— Breed of the Month —

Golden Retriever

These magnificent looking dogs are renowned for having one of the most stable temperaments of all of the breeds which is one of the reasons they are so popular around the world. Their lovable nature and overall compatibility with humans, other dogs and animals, is what makes a breed of dog that people love. They are also the least likely to be aggressive or anti-social.

The Golden Retriever is a large breed of dog (average 55 – 75 pounds) with a fun-loving nature that suits most people’s lifestyle. Because they learn quickly, they are great family pets and lifelong companions. They are strong dogs and hard workers whether they are hunting, guiding, servicing or performing search and rescue activities.

If there is a downside to this breed, it might be their coat type, the care it requires and the shedding from the dense undercoat. But this is a small price to pay for sharing your life with this magnificent breed of dog that ticks all the boxes when it comes to temperament.

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Breed Traits and Characteristics

According to the American Kennel Club, here are some breed characteristic you can find in Golden Retrievers. 

 

  • Height

    23-24 inches (male), 21.5-22.5 inches (female)

  • Weight

    65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)

  • Life Expectancy

    10-12 years

  • Coat Type/Length

    Double/Medium

  • 100 Affectionate with Family
  • 100 Good with Young Children
  • 100 Good with Other Dogs
  • 100 Trainability Level
  • 60 Energy Level
  • 20 Barking Level
  • 80 Shedding Level
  • 40 Drooling Level

The History of Golden Retrievers

Scotland

Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland in the 19th century to retrieve waterfowl and game birds. They were popular with the Scottish elite who loved hunting and needed an energetic dog capable of bringing the birds back unharmed.

As guns became more effective over long distances, more birds were being felled and the need for the perfect dog with the retrieval ability to help the hunter became important.

The breed had to be capable of navigating their way through rough terrain, over long distances, determined and undeterred, retrieve the birds where they had fallen and bring them back to the hunter intact. The Golden Retriever was excellent at performing these tasks and so their popularity as a great retriever grew.

Although they are still used for hunting, Golden’s excel at many other activities including search and rescue and guide work.

United Kingdom

The Golden Retriever was first bred in Scotland and then spread throughout the UK. The United Kingdom style of Golden Retrievers are slightly different than the North American types with thick coats and larger body weight.

British-type Golden Retrievers can be found in Europe and Australia. They have a larger, broader skull, larger chest and forequarters and are more muscular than those found in the USA and Canada. The coat is generally lighter in color than in the American types, with the blonder color being very popular in Australia. The darker colors of gold, red or mahogany are hardly ever seen.

Golden Retrievers have muscular bodies with great endurance, owing to their origins as hunting and gun dogs.

United States

In the USA in 1938, the Golden Retriever Club of America was founded. Golden Retrievers are ranked number two for American Kennel Club Registrations. According to the pure bred dog guide recognized by the American Kennel Club, Golden Retrievers are judged based on a variety of traits: color, coat, ears, feet, nose, body, etc.

Canada

The Honourable Archie Marjori Banks took a Golden Retriever to Canada in 1881, and registered 'Lady' with the AKC in 1894. These are the first records of the breed in these two countries. The breed was first registered in Canada in 1927, and the Golden Retriever Club of Ontario (GRCO) was formed in 1958. The cofounders of the GRCO were Cliff Drysdale, an Englishman who had brought over an English Golden, and Jutta Baker, daughter-in-law of Louis Baker, who owned Northland Kennels. The GCRO in later years expanded to become the Golden Retriever Club of Canada.

Golden Retriever Grooming

Coat

Brush your Golden regularly and bathe them 4-5 times a year, unless they get extremely dirty. Be sure when you do bathe your dog that you dry them thoroughly followed by a brisk walk until they dry completely. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.

Because of their lush coat, they need to have regular grooming and brushing to keep them looking beautiful.

Nail care

Goldens need their nails clipped at least once a month. Start out using a treat to accustom them to the clipping procedure.

Don’t rush in and grab your puppies foot and start clipping immediately. This alarms most dogs and they will automatically try to pull back, bite your hand and a tussle begins. If you puppy begins to fear nail clipping early on it can lead to a lifetime of headaches.

Start off by just picking your puppies paw up, offer a treat and let it go. Once your puppy accepts that, some pups will begin to lift their paw just to get the treat. Now you can produce the clippers, just take the paw, touch the puppy’s nail briefly with the clippers, offer a treat and let go. Lavish praise! Never grip your puppy’s paw on the pad as most dogs are ticklish there. Always grip them gently at the knuckle just above the paw. This is more comfortable for your dog and they are less likely to resist.

Initially get your puppy used to you holding its paw and the clippers touching their nail. Begin by only increasing this process to clipping one nail. Offer a treat and lots of praise, like they have done something fantastic. Then leave it until the next day, and repeat the same procedure.

Golden Retriever Health

Your Golden Retriever’s health concerns will change over the course of their life. A puppy might be more prone to swallow something they shouldn’t, a 2-year-old Golden may be more likely to rupture their knee ligament, and a senior Golden is far more likely to develop arthritis or cancer as they age. Goldens also have personality and physical traits that may make them more prone to certain conditions— a Golden Retriever who loves to swim may develop an ear infection more often than a breed with a pricked ear.

Common Injuries and Illnesses

At any stage of life, there are some of the most common injuries and illnesses you should be aware of when bringing home a Golden Retriever:

  • Vomiting and Diarrhea
  • Cruciate Ruptures
  • Ear Infections
  • Masses
  • Arthritis
  • Ingestion of foreign material

If you are ever concerned about your dog’s health, your local veterinarian is a great resource—no matter how small the question.

Genetic Health Concerns

Like many popular breeds, the Golden Retriever has its fair share of hereditary based issues, like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Most reputable breeders now have their breeding stock checked and scored for these hereditary ailments by a vet. You can request proof that the puppy you are purchasing comes from parents that have been checked for these issues. 

Because many other health issues are also hereditary, you should do some research on the ancestry of your puppy and any health issues of that particular breed. Other Golden Retriever health issues to watch out for:

  • Allergies to things like food, grasses and pollens
  • Bone and joint problems
  • Cancer
  • Cataracts
  • Diabetes
  • Epilepsy
  • Heart disease
  • Liver problems
  • Thyroid disease

Regular Vet Visits

Some of these ailments may not be hereditary but could stem from environmental or dietary issues. Be sure that your dog is fed on a healthy diet and receives regular vet checks to ensure it always stays healthy.

As a pet owner, you should expect to pay for basic veterinary care like vaccines, spay/neuter, and annual checkups. Many pet owners don’t consider the unexpected illnesses and injuries that can occur throughout a pet’s life, and they don’t prepare for them. Medical insurance can help a pet owner prepare.

The concept of medical insurance for pets is fairly straightforward—pay a monthly premium to be covered for eligible veterinary expenses. But every provider is different, offering varied coverage with different plans, pricing options and limitations. As you research, pay close attention to coverage, deductible options, and ease of use.

Golden Retriever Training

A Breed Eager to Please

The Golden is one of the safest breeds and most lovable. They make a great family dog and are loyal and trustworthy. Golden lovers know how lucky they are to have a breed of dog that has the all-round personality that fits into most situations with ease. Their temperament is generally very stable. If you choose a breeder who breeds ethically, you will have an all-around fun-loving dog, with a great temperament and overall grace and beauty.

You can teach a Golden Retriever almost anything because they are highly intelligent and willing to please. They are very keen to learn new things and bond easily to their family members. Although they might initially be over-exuberant, they will soon learn to calm down and listen.

The most common reason Bark Busters dog trainers are called in is to address barking or over-exuberance and food aggression. Rarely are we asked to address aggression towards humans or other animals in Golden Retrievers.

This breed are lovers, not fighters.

Aggression

Although aggression is rare, we do see it in some fearful temperament types. This needs an experienced knowledge base of how to address these issues effectively through the proper dog training techniques. Although Bark Busters has seen relatively few Golden Retrievers with aggression issues, this problem is easily solved once we identify the reason behind it. We do however get quite a lot of ‘food aggression’ cases.

Food aggression

Food aggression is quite common in this breed, especially if they were not properly imprinted as a puppy. Some breeders like to feed their puppies from one large bowl which causes the puppies to push and shove each other to ensure they get enough to eat. This creates urgency in the puppy to rush its food and a feeling its being deprived. The puppy thinks that if he doesn’t learn to fight to protect his meal, he will starve.

This invariably leads to ‘food aggression’ which is jostling for position at the food bowl resulting in bickering and all out fights.

The ideal way to wean puppies of all breeds, is to have them eating from something like a muffin tin, so they all get an adequate opportunity to eat with ease. You can also feed them with individual bowls. This way there is no feeling of urgency, no sense of feeling deprived, no fights and no jostling for position.

Barking

The Golden Retrievers are a very vocal breed and barking issues are often a behavior that Bark Busters is called to address.

Don’t allow your Golden Retriever to demand attention from you, by barking and then getting your attention or a response from you. They may bark to go outside, bark to get fed or bark simply for attention. If you tolerate these mis-behaviors it will only encourage your dog to bark more.

Bark Busters can tailor a dog training behavior modification program for you and your dog that will address any barking issue your dog has using communication and leadership, kindness and understanding.

Recall-come when called

Golden Retrievers are renowned for their ability to bound away without notice, leaving their frustrated owner looking bewildered and unable to get them back quickly. This is a dangerous behavior and something that could spell disaster for your dog.

If you have a recall problem, then start off on a long leash and condition your dog to stay close and to come when requested. Don’t allow your dog off the leash until you first teach them to come back immediately when called or this could spell trouble.

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Need help training your Golden Retriever? Call 1-877-500-BARK (2275)or enter your zip code.

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Notorious Water Lovers

Pool Safety for your Golden Retriever

Goldens love the water and won’t take much coercing to get them swimming. This comes as no surprise considering their origin. As dog owners, it’s our job to make sure they are safe. If you have a pool in your backyard be sure that your dog is trained in poo safety. You might well ask, why would a Golden Retriever that can swim efficiently, need pool safety training? They have to be able to locate the stairs as some dogs stubbornly try to exit the way they went in. There have been incidences where dogs or young puppies have fallen into a backyard pool and the owners have found them near exhaustion or worse dead from trying to get themselves out of the pool. Your dog needs to know where the stairs or exit from the pool is, or they could just swim around for hours, attempting to get out of the pool where they went in. They can easily tire and drown.

Even though Golden Retrievers are adept at swimming and are addicted to water, they still need to be trained how to exit backyard pools safely. A dog can drown in a backyard pool, even an adept swimmer like the Golden Retriever. The reason being is, the side of the pool is slippery and does not allow a dog to gain a foothold, to allow it to easily climb out.

It is hard-wired in the domestic dog as it was in the wild dogs, that when they fall into a creek or a river, they would instinctively attempt to exit the water at the exact spot where they entered or fell in. This is nature’s way of protecting them for those times when they fall through the ice while maneuvering frozen creeks or rivers. A fall into icy water could be fatal and the instinct is to get out quickly, not to swim around and find another option.

Steps to make your Golden Retriever safe around the pool

  • Start water training as soon as your new dog or puppy is venturing outside and near the pool.
  • Fit a firm collar and long leash to your puppy or dog and let them enter the pool and swim around a little while. Now gently guide them, using the long leash, to the stairs or where you know they can exit the pool with ease and allow them to exit the pool on their own. You are conditioning your dog or puppy to locate the right way out of the pool.
  • If you help them, you can slow their ability to be able to get themselves out of trouble if ever they were to fall into the pool or in an emergency when you are not there.
  • If it is impossible for your dog or puppy to exit easily, then your puppy/dog must NEVER be left alone near the pool or he could drown.
  • Once you see that your dog can exit easily, then start having the pup or dog enter at different points, still attached to the leash. Make sure that they are capable of working out how to swim towards the exit or stairs and get out of the pool.

Read more about pool safety for dogs!

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Hear from Bark Busters Clients Who Have a Golden Retriever

Damon was a pleasure to work with. After our first session, we immediately noticed improvements with our Golden Retriever puppy. We look forward to working with Damon further!
We were having a problem with our golden retriever Wrigley barking uncontrollably. We read the reviews of Bark Busters and decided to give them a try. After the first 3 hour visit there was a noticeable difference in her behavior regarding the barking. We felt more in control because we now had a strategy in place. We are continually working on things from the program with Wrigley to make her a better dog and member of our family. Vicky is very knowledgeable about the program and dogs in general. We feel very comfortable with her. She is easy to reach for any questions you may have. Vicky is always prompt and professional. We are extremely happy and satisfied with Bark Busters.
Navigating the challenges of owning an 8-week-old Golden Retriever would have been incredibly overwhelming without Kevin's help! As first-time puppy owners, my wife and I were unsure how to handle all the different phases. Kevin provided invaluable guidance tailored to our specific situation that books and TV shows couldn't match. We are so grateful for his support!
We contacted Bark Busters for help with our 1 year old Golden Retriever. Maverick is such a sweet boy in so many ways, but has issues with jumping up and being crazy on the leash! We were struggling every time we had to take him out. We definitely needed help! We had our first visit with Bonnie, and after 2 hours, he was a different puppy! It was finally enjoyable to go for a walk! She was so good and patient with him. Her knowledge and guidance trained us and our puppy responded so quickly. It has already been life-changing for us! We will continue to work on everything we learned. Thank you for all your help Bonnie! We look forward to our next session!
Our experience with Luis was excellent. He was very punctual and communicated regularly and promptly regarding the appointment. Luis explained everything throughly and patiently, allowing for questions and ensuring our understanding. He showed a genuine interest in and respect for our puppy, and allowed us to practice the techniques, providing feedback to ensure the best execution. I would highly recommend Luis.
We have two beloved Havanese, who ruled the roost, barking at anything that moved (or didn’t) and constantly insisting on going out and then coming in, wash and repeat. Driving us crazy. After Bonnie’s first visit, they’ve become wonderful little citizens, quieting when told and basically only asking to go out when needed. We still have work to do, but the change is absolutely astounding. Bonnie is wonderful to work with. Money very well spent.
I'm grateful for your knowledge and experience as I navigate the world of dogs on a daily basis. Very professional and kind. Dog and person.
Joshua has been a great help to me and my partner. Very professional and knowledgeable. Easy to work with and understanding of people's situations and how to itinerant with people and their dogs.
Josh was very knowledgeable and really worked with Benny to change behaviors. He showed us a lot of different areas to improve Beeny's behavior.
Scott spent almost 5 hours with us the first day to get our puppy ready to start training! We could already see an improvement in her that evening and into the next day! We’re so excited to have a lifetime guarantee with Scott and Holly and feel reassured that they are just a phone call away! Can’t recommend them enough! If you have a new puppy or any dog for that matter who could use a little extra TLC, call them. You won’t be disappointed!!
Saw results already by the end of my first session with Deb and puppy Alexei! It was really me being trained as I became educated on how to interact with Alexei with communication and praising. Amazing!
I have a feeling; I will do a better job. I'm, calm (relived), Josh is great! ! !
We worked with Jared in Minneapolis. He was clearly extremely knowledgeable, very friendly, and easy to schedule with. We are very impressed by the program, and it has helped tremendously with our dog, Chip's (black lab mix) leash and dog reactivity and excessive barking inside the apartment. We look forward to continuing to help our dog be less anxious around other dogs. We are Bark Busters for life! Carson and Evan
We gained lots of new information and got a refresher on previous training. We saw a dramatic change in both our dog's behavior very quickly after the tools we were given.
Like Christmas morning, such a relief to see changes!
Where do I even begin - Kyle came into our lives exactly when we needed him. My husband and I found out we were pregnant with our first child in March of this year and were beyond thrilled! However, not long after we found out we were pregnant two of our dogs, Lexi and Lucy (pictured) started exhibiting sibling “rivalry” behavior and were seemly trying to be overly protective of me towards one another. They have always cuddled, played well together, and never had issues, but after 3 incidents in which I had to physically intervene between them, my husband and I decided to seek out some professional help before our baby’s arrival. After meeting Kyle, I knew right away how helpful and supportive he would be throughout this process. In working with each of our dogs individually on their impulse control and, most importantly, training us to teach our dogs that we are the pack leaders, I can confidently say that Lexi and Lucy are slowly gaining confidence around each other again. They cuddle on the couch together (as pictured) and play together again, which we didn’t think would be a possibility after the events that occurred earlier in the year. Kyle gave us the tools, skills, and support to help restore their relationship and we are so thankful. He also gave us helpful tips on how to better prepare our pack for baby’s arrival. He is a stand up guy and exudes passion for what he does. Anytime we need support outside of sessions, Kyle is there. I cannot recommend him enough. Thank you doesn’t do what you did for our family justice, Kyle. We are so so grateful for you!
Jared has a lot of experience with all kinds of dog behaviors, and in our case with the anxiety of small dogs. He taught us how to anticipate and calm down our Havanese (10lb!!!) when she's confronted with larger dogs. This is working well for us, she's better behaved in public already.
I had no idea what to expect, but after our first session with Scott, we already have practical advice to implement with Nova - and I am able to enjoy living in my house again without an anxious dog that is constantly underfoot! Looking forward to learning more at our next sessions!
I learned more in 2 hours than I have my entire life with Jeff. After listening to Jeff I felt so much more confident in training my dog. I can’t wait to see her improvement after we do our homework this week
Wonderful. Bella did such an awesome job. Training was so wonderful! Josh did a fantastic job with Bella and Debra + I today. We all learned a lot. We are ready for the next steps- Thank you Josh!
Very helpful and informative! Helped us understand why the dog acts the way he does. Easy instruction and clear with info.
James has helped me become a happy dog owner and my fur baby, Laney, a happier and calmer dog. Laney is a shelter rescue. When I first adopted her, she had no connection to the person on the other end of the leash. Pulling wasn’t the only issue; she was highly reactive around other dogs. I'm a shelter volunteer and had walked her numerous times and she never reacted around other dogs. But after a couple weeks of having her, that changed. It got so bad I dreaded walking her. I watched dog training videos online, read a Cesar Milan book and not much changed. What I liked about Bark Busters is that they work with you and your dog. So many places want you to hand over your dog for training. That made zero sense to me. James’ training methods are thoughtful and kind. And he respects an owner’s dog-training desires and the dog’s personality. What I learned about dogs and training from him is invaluable. What Laney has learned is that she can walk right by my side, enjoy her walks, and feel safe.
Our experience with Marc was magical! We started the session with an anxious Bernedoodle, bitting, barking and pulling. Following Marc’s training, our dog’s behavior changed in a matter of minutes!!

Marc carefully and patiently explained how we need to communicate with our dog and it has been an absolute blessing. Our doodle is no longer biting or barking, and we are improving our walks every day.

Thank you so much, Marc!
Johnny Jumper was awesome and definitely made a difference in my sweet angelic dog Enzo just after the first session 😃♥️ He was clear in the fact that it’s a joint effort and I have a job to do as well. Consistency is key! I highly suggest Johnny Jumper! 😃
Ryanne has been incredible, I can highly recommend her to anyone with a dog with behavioral issues! We have a very stubborn mini dachshund who showed territorial aggression and excessive marking and barking. We have only had a handful of sessions with Ryanne, but our dog has shown improvements we would not have believed a couple of weeks ago. He is able to stay overnight in his own crate without wining, we can eat in peace without him harassing us, his barking has reduced by 80-90%, and we have learned very easy-to-use techniques to help him calm down more quickly when we have visitors. We love Bark Busters focus on communication techniques rather than treats or punishments, as we can use these techniques anywhere.

Ryanne has also been very responsive and often checks in with us. Bark Busters is well worth the price, which is very affordable compared to similar companies who typically do not offer as many in-home training hours or follow-up appointments.
Moose and I had our first training session with Bonnie she was wonderful! Moose still needs a lot of work, but I am hopeful that the more work we do with Bonnie, and the more comfortable he becomes with our new home that he will be much calmer and happier. Thank you Bonnie!
2 sessions in and so far so good, no miracle fixes as it does take time to complete the big picture (but we feel happy and are having fun with the progress) and it should be noted the method is to train the humans to lead. It is very interesting and eye opening when you start to realize how much you inadvertently allow your pooch to lead.
Our trainer is Erin Miller and she seems very passionate and knowledgeable, a person that seems to want to know each clients individual needs and is very easy to work with.
Truly transformational! It was amazing to see what Marc could accomplish in just 3-hours. He taught me how to be the "Alpha dog" so Ollie doesn't think he needs to do it - i.e. no aggressive barking when friends come over. The leash training is still a challenge - we continue to practice each day. It's a long road, but I think we'll get there. Thanks so much!

Need Dog Training Assistance with Your Golden Retriever? Find Your Local Trainer Now!

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