(Part 3) Top products from r/goldenretrievers

Congrats!! If you've never had a puppy before, my #1 recommendation is to get a trainer who will come to your house and work with you. They are more for you than for the dog. We did that and while it was really expensive, it was a blessing!

One thing our trainer told us is to let the puppy have access to only a little bit of the house at a time. A crate helps with that, but we didn't want it to feel like punishment and we wanted to be able to let him play around just as a dog in a controlled area. So we bought this playpen and zip tied it to the crate. You can also get linoleum to put underneath the playpen area, but make sure it's all one sheet (otherwise he'll chew on the ends). That also helps clean up potty mistakes!

Speaking of potty, we got a little bell to put on the door. We made him nudge it with his nose or paw (basically picked him up) every time we went out. Then when we finally let him explore more, he knew how to let us know he had to go. Of course, he also used it just as an excuse to go outside, so there's that.

You mentioned you're good to go on crates--did you get one that is life stages and lets you adjust how much room is available? Not a huge deal if not, but if you did, make sure you use it. They don't need a whole lot of room in the crate because they'll just pee on one end and sleep on the other.

For grooming, you don't really need a lot for a puppy (at least in our experience, and our older dog grew up to be a HUGE fluffball). You're more likely to hurt him and turn him off. For our grown up guys, we use a pin brush, a rake brush, a de-matting comb, grooming scissors, and dremmel. We also do your normal ear cleaning solution (we get ours from the vet, so I don't remember the brand offhand, it's the same thing as online) and shampoo. This is what we used when they were puppies. Another essential is puppy wipes for pesky danglers and muddy paws.

For a puppy, though, I really wouldn't use all that stuff. We used a little kong brush to get him used to a brush on his fur, but we didn't even use that until his fur was a little longer (but still too short to use the other brushes). The big thing with grooming a puppy is getting him used to you touching him EVERYWHERE. Stick your fingers in his ears and mouth, rub all over his paws, make him lay down on his back in your lap, etc. Definitely start on nails asap--even if you don't actually trim them, just holding the dremmel up to their nails and getting them used to it helps A LOT. Also the ear cleaner is an essential for golden puppies. Our trainer and vet both told us to drop it in their ears, let them shake their heads, then use q-tips in all the nooks and crannies.

Other essential products are LOTS of toys. You'll figure out real quick what your guy likes. Our first dog was more of a casual chewer, so fabric toys worked, but our second dog LOVES to eat fabric so we had to go with hard toys only. I highly recommend toys by West Paw! As you know, golden puppies will chew on LITERALLY EVERYTHING so you need a backup distractor toy at all times to replace the flavor of the minute. Keep in mind that if you give up trying to stop them chewing on something (say, for example, your computer chair), they will think it's ok to chew on that for the rest of their life. :(

We also got a slow-feeder bowl because our guys gobble down their food like it will disappear if they don't. And if your guy is really annoying with the water bowl (i.e., repeatedly knocking it over), don't worry too much--he'll grow out of it. I recommend keeping a towel under it until he learns all he wants to know about water!

Have fun with your little guy!!!! I'll add anything else I can think of later but feel free to ask if there's anything else you're curious about!

I'm in the same boat you are, just 6 months in. Never had a dog before, always a cat person. Here's what I've learned (so far).

1. All they want is to be with you. If she's not with you, she probably into something.
   
2. They're smart. So smart that you'll realize you're not as smart as you thought you were. I bought ours this, filled it with treats, then anxiously awaited as he tried to solve the puzzle. He just picked the whole thing up and flipped it over so that all of the treat covers fell out. "Problem" solved.
   
3. It took ours a couple months to get the "retriever" part down, but once he did.. man he brings us everything.
   
4. Give him lots of toys that he can "work" at. Kong toys with treats in them, maze balls, etc. I'm thinking of picking up something like this for ours next.
   
5. Be ready to walk. Cold, hot, doesn't matter. Golden's need exercise and love to run. On that note...
   
6. Get him out to a dog park or visit with other dog-having friends as much as you can! Not only is it great for socializing the dog, but she'll be tired out from all of the playing.
   
7. Try to curb jumping up as soon as possible. we didn't do this, and now we're kicking ourselves.
   
8. Get some training books and start as soon as you feel your pup is ready. Ours looooves being engaged and figuring out what he's supposed to do.
   
9. When she picks up something she's not supposed to, don't chase after her. Again, this is our boys favorite game now. "Oh, daddy is trying to work? I'm just going to grab this pillow and run!"
   
10. Remember that it's always your fault. Any bad behavior is the result of the dog not being told what is allowed. Positive reinforcement is always the better option!

My solution is to not leave tennis balls or ropes laying around since they are easy to be picked apart/destroyed. I use those toys when I am actively playing with my dog (about 2 years old). Anything that can't fall apart with ease can stay out and about.

Pick him up one of these Nylabone Chew Toys. They last for quite some time and my dog LOVES chewing on it. Just don't step on it or watch out for your pup dropping it on your feet!

The more darker golden is Lola, she is 4 years old! The younger light color is Odis, this little monster is 7 months old! He's high energy. For toys, for these two. Ropes seem to work. These are all Canadian prices and on the Canadian Amazon

https://www.amazon.ca/Benebone-Wishbone-Durable-Aggressive-Chewers/dp/B00IK243R6/ref=mp_s_a_1_21?hvadid=74766848054309&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvqmt=e&keywords=dog+toys&qid=1570538665&sr=8-21

https://www.amazon.ca/JW-Pet-Company-Chompion-Middleweight/dp/B0002DJWS6/ref=mp_s_a_1_123?hvadid=74766848054309&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvqmt=e&keywords=dog+toys&qid=1570538806&sr=8-123

https://www.amazon.ca/Dogit-Striped-Cotton-Spiral-18-Inch/dp/B001B7U0C4/ref=mp_s_a_1_194?hvadid=74766848054309&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvqmt=e&keywords=dog+toys&qid=1570538881&sr=8-194

Puppies will like to chew on everything because of the teeth are coming in and they hurt. Anything tough should help. My pups like sticks from the yard😂. If they help then hey, why not.

I've tried a few over the years. Recently we switched from Science Diet Advanced Fitness to http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W5SLB8?refRID=ST6TKSR0XVJR7K8C9P89&ref_=pd_bia_nav_t_1

My golden loves the new stuff. LOVES

My dog eats Pro Plan Sport. it came highly recommended from his breeder. And he has a nice shiny coat to go with his crazy energy.

Also, it might be worth it to get amazon prime just for the dog food. Its cheaper than the pet stores and free shipping.

You should look into an Easy-Walk Harness. The leash clips at the chest and it prevents the dog from pulling. They work really well, and without it (just using a collar), my Golden will pull me down the street- and I'm a big guy. He's very prey driven too (squirrels, chipmunks, etc.). It's like walking with a totally different dog when he's not wearing it.

Its your dog and you can do as you wish, but a lot of people (myself included) aren't big fans of those pronged/pinch collars. They are painful and if not used correctly, can cause harm.

In any case, I'n not here to start a controversy, he's a beautiful dog. Enjoy him!

​

edit: clarity

If you discover that she likes to catch or fetch balls, these ChuckIt balls are the best we've found. Our golden will chew a tennis ball into little bits in about 10 minutes but these things are nearly indestructible. They also float if Penny has a place to play in the water.

Haha wow if you scroll down the page it says frequent buyers also purchase: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002TNF9V6/ref=pd_aw_fbt__petsupplies_img_2?refRID=02SBZN505YZ7M5NRS1X5

Kitten mittens, except for pups

My favorite is the Oster undercoat rake. Its very efficient and my dog loves being brushed with it. I have a slicker brush and FURminator and they're both decent, but they are more time-consuming and my dog has mixed feelings about being groomed with them.

He actually stinks? That shouldn't really happen if you are bathing him several times a week. The fur you really just need to vacuum all the time. Basically no way around that. For the smell you could use a scented dog shampoo. I like this as it smells really good if you put it on heavy and its formulated for dog use. If he's still stinking I was make sure he doesn't have any skin folds that aren't getting enough air when you wash him. I had a friend who had a fat bulldog who smelled like shit until they figured that problem out.

1. Brush him daily
   
2. Vacuum daily
   
3. Bathe him with something good smelling
   
4. Make sure hes 100% dry before finishing.

It’s seasonal, so it won’t be this bad forever! I find this gets a good deal of that undercoat they shed this time of year out: undercoat rake I like it better than the Furminator because it doesn’t cut the fur at all.

Bolux 3M Reflective Dog Leash 5ft... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0746C9PW4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness, No... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TRF3VO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.amazon.com/Mini-ORKA-Pine-Cone-Dog/dp/B000TZ726G check this out OP :)

this product will help with long howling nights

I bought this:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000JJDI0G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Worked really well and you can buy extensions. Don't have to mount it to anything either.

http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Pet-Products-Gentle-Leader-Headcollar-Large/dp/B00074L4W2

http://amzn.com/B001LUO1K8

Most dogs hate gentle leaders, get an easy walk and be done with it.

We got one of these and clipped it to the side of his exercise pen with a carabiner. It was high enough that he could drink but not get his paws inside to splash and we raised it as he grew. Now at 10 months, he's completely outgrown trying to swim in his water bowl (he just desperately tries to get to any largish body of water he sees to go real swimming now).