5 Essential Things You Need to Raise a Happy and Healthy Golden Retriever

new puppy advice, Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers have quickly become one of the most beloved dog breeds globally. The breed has been around for about 150 years, fairly new compared to others. During that time, it has won the hearts of families with its obedient, outgoing, and caring nature. 

We all want a dog that loves to play and protects our home. Golden Retrievers do that and much more. The breed is known to be lovers at heart. They easily assimilate into the family and bond with all the members. As long as you raise them with love and care. 

Bringing a dog home for the first time is both exciting and nerve-racking. So, before you take that step, we have a puppy supply list for you. The list consists of five essential things you will need to raise a happy and healthy puppy. 

PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed, Orthopedic Memory Foam, Multiple Sizes/Colors, Medium Firmness Pillow, Waterproof Liner, YKK Zippers, Breathable 35% Cotton Cover, Cert. Skin Contact Safe, Golden Retriever

Food

A dog is only as healthy as the food you give it. You will find many different brands in the market that make numerous claims. But, you can ignore most of it. However, you need to keep the following in mind when picking up dog food:

  1. Should have meat-based protein
  2. Includes probiotics, very important puppies
  3. Avoid food with BHT, BHA, any by-products, wheat, corn, or soy
  4. Meet the Association of American Feed Control (AAFO) requirements

There are plenty of options that fulfill the above requirements. So, it is a matter of taste and your dog’s preference after that. It’s easier with puppies though, since you can develop their taste for a specific brand or flavor. If you are adopting a dog, make sure you stick to the brand the previous owner or shelter used. 

Toys

Golden Retrievers are lively, outgoing, and LOVE to play. You will need to dedicate time every day to either take them out for a walk or to play.

For playtime, you will want a tennis ball, a chew toy, a frisbee, and stuffed toys. Dogs play with almost anything you give them, so you can never go wrong with any toy you buy for them. Make sure you take time out and play with them whenever you can. 

A dog bed

Like humans, dogs too need their own space to relax. Golden Retrievers are active throughout the day, so it’s only fair you get them a comfortable bed to sleep in. Getting all the great puppy supplies is important to the health and raising of your dog.

The two things you need to consider when buying a dog bed are the size and material. While you may have a Golden Retriever puppy at the moment, it can grow up to two feet tall. So, buy a bed accordingly. As far as material goes, look for something that is both comfortable and durable. Ideally, the covers should be made of natural materials and removable. So it is easy for you to wash. 

Leashes

You will likely need more than one leash for your dog. A lot of dog owners use a leash depending on the outing. A short leash with a slip lead is all you will need. However, if you plan on going for a walk and will be out for a while, a longer leash with a snap lead is more suitable. 

You can find leashes in all sizes and materials. Buy a few and see what works best for you. We are certain that you will put all the leashes you get into good use because Golden Retrievers love to go out. 

Grooming supplies

Dogs can get quite dirty. The last thing you want is for it to lose its beauty to dirt and grime. Ideally, you should look to bathe your dog once a month, more if it goes out a lot. For bathing you need the following dog grooming supplies to get started:

  • Shampoo, an all-natural option that is made specifically for dogs
  • Comb and brushes
  • Blow dryer

Your dog may not be a fan of bathing, but it is important in ensuring they remain clean and healthy. 

new puppy advice, Golden Retriever

Final thoughts

There are a lot of responsibilities that come with bringing a puppy home. They rely on you to raise and care for them. As the owner, you need to take measures to ensure you are prepared for the task. Our puppy supply list helps you do that as a responsible owner. So, you can give your Golden Retriever a loving home and a healthy lifestyle. 

Is A Dog Crate Important For Training Your Puppy At Home

Dog Crate
Crate Training

We all want our puppies to feel protected, secure and content, dog crate training helps them achieve just that! The popular dog crate becomes a dog’s den, a safe place to rest and be in for each dog. It should be the place where dogs will go to feel relaxed. All breeds of dogs and of all ages, can benefit from having been successfully crate trained.

What Is The Best Age For Your Puppy To Begin Dog Crate Training?

It is recommend that the best training for your puppy is to start crate training as soon as you get the puppy. And if you’re getting your puppy from an expert breeder, they will hopefully be crate training the puppy before you get them.

The Crate training process

Crate training typically takes several days for your dog to get used to. But that depends on various factors. Including its previous experience, as well as the puppy’s age. There are two crucial things to remember with crate training, the dog crate must always be connected with something enjoyable (eg never used for punishment). And training must be done in small increments to begin with. Take it slowly.

Step 1: Introduce Your Puppy To The Crate

The first step you should take is actually to introduce your puppy to the crate. It is a great idea to put your puppy’s crate in some part of your home where you and your family spend lots of your time. You can also put a towel or a comfortable blanket in it. Start by throwing a few treats in the crate, to encourage the puppy going in there by their own choice. Each time your dog is in the crate, reward her by giving her more treats. Slowly start doing this and closing the door for a few seconds, building up the time with the crate door closed.

Step 2: Start Feeding Your Puppy In Its Crate

After you have finished with the introducing of your puppy to its crate, start feeding the dog its meals in the crate. This will make the dog crate more appealing and help dogs to feel safe. It also has the added benefit of being able to prevent resource guarding behaviour.

Step 3: Begin Training Your Dog To Stay In Its Dog Crate For A Longer Period Of Time

This step should only be done per the month of age your puppy is. Only leave your puppy unattended in the crate for the hours your puppy is in age. For example, two months equals two hours, until the age of 6 months, being six hours. It is not recommended you leave a puppy in their crate all day and all night. If you leave a puppy in the crate overnight, make sure to get up to them a few times, as puppies can’t hold their bladders for very long.

In this step, you may call your puppy and give it a command to enter the crate. After that, give them a treat and close the crate’s door. Just repeat this several times and your puppy will gradually get used to staying in the crate for longer periods.

Step 4: Put Your Puppy In A Crate At Night Or When You Leave

As mentioned above, you can put your puppy in their crate for safety, when leaving for a small period of time during the day. And at night when they sleep. Put your puppy in the dog crate with your usual command and a treat. Then once the door is secured, quietly leave.

And another important thing is to put your puppy in a crate at night. You may do this repeatedly by giving your puppy the usual order for entering the crate and giving your puppy a treat. Your dog will start sleeping comfortably in the crate in no time. To make it more comfortable, putting a towel over it to darken the room will also help.

Crate training benefits

Dog Crate

Crate training seems to be an excellent technique for guiding pups through the process of potty training. A crate is powerful enough to protect your puppy from getting into harmful behaviours (such as eating furniture or poisonous chemicals). If your dog enjoys chewing on things, a crate may be a very valuable tool. If your puppy is kept alone in your home and unsupervised, he may consume someting toxic or harmful. 

The crate also aids in the development of a dog’s habitat instincts. Dogs seem to be natural den creatures and require a place to call home. When utilized correctly, a crate provides a safe haven for a dog.

Conclusion

Crate training represents an important component of introducing your new puppy. Realizing the need to crate training seems to be only the initial step. The training is really completely another story. A crate will be a helpful place for the puppy to go for many situations.

Make sure you encourage your dog that it’s dog crate is a secure and cozy room all to itself. Remember that a dog crate is very helpful to your dog and will make training more fun!

The Best Puppy Toys For Your New Puppy

Puppy Toys, Stop Puppy Biting
Puppy Toys

Most people think that dogs know only how to sleep and eat. But puppies are so much more than that. They are intelligent, playful, and loyal animals. Just like humans, puppies need stimulation as well. Stimulation with pups often comes in the form of puppy toys.

Adopting a puppy comes with many responsibilities. Experienced dog owners will tell you that for puppies, toys are essential items, just like food, bed, and other basic necessities.

Because you won’t be able to give all of your time to your pups, puppy toys are necessary for them to pass their time. Moreover, toys are something they can use to focus their attention on, have fun and keep busy while you are away, but also improve their physical and mental skills.

In this article, we are going to dive deeper into the benefits of toys for dogs and review the best toys for a new puppy.

Best Puppy Toys for a New Puppy

If you’ve never had a dog, the first thing you’ll notice is that dogs chew. Puppies, adult dogs, even senior dogs, they all chew. This is completely normal, it’s in their nature. To prevent the chewing from becoming destructive, you will need puppy toys.

There are many toys available on the market with whom puppies can play. We have selected the best three for your consideration.

1. Kong

When it comes to puppy toys, the Kong teething toy is a classic. And it’s a classic for a reason, it’s safe, durable, but most of all, it’s fun. Moreover, this toy is multifunctional.

It’s made up of rubber, and it has a beehive shape. Due to this, the inner of the toy is empty, and you can fill it with soft foods, such as peanut butter, kibble, and other treats. This will keep your pup physically and mentally stimulated for hours.

The Kong teething toy can also be used as a learning device. Your pup will have to figure out how to get all the food on its own. Just make sure the food is moist so that your puppy doesn’t get frustrated by dried food.

Kong is available in many colors and sizes. Furthermore, it’s very affordable, making it one of the best toys for puppies. Overall, a great toy for improving learning while having a good time.

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2. Chuckit

Chuckit fetch balls are softly rounded balls made of rubber. These puppy toys are perfect for physical activity. Therefore, a sports toy to keep your puppy lively and energetic is our second recommendation.

There is nothing better than a happy and playful puppy. The Chuckit fetch ball is very bouncy and highly durable, perfect for puppies that chew and have lots of energy. This ball takes care of both problems.

It’s made entirely out of high-quality rubber, it comes in different sizes, and the bright orange color makes it easy to spot, whether you are playing in tall grass or dirt. Furthermore, Chuckit ball floats in water, making it perfect for water games.

It is a very simple and affordable toy but very beneficial for small puppies. Thus, Chuckit is also included in our list of best toys for a new puppy.

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3. Variety Chew Toys

Chew puppy toys come in many varieties, but they are essential for any dog. Whether it’s a rubber ball, a knotted rope, or a combination of both, chew toys are very beneficial for new pups, because they can relieve some pressure on their growing teeth.

With these toys, you can encourage positive games. Moreover, your puppy can develop healthy chewing habits, floss its teeth with the rope, deal with anxiety easier, and control the barking.

Choosing the best rope toy can be tricky. These toys are made out of natural cotton fibers. Moreover, they are tightly hand-knotted, safe, and washable. A list of best toys for puppies wouldn’t be complete without these toys.

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Benefits of Puppy Toys

These toys can help prevent your puppy from biting and chewing household items such as the couch, pillows, clothes, or tissue rolls. In addition, toys can help your puppy unwind and have fun. There are many benefits of having these toys, including:

  • Toys provide dogs with exercise.
  • Chew toys are safer than bones.
  • Toys provide mental stimulation.
  • Many chew toys promote dental health.
  • Toys build independence.
  • They can relieve stress and anxiety.
  • Toys are fun.

Conclusion

Keeping our pets safe and happy should always be our priority. For this reason, make sure the puppy toys are big enough to chew, but not too small to be swallowed. You don’t want your toys to be a choking hazard.

All of the toys mentioned above are not only good for puppies of all ages, but they also enable you to manage your time more effectively. Therefore, it is very helpful to have the best puppy toys for a new puppy.

The Must-Have Puppy Supplies For Every Pet Parent

best bedding for puppies

It is common for expecting parents to get the necessary supplies home even before the baby arrives. Why do they do so? This is just to make sure the little one has everything she needs and faces no discomfort at all. The same is the case with puppies.

Pet owners treat puppies like their own child and this is why they get the required puppy supplies ready before they bring the little furry kid home. Of course, there are endless supplies that people will suggest you or you will read about on the internet. But you do not need all of them, not at least in the initial days.

So, to end the confusion and to make things easier for you below is a brief list of puppy supplies that you need to be fully ready and organized. To see the full list of puppy supplies I recommend, read here.

Puppy Supplies
Leash and Collar
puppy supplies

Right from the day you bring the little baby home, you need a collar for her. You can opt for something fancy or simple but make sure it can securely hold your pup’s identification tag and license. The identification tag must have your phone number and address. This is to make sure if your puppy somehow runs away then anyone who finds her will be able to contact you and get her safely home.

Your puppy supplies checklist should include a leash as well. You will need it to take your puppy for walks and also during obedience training. The leash, just like the collar, can be simple or fancy. It must have a loop that is comfortable for you to grip.

Proper-Sized Crate

The sooner a habit is developed the better for your pup and you. You should not wait for your puppy to grow a bit and then begin crate training him. Right from the day he enters your home, you need to start introducing him to the crate. Yes, initially it will be just for a minute or two, and the duration should increase as days pass by.

Travel carriers and crates are made of different materials like stainless steel, fiberglass, and plastic. The stainless steel one will last you through life but the fiberglass and plastic ones are light in weight and offer security and safety to your pup while flying or driving.

Comfy Bed
best bedding for puppies

Puppies are so adorable that you would want to cuddle them and sleep. And while all that is okay it is equally important for you to train your puppy to sleep on her own bed. This is why the next in this list of puppy supplies is a nice comfy bed for your little adorable friend.

You can place the bed in her crate and this will house-train her and also offer a secure place to sleep. There are different types of couches, cushions, and pillows available and you can select either of them but just make sure it is very comfortable.

Water and Food Bowls

Your list of puppy supplies cannot be complete without water and food bowls. As soon as the little baby reaches your home you need to feed her water and also food at regular intervals, and for this purpose, you need at least 2 separate bowls.

There are so many varieties when it comes to pet bowls. You can opt for stainless steel, ceramic, or plastic bowls. The plastic ones are light in weight and least expensive but it can be scratched easily and can then collect residue and bacteria. The ceramic bowls are little heavy and expensive. The stainless steel ones are safe, easy to clean, and preferred by most pet parents.

Puppy Food

He may be really small but he does need to eat and this is why food forms an important part of puppy supplies. It will be a good idea to discuss with your vet about which brand of pet food will be ideal for your furry baby. Also, learn how much you should feed them and at what intervals. There are puppy specific foods when your fur baby is young to get all the right nutrients, and as they progress to an adult, can move to the adult food instead.

Just like human kids, it is very important for pups to get their required nutrients so that they grow well, strong, and attractive. So, be very careful with what you feed and don’t overfeed them.

puppy socialization
To Conclude

Now that you have your puppy supplies ready you can go ahead and adopt a sweet little furry baby and bring her home! Your home is going to be filled with joy and positivity as the little one move around here and there, showing her sweet antics, and winning everyone’s hearts.

Read more on how to puppy proof your home and the supplies you need for puppy grooming.