obedience

Golden Retriever

Posted on by KAsinbe

I have always found this dog to be super attractive.  Unfortunately, its size has kept me from actually getting one as I feel it is prudent to get only as much dog as you can handle.

This breed was bred for hunting waterfowl.  It takes 8 to 12 months to train the dog for this work.  In addition, this breed is excellent in obedience, agility, tracking (rescue operations) and as a therapy dog.

As its name implies, this dog is a golden color with shades ranging from light to quite dark.

Height is 20 to 24 inches.  Weight goes from 55 to 80 pounds.

Some retrievers are super affectionate while others are independent.  It is best to respect the dog’s character and not try to mold it to something it is not.  So, even if your friend’s retriever has exactly the qualities you want, your retriever may come out quite a bit different.  Generally though, they make good pets as well as working companions.  Like any working dog, they will need exercise.

Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years.  This breed is prone to hip problems, heart problems as well as eye problems, but then every dog has its day, folks.  The breed I have is supposedly prone to hip problems also and yet none of my 5 shelties  has had hip problems.

Easy to groom.  Sheds no more than most dogs even with that beautiful coat.

The Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever

DOG TRAINING SITES or HELP IS ON THE WAY

Posted on by KAsinbe

 

Frank does not make his jump

I believe my way of training is the best for my  dogs or I wouldn’t use it.   I think my method works best with dogs that are “people pleasers”, dogs like the Border Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog, the Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever.

See a list of dogs here

http://www.dogbreedslist.info/easy-to-train-dog-breeds/#.VWbzZ0bCsfU

 

Some dogs were bred for a purpose (like getting rid of rats on boats) and they are not interested in doing tricks.  On the other hand,  personality plays a big part.  For instance my dog Sinatra (jumping in picture) is much more of a “people pleaser” than my other dog, Mr. Beans.   Mr. Beans seems to think that being cute should be enough.   He only recently began to show a keen interest in training.  I’ve no idea what finally clicked for him—most likely the type of treats which are now very small (for his small mouth) and soft (he has bad teeth).  (This kind of goes against the old adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks…because it is only now that Beans is in middle age that he wants to learn more than ever.)

 

THE LIST

What follows is a list of training sites.  It is not extensive.  I took my own training locally, and they hold training only periodically so I did not include their site.  The training was given by the local kennel club and if there is one in your area you could definitely start with them.   If you have a PetSmart, they also have training.  I list Cesar Millan first, only because he is the best known right now.  However, I am not promoting one method over the others (except mine of course!).

http://www.cesarsway.com/

 

The following are not in any order and I have not tried them.

 

Dog Training Basics
http://thepersonalguide.net/dogtraining/index.html#a_aid=Vorobievak&a_bid=3e5a5b05

 

 

It’s Pawsible

http://www.itspawsible.com

 

Peggy Swagger

http://www.peggyswager.com/

 

If you know a site, please submit it