Among the most easily trained dog breed, Golden Retrievers are intelligent, active and social. Since they enjoy anything that requires activity they love any kind of outdoor recreation that gets them moving.
From the breed's roots as an off-shoot of mid-1800s Russian circus dogs, they've been bred to retrieve. Whether it's fetching a tennis ball or jumping over low fences or any similar activity, it is all a natural extension of the game of retrieving.
Golden Retrievers are among the smartest dog breed and with little effort can learn a wide variety of behaviors. They are easy to housebroken and will give clear signs (after the initial training) that they need to go outside. Fetching comes almost automatically. It is also easy to teach them to stay, sit, roll over, and a lot more.
Golden Retrievers are easily socialized and friendly with people and (typically) other animals. Although individuals vary they usually adapt well to children and other pets. However, socialization does take a certain degree of training. They can be territorial and will probably bark at or chase animals and even people who do not belong to the home.
In spite of their temperament to bark a lot they do not make good watch dogs or guard dogs. They will definitely alert you to the advance of the mail carrier, but they also will bark at any movement. Attempting to train them to differentiate between the two can be a big challenge. They might bark at a bird sitting in a tree outside the living room window or at a cat running across the front yard. With so many false alarms they are completely unsuitable for guard dog duty.
Also, they will almost never attack anyone since they are by nature so friendly, and trying to train them to do so is inconsistent with their nature. Though they are quick to bark they rarely bite. Their bark is a greeting rather than a sign of anger or a warning. It can be a challenge to train them to walk on a leash and not pull. But since they are so eager to please you they can be taught to walk patiently at your side. It might take a few weeks, and is best taught while the dog is still young.
They are very active and energetic by nature so it is extremely important to give them ample exercise each day. One word of warning: Their tails are often wagging because they are by nature happy dogs. This can be a major source of trouble unless you prepare for them ahead of time by moving all breakable objects to a higher spot where they will be safe.
They are incredibly social dogs and need to be with the family. Left a lone for long periods of time is not healthy. If there is no person at home during the day, at least have one other dog to be a companion for them.
Golden Retrievers are great dogs, but not for everyone. They are definitely best for people and families who want an active and friendly dog, and who are willing to devote time and attention to their furry companion.
However, more often than not, most people have to do it themselves. Here are some ways in which you can groom your Golden Retriever easily. You need to follow a cycle of grooming, and it is advised that this cycle is repeated once or twice a week.
Remember, you can not slack off on your duty as a dog owner. You need to have a regular routine to groom your dog. The process should not take you more than a half hour at a time.
You can start with brushing your Golden Retriever to make sure that you reduce his shedding. This is important as they are a double coated breed of dogs. The double coat protects and insulates them throughout the year. During winter, the undercoat protects them, but they begin to shed it during warmer months. Hence, you will often notice a lot of fur being shed at this time.
Regular brushing will take care of this problem a lot, especially if done with a quality bristle brush and an undercoat rake. It is most likely that your dog will love it as well, and love you for it. Most Goldens love the feel of a good brush and will often sit idle happily while you brush them. Remember to brush in one direction - downwards - and try to do it gently so as to not pull out any hair in the process.
Regular baths are a must, especially in warm weather conditions. You can give your Golden Retriever a wash as many times as you like, as it will not damage the skin. Just make sure you use a shampoo of good quality. You may have a little problem getting your Golden Retriever to sit still if your dog does not like taking baths. After a nice bath, it is time for a nail inspection.
Long nails should be clipped regularly as they can cause irritation to the dog, and a lot of grief to anyone who steps on them. Trimming the nails ensures that shape of your dogs foot is intact, and there is no splaying. If you're lucky, you will see the nails clearly.
Use a good pair of nail clippers, but try not to cut too closely. Keep some styptic powder close at hand in case you cut too close by accident. If you see any blood, use it immediately. This will help in stopping the bleeding fast. Try and make this a weekly exercise.
Whatever you do, while grooming your Golden retriever never shave it. Remember, as we mentioned earlier, the double coat of the golden retriever protects it in all kinds of weather. Groom only the tail, feet, and in and around the ears. You can trim back around the pads with an ordinary pair of grooming shears so that it is even with the pads. If you look after you dog properly, he will be clean and tidy, and look good.
Both Carol Stack & Peter Finch are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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