 24 inches and can weigh approximately 50 to 80 pounds.

Having knowledge in the basics will help you a lot when sorting the bad breeders from the good ones. Here are other tips:

Read the rest of this entry »

Golden Retriever Puppy Photo

Big Dog | December 5th, 2009

Golden Retriever Puppy Photo

This Golden Retriever pup loves to play inside the house. Isn’t he cute?

Golden Retriever Puppy

Big Dog | November 24th, 2009

Golden Retriever Puppy

You can’t help to take a look at this cute Golden Retriever pup, he is so adorable!

How to feed an 8-week old Golden Retriever

Ann | November 8th, 2009

Feeding an early aged Golden Retriever pup is not just a simple task of “Open up and say ‘Ahhh’”. To be a caring owner or parent for this puppy, a detailed routine should be laid out by the breeder for their healthy growth as well as the commitment. When you take home your puppy, don’t immediately switch the type of feed. A transition of 25% new mix with 75% of the old and progress until it is the opposite with 75% of the new one.

Golden Retriever puppies

This will allow their sensitive stomachs to adjust. Since the pup is growing it will actually need twice the nutrients than an adult. By 8 weeks, the puppy can be given a dry food diet with warm water added to the mix for moisture to help them slurp it up. Nutrition experts highly recommend a thrice a day consistent routine until they reach six months. If the routine is followed, the puppy’s stomach will be well adjusted for new things.

Want to know more about how to care for a Golden Retriever?

You will find answers to every possible question you can ask about Golden Retrievers in this book.

What questions to ask when buying a Golden Retriever?

Ann | October 27th, 2009

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in the US. Known for their obedience and fantastic attributes, they make great family pets, guide dogs for the blind and narcotic detection aids. But before buying one, there are several questions to answer first.  How large can they get? These dogs are athletic, large and weigh 70 pounds when mature. If one is concerned about shedding, golden retrievers have a dense wavy coat and are heavy shedders.  Daily brushing is needed to remove tangles.

Golden Retriever puppy

Are apartments suitable from them? This dog needs vigorous exercise and athletic play and channeling these energies will make apartment living adequate.  They are wary of strangers and are friendly once warmed up. Separation anxiety can make them destructive if left alone.  Health issues should be taken into consideration for they are prone to cancer, hip dysplasia and check-ups for Von Willebrand’s disease and heart problems. Knowing these factors will help in making the right decision if the Golden Retriever is right for you.

Want to know exactly how to chose your Golden Puppy?

The Golden Retrievers ebook covers the following issues answering all your questions about the breed.

  • How to choose the right golden puppy for you.
  • Physical attributes to look for (and some to avoid!)
  • What papers the breeder should provide.
  • What food does your golden puppy need.
  • How to Crate Train your Golden Retriever puppy
  • Puppy Checklist
  • Housetraining
  • Obedience Training
  • What to expect from your Golden puppy as he grows
  • Golden Retriever development and Growth stages and much more!