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Because of their intelligent, gentle, and trainable personalities, golden retrievers are one of America’s favorite dogs, and they make excellent pets for any sized family.
Although Golden puppies are famous for their easygoing personalities, that doesn’t mean they’re different from other puppy breeds. As with any puppy, there’s plenty of planning, prepping, and shopping to do beforehand to ensure the best possible experience for your family and your new pet.
If you’re bringing a Golden Retriever puppy home to your family, here’s what you need to do before and after the adoption (plus, what to look for in a quality breeder).
Although your pup may not be able to go on full neighborhood walks at a young age, it’s a good idea to get him used to the concept of wearing a collar, leash, and dog tags.
However, avoid retractable leashes whenever possible: Although they seem easier during walks, retractable leashes are actually dangerous, especially for young puppies who are still getting the hang of walking on a leash. Keep your puppy on a regular leash with a maximum of six feet of space between you both.
Snowy Pines recommends slip leads: Slip leads are what puppies are taught to walk on from a young age at Snowy Pines, since they give you as the walker more control over the puppy as he gets the hang of normal walks. You also don’t have to worry about your puppy slipping out of their collars if they get frightened.
On your pup’s collar, the dog tags should state his name, home address, and phone number. You can also opt for an embroidered collar if your puppy seems bothered by the noise or extra weight of the dog tags. Many puppy owners choose embroidered collars since dog tags should be removed when the puppy is left alone as they can pose a hazard.
Your puppy is so young that you’ll be feeding him measured portions throughout the day. You can stick with a small food and water bowl. Snowy Pines recommends glass or stainless steel bowls since they’re not porous. If you’d like, you can also choose stimulating alternatives like a slow-feeder bowl.
Your puppy will need high-quality food to grow strong! You can also check out our puppy feeding guide to learn more about how much food you’ll need.
It’s always a good idea to have a designated spot for your puppy to nap and sleep. In most cases, this means his own dog crate. A good dog crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. However, the crate shouldn’t be large enough for him to potty in and have space to move away from it since this will discourage him from going outside when he needs to go.
You can choose a crate that expands as it grows to save money in the long run. Most of our puppies at Snowy Pines will do well in a 42-inch wire kennel with a divider that you can remove once he gets bigger. We recommend using an elevated dog bed since they’re easy to clean and distribute the puppy’s pressure evenly. Be sure to check out our dog bed reviews too!
Whether you’re a new or seasoned puppy owner, you know how important toys are!
You’ll want a variety of different toys for your puppy to keep his interest and help him develop motor skills that are critical for development. Chew toys will also help deter your puppy from chewing on things he shouldn’t, like shoes or furniture.
Remember that most toys should not be left alone with your puppy since unsupervised playtime can lead to a choking or blockage incident.
Puzzle toys keep your pup mentally stimulated while they also have fun. Additionally, these interactive toys provide help with weight management, satisfy natural hunting instincts, and even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. And, of course, they give your pup a job to do, which fulfills a Retriever’s natural instincts!
Providing chew toys helps teach your pup what’s appropriate to chew on instead of hands and furniture. These toys can easily become a comfort item and help curb any potential anxiety as well. Plus, chew toys promote dental health by keeping your puppy’s gums and teeth clean!
Golden puppies need to have regular exercise. Ideally, you’ll have two to three 20- to 30-minute exercise and play sessions every day. Chase toys are simple things you can buy at any pet store, like ropes and balls, but some interactive chew toys are designed to add a little zing to your daily play routines.
Even if you’re giving your puppy plenty of playtime outside, exercise or playtime pens are ideal for allowing your puppy to play around freely while you’re busy around the house.
So, for example, if your puppy just woke up from his nap and pottied, but you need to do laundry and load the dishwasher, the exercise pen is a perfect solution. It enables your pup to enjoy safe solo playtime.
Food is a powerful reinforcer, so treats are incredibly beneficial in the early stages of puppy training.
Not only are treats essential during your short training lessons, but you’ll also see excellent outcomes if you try reinforcing good behaviors with a treat throughout your puppy’s day. Try offering him a treat when he potties outside or uses a chew toy.
Quick Tip: The treat should be small and chewy so that he can eat it fast and keep his attention on you!
Accidents happen, but that doesn’t mean your home needs to suffer because of it! With the proper carpet cleaner and enzyme spray, you can quickly combat any potty mistakes anywhere in the house.
Enzyme sprays are uniquely designed to digest bacterias found in waste, soils, and stains so that they’re easier to consume, and therefore, easier to remove and clean.
The Retriever family has a unique, double-layered coat designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. It also dries quickly after becoming wet. It is such an impressive coat that it is essentially self-cleaning when it comes to dirt and debris.
But even so, it’s still a good idea to help keep your Golden Retriever’s coat clean with the proper dog shampoo. Dog shampoos won’t strip your golden’s coat of its natural oils, and the conditioner will help keep his coat soft, fluffy, and luxurious looking throughout adolescence.
You don’t have to brush your puppy’s teeth every day as you would yours, but it’s a good idea to introduce the routine when he is between six and eight weeks old. He’s more likely to get used to it later down the line if you start early.
Brushing your dog’s teeth will help avoid major dental problems like periodontal disease, which affects more than two-thirds of dogs.
A pooper scooper is a handy tool that many homeowners with yards find essential. Instead of bending down every time your pup goes, you can use a pooper scooper to clutch onto the waste and quickly throw it in your outside garbage bin.
When you’re on a walk, poop bags are crucial. They are also expected as a common courtesy to other people outside. In some areas, it’s illegal under the Pooper Scooper Law not to pick up your dog’s waste!
Goldens have such luxurious coats that they’ll need to be groomed with a slicker brush, metal comb, and undercoat rake every one to two weeks to avoid painful matting.
These brushes are essential for a golden retriever’s coat since they get into both the top and bottom layers. In between, you can keep your puppy’s coat comfortable, shiny, and tangle-free with a soft brush and daily brushing.
Grooming wipes can also be helpful if your puppy rolled around in some dirt that just won’t come out.
Puppies are like toddlers: They’re curious and will get into just about anything. Test this out by leaving a cabinet or door open that you usually wouldn’t, and you’ll see just how quickly you hear the pitter-pattering of your puppy’s paws.
So before your English Cream Golden puppy comes home, be sure that your home, backyard, and car are puppy-safe and puppy-proofed. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
Like children, puppies thrive on a fixed routine because an orderly one instills structure and confidence. Sticking to a schedule can also help reinforce potty training and prevent behavioral issues, like separation anxiety and barking or whining.
It’s a good idea to map out and plan your puppy’s daily routine before he even comes home. This way, you’re not wondering what should happen next, and you can begin enforcing the schedule on day one. Think of a schedule that works best for your puppy, which should include:
Here’s a good sample schedule for most Golden Retriever puppies:
You’ve spent weeks preparing your home for your new Golden Retriever puppy’s arrival with all the right gear, toys, proofing, and routine-making. And now is the exciting part: Your puppy is finally home!
But now what? It’s time to focus on helping your puppy adjust to their new home and schedule through socialization, training, and setting up essential services like vets, groomers, and dog sitters.
Socialization is vital for young puppies, especially between 8 to 16 weeks of age: A well-socialized puppy will grow into a happy and confident adult that feels secure in various situations.
During your Golden Retriever puppy’s first few days in the home, it’s best to allow him to meet any people or animals that will be sharing the house. For example, even if your cat has plans to hide, it’s a good idea to let the puppy see and smell the cat so that it becomes familiar.
You can also invite friends and family over to meet the puppy. In this case, more is always merrier! To help your puppy feel comfortable around humans in general, expose him to different types of people when he is still young. (This doesn’t mean that your puppy needs to meet every person they come in contact with since you want to avoid pulling from you every time they see somebody new.)
For example, if you don’t have kids in your household, try to spend time with your friends or family members who have children so your puppy becomes accustomed to little ones.
And, since you shouldn’t bring your puppy into public places until he’s fully vaccinated, hanging out with friends and family in the yard is the next best thing. We also recommend holding off on public settings like dog parks until your puppy is settled into his new home and routine so as to not overwhelm him.
Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can consider signing him up for puppy socialization classes. These classes allow him to meet other puppies, where he’ll also be taught proper etiquette for interacting with strangers.
These classes, alongside training courses, can help prepare your pup for a long walk or a day at doggy day camp.
Training is just as essential as early socialization. Without training, your puppy won’t learn his place in your family. He may become disruptive and exhibit poor behaviors like jumping on visitors, chewing on furniture, and barking incessantly, among other frustrating challenges. Your puppy may also struggle with separation anxiety.
There are many online resources, like AKC’s Puppy Training Guide or Snowy Pines’ Puppy Training Guide, that you can use to help train your puppy from the day he comes home. Here’s what you can expect in terms of training throughout your puppy’s first year:
Your Golden puppy will be anywhere between 12 to 22 pounds. They will comprehend basic commands and learn things such as his name, housebreaking, and early manners.
At this point, you’ll have just brought your puppy home, so you must reinforce your role as his family and play as much as you can with him. If you’re interested in enrolling your puppy in some socialization activities or a kindergarten training class, this is a good time to do so.
At this age, your Golden Retriever puppy will be anywhere between 20 to 40 pounds. They will be able to take on more advanced training and commands, and they should understand what good dog manners are. This age is essential when it comes to instilling how you want him to behave through adolescence.
Puppies will begin teething at this point. Your new puppy might use anything possible to exercise his teeth, so you must start teaching him not to use your hand or furniture as chew toys.
Anytime your puppy chews on something undesirable, have a toy nearby to put in his mouth instead. You can also try using bitter apple spray to deter biting and chewing on household items.
At this age, your puppy will look to you and determine if you’re his pack leader. Be firm but loving with clear, consistent commands and 15-minute training sessions each day.
Quick Tip: Keep in mind that at this age, this is when the key socialization period ends for your puppy: From this point forward, everything your puppy has learned will influence the way he behaves around people and other animals.
As your Golden puppy gets older, they will begin developing a better understanding of your family’s social structure. He will be able to understand all commands if you’ve been training your puppy consistently.
While this is good, this age will also be a challenge because he will try to determine his ranking in the household, which can be frustrating when hormones play a role!
Although spaying and neutering are standard for most breeds around six months old, studies have found that doing so for Golden Retrievers can actually increase the risk for joint disorders. Therefore, the standard for this breed has recently changed, and many vets suggest waiting to spay or neuter until 12 to 24 months.
At this age range, your puppy is now an adolescent. You’ll notice that he is still bursting with energy and testing his boundaries, so be sure to continue your socialization and training efforts well into adulthood. As they say, it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks!
Training can be an overwhelming process, which is why many Golden puppy owners opt for working with a dog trainer or enrolling in training classes. Snowy Pines offers three levels of training when adopting one of their golden retrievers, which can save you tons of time and frustration in the long run.
Take some time to research essential local services with people and companies you can trust for your puppy’s first checkups. (At your first checkup, you can also ask about getting your puppy microchipped!). You’ll also want to find reputable groomers, sitters, trainers, and so on. Here’s who you should have on-hand:
If you’re unsure how to find trustworthy vets, groomers, trainers, or dog walkers, you can start by checking verified websites that do in-depth background checks for you. Your research method should be similar to what you do when searching for a reputable breeder.
Ask yourself:
Popular websites that are accredited and trusted for their background checks include The American Kennel Club, Rover, and Care.com. And as always, you can find some of the best in the business by asking who your friends and family trust for their pups too.
Unfortunately, not all breeders are the same. Many breeders out there don’t prioritize their dogs’ health and happiness and are simply in the industry to make money.
But good breeders care about their puppies and will be certified, offer a guarantee or return policy, request an in-person interview, and be open to contact after you’ve brought your puppy home.
Good breeders care about their puppies even after they leave their homes. They will want to stay in contact and offer advice for months (and maybe years) to come.
A good, qualified breeder will also have the appropriate credentials. Some standard certifications include:
Most states don’t require breeders to register for a kennel permit unless there are five or more dogs, and in Arkansas, there is no specific law at all.
However, Snowy Pines strives to be the best, which is why they are registered with the AKC and also have OFA Hip and Elbows certifications that check the full genetic panel for diseases such as CNM, CY, DM, EIC, HNPK, HUU, PKD, PRA-prcd, and SD2.
These health tests are critical for golden retrievers since many are born with genetic or crippling joint diseases.
A breeder’s guarantee policy will be outlined and stated in the breeder contract. Most contracts will note whether the puppy is of “pet quality” or “show quality,” ask that you get the puppy spayed or neutered once sexually mature, and offer return-to-breeder clauses and health guarantees.
These clauses and guarantees allow families to return their puppies in case of genetic illness or defectiveness. Some breeders guarantee against all congenital disabilities, while others may include specific ailments like heart problems or hip dysplasia.
Many breeders offer a 48- to 72-hour window for you to go to a certified vet and receive written confirmation that something is wrong.
All breeders should provide a contract and guarantee of some sort, but none of these documents are the same. As mentioned, some guarantees are more flexible than others.
Snowy Pines, for example, offers a complete replacement guarantee against genetic defects for up to five years. Offering such a robust guarantee shows how much Snowy Pines is confident in the health of its pups. Most breeders won’t do this, so don’t assume a breeder goes this far without checking their policy details.
A good breeder will ask you questions. In fact, they’ll ask you lots of questions.
Passionate breeders want to be sure that their puppies are going to good homes and will be taken care of for years to come. It’s not uncommon for them to request that you come to visit their facilities in person and conduct an interview so they can get to know you better.
Some common questions may include:
Additionally, visiting the facility in person will give you a good idea of how the breeder takes care of its dogs. A healthy kennel should be clean, have dog-friendly flooring, plenty of pens, fresh water, and staff members actively on the scene. There should also be plenty of ventilation, doors, and windows.
Snowy Pines’ facility is located on a 120-acre property in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. They encourage visitors at any time so that prospective families can see just how they operate, even behind closed doors.
If you’ve ever bought a pet from the store or adopted from a shelter, it’s normal to walk out with your new pet and never be in contact with the store or shelter owners again. It can be difficult for these organizations to keep up with every adopted-out animal.
But breeders, on the other hand, are in the business of preserving bloodlines and creating healthy dogs, so they should treat their puppies like family long after they’ve been brought home.
A good breeder should always be happy to provide advice or answer questions or concerns in the weeks to months, or even years, after bringing your new puppy home.
Snowy Pines stays in contact with all families after their puppies have been brought home. In fact, our customer communications specialist, Julia, routinely reaches out to new customers 2 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after taking home their new family member to offer support and answers to any questions or concerns!
Whether it’s a question about their routine a week later or a holiday card sent around Christmastime, Snowy Pines is more than happy to see how their puppies are doing years later.
Learn more about how breeders take care of their puppies by researching the facility and reading customer reviews. The more you know, the more confident you can feel about the breeder you choose to adopt your new puppy from.
Every year, the pet adoption rate seems to keep growing: From 2016 to 2020, there was an average annual growth rate of 24%. And it should come as no surprise that many families are looking for golden retrievers, who are one of America’s most loyal, intelligent, calm, and gentle dogs.
There are few more exciting things than when you decide to add a Golden Retriever puppy to your family! This life-long commitment will bring you years of joy and companionship.
Before adopting your new Golden Retriever, it’s essential to start on the right foot by doing research and following an extensive new puppy checklist.
After you’ve done your puppy research, one of the best ways to start right is to work with a reputable breeder. Quality breeders are not always easy to come by, so be sure to read reviews, meet the breeders in person, tour their facility, and check their credentials.
At Snowy Pines, we pride ourselves on being the best of the best. We are a family-run, fully-certified breeding facility with generations of experience, and we always welcome visitors to explore our 120-acre Ozark property.
If you’re looking for a healthy, socialized, and sweet golden retriever puppy, then look no further. There is no doubt that Snowy Pines has the perfect puppy for your family. Contact us for more information or learn more about our English Cream Golden Retriever puppies today.
Tom Massey has owned and operated Snowy Pines Labradors for over a decade. They have become the leaders in English Labradors in the US. He and his team serve customers all over the US and Europe. They house their "dog family" in a state of the art facility on a large farm in the Ozark Mountains. With an obsession for genetics and temperament they raise and train dogs known across the globe for health and personality. Tom serves the pet industry in many forms campaigning for ethical breeding, training, and pet ownership.