The golden retriever is one of the most popular and most common family pets across the globe. Many families are drawn in by the images of the incredibly cute puppies, as well as the great stories about the temperament of these dogs.
We can all get swept up on ideas of this perfect pup that is a joy to own. Yet, there are plenty of issues regarding golden retriever puppy care that we need be aware of.
In this guide we will cover 8 tips to care for golden retriever puppy. This includes some of the most important information for raising golden retriever puppies. We will also look at concerns when handling newborn puppies and mixed breeds.
1) Take good care of their diet.
A good diet is important with all puppies, and the active, playful golden retriever is no different. Be sure to give them the right portions of a strong diet of puppy-friendly food. Look out for diets that have plenty of protein for an active lifestyle, as well as omega oils to keep that coat in the best possible health. Watch out for portion sizes too. You don’t to overfeed them and risk obesity and health issues.
2) Take good care of their coats.
On the subject of that coat, it is important to give the coat a good brush as often as possible as these puppies grow up. The retriever has a medium length coat that is prone to shedding. You have enough on your hands with this active pup without chasing after them with a vacuum too. This means gentle brushing on a daily basis with a soft brush.
3) Take good care of their other grooming needs.
There are different grooming needs that these animals will face as they grow up. They will need their nails clipping, their teeth cleaned, their ears checked – because of their dropping nature. Regular grooming from an early age also means that these dogs can get used to being handled as they grow up. This is an important part of their overall training regimen. They need to learn to be handled in a calm, happy manner.
4) Take good care of their training regimen for the best results.
Training is important when dealing with grooming, but also for a range of other behavioural situations. The great thing about retrievers is that they are gentle, well-behaved dogs that are pretty easy going with other animals and family members. In fact, they are a top breed for families with children. Even so, they need strong socialisation training from an early age, good housebreaking, leash training and other skills.
5) Take good care when leaving pups in the hands of children.
Another important consideration here is in handling the pups with care. This family friendly breed is playful and loved by adults and kids alike, but they need to be handled with are. They are still small, fragile animals at this age. While they may have that patient nature, they demand respect. Children need to be particularly careful not to play rough.
6) Take care to provide these dog with the space they need.
This works in two ways. First of all, they need to grow up in a home where they have to space to run around, play with the kids and act like a puppy. This means a larger family home with a yard. However, it helps to cordon them off to run room at first. Give them time to get used to their new surroundings slowly. Let them find a favoured corner they can call their own.
7) Take care to provide them with enough exercise.
Giving these dogs enough exercise is enough crucial part of bring this dog into family life. You have to be careful to take things slowly. These pups can’t go far when they are very young, but they still need to work off their food and stay trim. As they grow, you can work out a more suitable regimen and the right length walks. Make sure they have had their vaccinations before taking them outside and exposing them to other dogs.
8) Take care to keep up with medical checks at the vets.
The issue of vaccinations leads to this final tip about veterinary care. It is important to keep up with checks and appointments as the pup grows. Keep them vaccinated, get them microchipped and make sure the vet checks them for any major health conditions. Every breed has important checks. Talk to your vet for the best possible service.
Dealing with newborn goldie pups.
A lot of these tips will depend upon the age of the puppy. Newborn pups will always do better with their mother for the first few months of their life. This provides them with the milk, love and protection they need to survive. Mothers and pups thrive with that maternal connection. This is one reason to avoid breeders that sell puppies too young. Once the dog is weaned and ready to head out on its own, the responsibility falls to you as the new owner.
The issue of mixed breeds.
The tips above also apply to pure bred golden retrievers. Those that buy puppies of mixed breed status will need to adjust their care regimens accordingly. The diet will change depending on the size and physicality of the dog. Grooming needs and training needs can also alter depending on the coat type and intelligence. For example a rottweiler golden retriever mix with need different dietary supplementation and pitbull golden retriever mix will need different training approaches.
Care for them to the best of your ability.
There is plenty of general information that new owners can take on board to take good care of their new friend. However, it is important to pay close attention to the personality and health care needs of the dog as an individual. The dietary and veterinary tips in these 8 tips to care for golden retriever puppy are a great starting point. But be prepared to adapt them if a pup has more specialist needs.
Be kind, caring and vigilant with this new puppy. Remember that the love and care you show them from the start will shape their development and relationships as they grow up. Start with the best possible intentions and never deviate from that path.
