This month’s article is not really a training article, but more about celebrating and nurturing our Golden Retrievers.  It is my personal tribute to a special, spunky Golden Retriever named:

                                                   U-CD Hi-Point’s Hi-Jinx CD 

As Jinx got older, she was fondly called “Madam” by many who knew her.   She was truly the queen of my household and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.  Jinx was born 2-25-91 and went to join my first golden and her best friend, Chelsey, at the Rainbow Bridge today.  I was truly blessed to have had the love and devotion of this girl for 14 ½ years.  She will remain in my heart forever!

This article is not meant cause sadness, but rather to remind all of us that the essence of a Golden Retriever is their wonderful, gentle, loving spirit.  They better our lives and bring so much happiness and love into our hearts.  It is our responsibility to nurture this wonderful breed.   This process should begin the day we bring that golden bundle of joy into our lives.  We need to not only provide them with the care, love and security they need and deserve, but to also help mold these wonderful dogs into mannerly canine citizens that exemplify the Golden Spirit. 

Even though I have previously discussed some important guideline tips for training, let’s review them again.  If you put these into practice you will be on your way to molding that well- mannered Golden citizen.

• CONSISTENCY – You must decide what the rules are and then enforce them from day one.  A dog does not understand “sometimes” or “just this once”.  Your dog will be confused if you allow him to jump on you when you are wearing jeans, but then chastise the same jumping behavior when you are dressed in your best clothes.  Establishing consistency let your dog know that you are the leader of his pack, that he can count on you, trust you, and look to you for guidance.

• PATIENCE – Patience and consistency go hand in hand.  Never lose your temper with your puppy.  What a puppy knows today, he seems to easily forget tomorrow.  Training in anger (and anger in training) will not create the type of relationship you want with your dog.

• ATTENTION SPAN – Remember that like a child, a puppy will have a short attention span. It is unrealistic to expect a puppy to be able to concentrate for the same period of time that an adult dog can concentrate.  Keep training sessions short, and always end on a positive note.

• REPETITION AND PRACTICE – Training is a matter of conditioning.  Repetition and daily practice are key in training your dog.

• PARTNERSHIP – Your goal in training should be to develop a partnership with your dog. You must establish your role as pack leader. You must be the constant and guiding force in your dog's world.

• RESPECT – Just as you expect your dog to respect you and your authority, you should display the same respect towards your dog.  When you treat your dog with respect by establishing clear boundaries that are enforced with fairness and consistency, and that are rewarded with praise for successful behaviors, you have established the foundation of a productive partnership with your dog. 

• CORRECTIONS – Corrections must be immediate, firm and properly and consistently administered.  Corrections administered hours (or even minutes) after an act are virtually worthless.  Your dog will not understand what has caused your displeasure unless you catch him in the act of wrongdoing.   All he will understand is that your body language and voice are conveying displeasure.  Only when the dog is “caught in the act” is the correction effective.  It is also important to remember that it is best to use the least amount of correction necessary for a given situation.

• VOICE CONTROL / BODY LANGUAGE – Your voice is perhaps your most effective training tool.  It is important that your voice communicate your pleasure or displeasure.

      “No” need not be yelled at the dog, but said firmly and matter-of-factly.  “Wimpy” will not do.  When you say “Good dog!”, you should mean it.  A dog’s instincts are acute!  They quickly sense and react instantly to anger, frustration, and pleasure from your voice and/or body language (a frown, hands on hips, etc)

• PLAY – Play is both physically and mentally rewarding for your dog.  Proper play as a reward for a job well done or an appropriate behavior is essential in establishing a happy, well-balanced relationship between dog and owner.

• TRAINING IS FUN – Your dog will train willingly and happily as long as your keep it fun.  Fun doesn’t mean “easy” or not demanding performance.  It means praising effort and/or good performance and encouraging repetition of such behavior.  A dog works to please you and will work hard to earn your praise, particularly when you lavishly shower your praise at appropriate times.

As I said, these are guidelines.  Yet, I truly feel the principles and philosophies contained in the above statements are what will help each of us raise that kind, soft eyed, loving Golden Retriever that is so special to all of us.   From my own perspective, I want my Golden to be mannerly, yet at the same time, I want to allow my dogs innate personality to blossom.  I love a bit of “spirit” in my dogs, and as you may have guessed from her name, Jinx had PLENTY of that spunk and spirit. 

  Do your research before you purchase your Golden Retriever.  Read all you can (and check out the GRCA Website for helpful information at www.grca.org)  Purchase your golden from a reputable breeder who has taken the time to carefully choose breedings, based on temperament, clearances, etc.  Choose your puppy carefully.  Give your self the best chance possible to have a healthy, well-adjusted, out-going, confident dog.

  Jinx had a mountain of health issues in her life.  She started limping at 5 ½ months of age and finally had surgery for OCD.  When the surgery did not help the limping, further testing indicated Jinx had osteomyelitis (bone infection) in her shoulder and a second open shoulder surgery was performed to clean the area and identify the pathogen.  Jinx had significant allergy problems most of her life.  Eventually recurrent ear infections forced us to do reconstructive ear surgery.  At 12 ½ years of age, Jinx ruptured her meniscus disc and tore her cruciate ligament.  NEVER, not one time, did Jinx ever display even a hint of crabbiness towards any person or animal in her world.  She was a trouper, always giving recovery her all.  Her smile never left and she constantly showed us that she was willing to fight to stay as healthy as possible.  Jinx had the epitome of the Golden temperament that we all hope to maintain in our breed.  She was a true ambassador of a Golden Retriever.  

Jinx was mannerly, yet she also had spunk and spirit,.  She was a female, and as such, often had a mind of her own.  Those who knew her well would tell you that often her expression allowed you to know exactly what was on her mind! 

So, help your golden become a good canine citizen.  Yet, while fostering and promoting those traits so desirable in a Golden Retriever, also allow your dog to develop their own unique personalities.

Enjoy the antics that are so Golden.  Jinx has filled my heart with memories. 

Just a few include:

First snow….the grandness of making snow angels, even when you grow old.

Treat ….I may be old, but I know those times that treats are due, and I will be first in line, sitting at attention, patiently waiting for my goodie! (And, my sweet expression usually conned Aunt Julie and Aunt Sandy, because they always brought me my own special box of treats when they came to visit!)

Dinner …..Hello?  Did you forget it is time for my dinner?  The simple things in life please me, and dinner is one of those pleasures!

Woof ….that quiet little “Woof” was my trademark!!   When I was young and wanted attention or to play, I would gently lay my head on the arm of the comfortable family room chair, gently wag my tail in a circle, look you in the eye, and go “Woof”.  As I got older and more tired, I would just lay where I was and utter my “Woof”, knowing you would come to me. 

Bird....I am a Golden Retriever.  Why did it surprise you so when I brought a bird into you and deposited the poor frightened (but unharmed) sparrow in the center of your bed?  Isn’t that what a  retriever is supposed to do?

Tournament ...Sorry, Mom.  I did a nice job of heeling until that dumbbell landed for that sheltie  in the next ring.  I had to stand there with my big smile and circle tail wag while that dog got her DB.  I came right back and watched you intently, heeling beautifully again once the action in the next ring was no long fun!  Maybe we flunked, but I had fun and you will never forget this day, nor will you fail to smile at my antics!

Swimming….only at the age of 12 when I needed water therapy did I learn the joy of swimming. How effortlessly and joyfully I glided around that pond those many summer days!

Smile…never without that smile, even until the very end.  The last thing I remember about Jinx is her gentle, loving expression and that sweet smile as we said our goodbyes.

So, remember, cherish your Goldens.  Teach them to be good canine citizens.  CELEBRATE life with them and treasure the gifts of love and happiness that they bring to us.  Jinx certainly cherished life and made the most of it!!!!

Farwell, special girl.  We love you!

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