Are Golden Retrievers Easy to Take Care of
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link & purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
[UPDATED July 2021]
If you own a Golden Retriever, then you know firsthand how much joy and happiness they bring to you. So how do you return the favour to your dog? Find out in this article how to take care of a Golden Retriever and discover the 10 easy ways you can make your Golden Retriever happy.
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in America and with good reason!
They are not only stunningly beautiful, but they have brains as well. Their friendly and gentle disposition makes them great family dogs. Goldens love people of all ages and get along well with other animals.
They are simply wonderful! They are a very easygoing breed, which makes them great for first-time dog owners, but they do have requirements that need to be met to ensure their happiness.
Let's look at what you can do to make sure your Golden is the happiest he or she can be.
10 Easy Ways To Make Your Golden Retriever Happy
1. Show Them Lots Of Love
Golden Retrievers love to be with you at all times. They crave human attention and affection, the more the better! Often, they will sit by your feet and lean into you or will paw at you to keep petting them. They are lovingly referred to as "Velcro dogs", because they are always by your side, following you everywhere, even the bathroom!
They are happiest when they are with you, and they shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. Leaving your Golden alone too long might make him depressed, or could cause unwanted behaviours such as chewing, excessive barking, and other destructive behaviour.
Taking your Golden Retriever to a Doggie Day Care, or hiring a Dog Walker while you are away will certainly help. But, keep in mind that you are everything to your Golden Retriever and they want to spend their time with you.
2. Feed Them The Best Food Possible
When it comes to feeding your Golden, you should feed the best food you can. A high-quality diet is a must for these dogs, as they can easily develop skin problems such as allergies, and they can easily become overweight.
Goldens love food, and will eat anything!! It is important to keep control and monitor their food intake so that they do not become overweight.
It is certainly not an easy thing to do when they look at you with their sad puppy dog eyes begging for food every time you eat.
The biggest mistake you can make is feeding them from the table. I can attest to this because I used to do it! My dog became slightly overweight, and it was a struggle to shed the pounds off of her.
3. Give Them Space
Goldens are labelled as a medium to large-sized breed. Breed standards state that adult Goldens will typically weigh between 55-65 lbs (female), and 65-75lbs (male). Some adults can weigh more or less depending on genetics.
Because of their large size, they need room to move. Goldens are not meant to be outside dogs all the time, they would rather spend time with their humans inside than be outside by themselves.
Having a yard for them to run and play is beneficial, but when given enough exercise and outdoor time, Goldens can also do well in apartment living. Just make sure that your house or apartment is large enough to accommodate them.
4. Keep Them Beautiful
One thing is for certain of this breed, and that is they shed!!!
Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful long coat, which is actually a double-coat. Meaning it consists of a thick soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat.
The undercoat is what sheds heavily in the spring and fall, and there is moderate shedding throughout the rest of the year. A Goldens double-coat offers protection from the elements, keeping them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Regular brushing is a must to keep their coat looking healthy and shiny, and to minimize shedding. Bathing should be done regularly as well, and since Goldens love water it should be easier to do.
Because of their floppy ears, Goldens are prone to getting ear infections. Weekly ear cleaning is recommended to keep their ears free of dirt and debris and to prevent infections.
Golden Retrievers are beautiful, and they know it and love to show it off. It is up to their owners to keep them beautiful.
Grooming a Golden Retriever does not have to be difficult, you can easily learn to groom them yourself at home to save some money.
5. Socialize Them
Golden Retrievers are naturally social. They love nothing more than being taken for a walk and meeting new people and other dogs. Known for their friendly and gentle nature, Goldens will get along with all animals and all people.
My Golden Retriever Ellie is such a "people dog", and because of her social nature, we have met so many people in our neighbourhood and on the trail we walk.
She has earned the nickname " the friendliest dog of the neighbourhood". As a puppy, she would invite herself up onto people's porches to say hi to them and get petted.
Now as an adult she continues this with the people that she knows. She will also go up to strangers and sit on their feet and wait to be petted. She loves the attention that she gets. After meeting someone, or another dog she usually gets very happy and excited. It is almost like a "high" for her.
I would suggest taking your Golden everywhere with you, take them to the park, for car rides, let them meet new people and dogs. Let them experience new things and you will have a happy dog.
6. Take Them Swimming
Natural born swimmers, to say that Goldens love water is an understatement! I mean I'm sure there are some Goldens that do not like water, maybe because they are not familiar with it, but most of them truly love it.
Especially on a hot summer day, Goldens will love to go in any water source they can find. Whether it's a creek, a lake or a pool, they will jump in and cool off.
Some owners have Golden Retrievers that enjoy rolling around and getting dirty in mud puddles, I am lucky enough to not be one of those owners.
Swimming is a great form of exercise for your Golden Retriever, so take them with you to a dog-friendly beach or other water spot and have a game of fetch in the water.
7. Provide Mental Stimulation
Because they are such intelligent dogs, Golden Retrievers are easy to train. They are eager to please their owner, especially when a treat is involved for being a good dog.
In order to keep them from getting bored, and becoming destructive, they should be given plenty of mental stimulation.
Golden Retrievers are happier and healthier, and more behaved when they are given mental stimulation on a daily basis. This can be done by teaching your dog basic commands and tricks, playing games with them, and providing enough exercise.
An example of mental stimulation right now for my dog Ellie is when we are out walking she loves to go into the creek at several spots along the trail and hunt for frogs. She is so excited when she sees one and tries to catch it.
8. Let Them Be A Lap Dog
Who says that a Golden Retriever is not a lap dog?! They are basically big teddy bears.
Craving human attention and affection is what they do and if that means jumping onto your lap and snuggling up with you, then that is what they will do.
I remember when Ellie was a puppy I did not want her on the couch. I even tried to put tinfoil on the couch to deter her away from it. How long do you think that lasted?? Maybe a week or less.
She would take a running leap and jump onto the couch and realize how comfortable it was, and just stay there. Nothing I could do about it, it was just easier to give in. Now I share a couch with her. She has her side, I have mine.
9. Keep Them Healthy
The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is 10-12 years. Some Goldens live longer than the average, with many of them living up to 14 or 15 years.
Genetics, lifestyle, environment, nutrition and spay or neuter status can all contribute to the health of your Golden.
In order to keep them healthy and to ensure a long life with your devoted best friend, there are things you need to do such as:
- Provide a nutritious high-quality diet.
- Provide plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation.
- Keep your Golden at an ideal weight and watch food intake to prevent obesity.
- Look for any signs of illness and medical problems, and get regular vet check-ups.
- Play with them, and show them plenty of love.
- Provide regular grooming to keep them clean and healthy.
10. Don't Expect Them To Be A Guard Dog
Golden Retrievers make lousy guard dogs. They may bark at a stranger at the door, but will soon wag their tail and flash their friendly smile at them.
They love people way too much to be effective as a guard dog. If someone were to break into their home, a Golden would rather lick them to death than show any form of aggression.
Final Thoughts On How To Take Care Of A Golden Retriever
I believe the number one thing that any dog owner can do is to show their dog lots of love!
The Golden Retriever especially needs a lot of love and attention in order to be happy. They value the time spent with you, and any dog owner knows that the time spent with their beloved Golden Retriever is never enough.
A Golden Retriever quickly steals your heart and becomes your best friend. Their beauty both inside and out becomes addicting that most owners of this beautiful breed usually own more than one.
Keep in mind that if you let a Golden be a Golden, by letting them do what they love such as meeting new people and going swimming, then you will be rewarded with a happy dog.
What About You?
How do you take care of your Golden Retriever to ensure their happiness?
Share your thoughts and comments below. I would love to hear from you.
The following two tabs change content below.
- Bio
- Latest Posts
I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie.
Source: https://firsttimedogmom.com/how-to-take-care-of-a-golden-retriever-to-ensure-a-happy-dog/
0 Response to "Are Golden Retrievers Easy to Take Care of"
Post a Comment