THE VERSATILE GOLDEN RETRIEVER

(Bringing home puppy)

Editor Julie Caruthers has requested that I write a series of introductory articles geared towards developing working potential in the Golden Retriever.   She envisions some basic discussion on ways to encourage multi-purpose “talents” in the Golden Retriever, identifying the strengths and weakness of each particular pup as training progresses.

The breed standard describes the Golden Retriever as primarily a hunting dog and uses the descriptive words powerful, active, eager, and intelligent in expression.  The question at hand is how to take an example of this wonderful breed, the dog that is people orientated and wants to please, and develop those characteristics so you have a Golden capable of participating in multiple venues.  Although I have trained my dogs for various activities, I am no expert on creating this multi-talented retriever.  I marvel at those who “can do it all”.   But, as I travel down this path of raising a puppy, I will attempt to share what I am doing to encourage the working abilities of my pup.  Willingness and enjoyment of each activity is always paramount in my mind. 

When a new pup joins our household, baby gates become a part of our décor.  The pup is confined to various rooms and not allowed to romp freely with the other dogs.  A 7-8 week old pup does not have the physical stamina or co-ordination to avoid injury if left to run free with the adult dogs.  Also, I want to become the most important person in that pup’s world rather than allowing him to become a part of the “pack”.  Consequently, I am the one who provides the basics for the puppy those first few weeks.  I feed the pup, potty the pup, and provide the majority of the stimulation that the pup receives.  I want that pup to look to me for his daily comforts and activity rather than relying on the other dogs and people in my household.

The baby gates allow for the pup and my adult dogs to see and become somewhat accustomed to each other. However, the adults are not subjected to the antics of the young dog, and while he can observe the other dogs, the pup must look to me for most of his needs.  The first few days are spent bonding with the pup and allowing him to become accustomed to his new environment and routine.  I feel it is important for the pup to learn to trust me, and to look to me for his needs.  I also want him to see me as his pack leader.  If I am working in the kitchen, the pup is there with me, just as he is when I am on the computer, etc.

The pup is gradually introduced one by one to the other dogs in my household.  While I want to be the most important person in my pup’s world, it is also important that he learn to interact with the adult dogs since my goldens spend most of their time in the house with me.  Stoney’s dad, Cooper, is a gentle soul and this introduction started between father and son.  I would allow Cooper to sometimes accompany us when Stoney went out to potty.  “Dad” seemed to understand the task at hand, and would sit or stand quietly by my side until Stoney completed his business.  Then, they would interact for a few minutes.  Gradually, I would let the pup move from room to room on his own, rather than carrying him from place to place.  That way, exposure was kept to very short periods and monitored closely.  As time progressed, the pup was allowed to have short play periods with the adults.  Although how this “free time” is regulated varies with each pup, the process of “blending” the dogs and allowing them to interact more and more increases bit by bit each week.  (Stoney just turned 5 months.  At this point he is with the other dogs most of the time.  The gate still goes up in my computer room in the morning so Stoney can ease the discomfort of his teething gums by chewing on a bully stick.  However, much of the day he is now allowed to move freely around the house.)

Early Training

Puppies are like sponges in the sense that I believe they can learn a tremendous amount during these first months of development.  Therefore, I introduce many concepts by the time the pup is 6 months of age.

  At this point in time, five month old Stoney is fairly reliable on a recall; he will do both a sit and down stay for a minute; he will stand in place for an exam.  Stoney also does basic heeling with attention, retrieves toys, a ball, and canvas bumpers, etc.  He has learned to accept various articles being placed in his mouth (dumbbell, metal and leather articles, glove, etc.) He knows basic signals for down, sit, and come.  He has been introduced to the concept of marking.  Flexibility activities are also a part of our training as I feel it important for a pup to not only become aware of his body, but how to move efficiently.  He can do circles to the left and right, he is leaning to back up, he is stepping to the left and right both in heel position and while in front of me.  And, of course, Stoney has been on a show lead, both for self-stacking and gaiting. He has been exposed to agility equipment, including channel weave poles set wide enough for him to not twist and possibly injure his immature body.  (Although I have not done tracking in the past, I hope to start some basics now that Christmas is over.)  Grooming, nails, baths, blow dying and learning to stand still on the grooming table are also part of this early training process. 

While this series is not meant to take the place of specific training articles for any of the working venues, I will share how and when I start these basic training concepts.  In addition to setting a foundation for many working venues, I also think the time spent on these activities promotes a special bond between dog and handler.  Puppy training can help encourage a work ethic.  It provides a means for building stamina.  It encourages self-confidence which in turn fosters an eager and willing worker. 

Next month I will begin to share the specifics of the “molding process” of training that I use during these first few months of puppy development.

Pat Quinn

Everlore

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