Can You Train A Golden Retriever To Be Protective
Image source: RadicalK9.com
Schutzhund is a sport that tests a dogs obedience, tracking, and protection skills.
Youve probably seen pictures like the one above of dogs latching onto a padded arm.
But what you probably havent seen is a golden retriever in one of those pictures
Thats doesnt mean golden retrievers cant be trained to be decent at Schutzhund, or be trained to be good at protecting you, but it just doesnt come as natural to them as some others.
Like we talked about earlier, golden retrievers are very trainable, but they just dont have the natural aggression of some other breeds.
If you want to train your dog to be more protective, I would definitely advise getting professional help.
The Golden Is A Medium
Despite popular belief, Golden Retrievers arent particularly big. If you are looking for the Golden Retriever on the list of the largest dog breeds, you should brace yourself for some disappointment.;
However, they arent small, either. Youll be equally disappointed if you search for these dogs on the list of the smallest dog breeds among Affenpinschers and the Chihuahuas.
Compared to the largest listed dog, the Great Dane, which can stand as tall as 32 inches for the male and 30 inches for the female, the Golden Retriever falls short by 6 to 8.5 inches. But dont let that get you down.
Being a medium-sized dog is good enough to fit the size requirement for a guard dog. In fact, the Golden Retriever is roughly the same size of a Rottweiler! And, Rotties are some of the best guardians.
Reason #: Golden Retrievers Are Fearless
Like I said in the previous tip, goldens were bred to be hunting dogs.
You cant be fearful and be a hunting dog at the same time!
And that fearlessness still persists today.
Have you heard the story of Todd, the golden who saved his mom from a rattlesnake bite in Arizona?
He took a bite to the face while on a walk that could have easily been for his mother.
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They Are Prone To Waxy Ears
Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers are prone to waxy ears. This tends to be a result of poor air circulation due to their long ears.
Although it is not always the case, waxy ears can be the symptom of a more serious problem, such as an infection or mites. If left untreated or if not treated correctly and consistently, ear problems can become chronic and affect the dogs quality of life.
The most common cause of ear infections in Golden Retrievers is yeast. After swimming or bathing, take the time to dry your dogs ears. Effort should also be made to keep ears clean. There are solutions available for purchase or that you can make at home that, in addition to cleaning and soothing your Golden Retrievers ears, will also change the pH level, creating an environment yeast should not thrive in.
Be careful; Goldens will eat almost anything that resembles food, regardless of whether or not it is good for them.
Great Pyrenees Vs Golden Retriever: Grooming Needs
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Each of these breeds has a long, thick fur coat. Shedding will be an issue with both the great Pyrenees and the golden retriever, but one is far easier to keep tidy at home.
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Golden Retrievers Are High
Originally bred by Scottish elites for smallgame retrieval, Golden Retrievers are active, high-energy dogs that wont hesitate to protect you from an attacker.;
Premiere guard dogs need high energy in order to become effective at their jobs. If your dog is always lounging around on the couch with you, how do you expect the dog to catch an intruder?
That being said, Golden Retrievers require at least an hour of daily exercise to be both mentally and physically stimulated. Fortunately, tracking a thief may make up part of the Goldens daily dose of exercise.
Given the exercise needs and the purpose they were bred for, theres little surprise that theyre listed on AKCs list of 15 most active dog breeds. As such, our favorite activities for these dogs are fetch and swimming.
Hyperactive Golden Retriever Symptoms
While still young, Golden Retrievers are excitable and exploratory and get very hyper quite easily. Still, there is a big difference between a Goldens normal high energy levels, and being out-of-control hyper. Therefore, owners can read early signs when their hyperactive dog is having one of those super-charged energy moments and deal with it accordingly.
Here are a few signs that will help you know when your dog has crossed, or is about to cross, into overly hyper mode:
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Are Golden Retrievers Loyal To Just One Person
You have probably heard stories of dogs that are fiercely loyal to just one person.; Or they love one member of the family while ignoring the rest of the family.;;
Golden Retrievers are one breed that is ready to share its love around to all members of the family.; They will likely form a stronger bond with a specific family member, usually the primary food and exercise provider. Still, they will also share their love with every member of the family.; They are even accepting of other pets and are known to get along well with cats and birds.
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Are Golden Retrievers Or Goldendoodles Better For Families
Golden retrievers are hands down the best dogs for families. A Golden will love everyone in the family, from kids to adults. Their loyalty and social nature make them a good fit for any household. Goldendoodles also make great family pets, but the poodle side makes them a bit more independent.
Whether you have a family now or intend to have one in a few years, choosing a dog that will mesh with your entire family can make life much more enjoyable. While many dog breeds love their families, its challenging to find a breed that comes remotely close to Golden retrievers. Theyre known for their loyalty and endless companionship.
Golden retrievers are among the friendliest dogs out there. They make friends with just about everyone, even if its a new friend youve recently invited to your home. While generally friendly and social, Goldendoodles are likely to be a bit warier of strangers and may bark quite a bit until a stranger has gained their trust.
That being said, Golden retrievers are rated among the best pups in the United States for families, these dogs arent going to shy away from establishing new friendships. They become very emotionally attached to everyone they encounter, especially if they see them multiple times throughout the week.
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Goldens Are Naturally Protective Of Everyone
An extreme example of an overly protective Golden would be one taking the side of a thief who is in trouble with an angry crowd. However, this is still possible with a Golden Retriever.
This is especially likely if you have trained your Golden to be compassionate, which may come very naturally to these dogs. Golden Retrievers will spontaneously offer help to anyone who seems to need it.
While teaching your Golden to be humane is a good thing, this may work against you and others when the Golden needs to identify and catch an impostor.
We recommend you train your Golden to always refer back to you and take commands before acting in favor of a stranger. If thats what you teach them, a simple No will suffice to keep the Golden by your side.
These traits arent deal-breakers at all youll just need to invest some time in training your Golden if you want them to become proper guard dogs.;
Golden Retriever Vs Goldendoodle: Temperament
While Golden retrievers tend to be focused on their owners, Goldendoodles are usually much more curious about other things. Their natural intelligence leads them to wonder and wander, so its best to keep an eye on them while theyre young. Goldendoodle puppies are prone to sneaking off and causing mischief while looking for new places to go and things to play with.
This trait sometimes makes Goldendoodles chew on shoes, cords, and other household items. Make sure you set firm boundaries and correct them when necessary. Thankfully, theyre easy to train and will quickly learn from their mistakes. You dont have to worry about this issue being a long-term problem if youre consistent with redirecting them.
Golden retrievers are typically quite relaxed but socially dependent on their owners and other pets. If theyre living with other dogs from their litter, theres a high chance theyll be with them around the clock. These dogs latch onto people and pets, quickly forming long-lasting relationships that they rely on for the rest of their lives.
If you choose a Golden retriever, you should expect them to be playful, silly, and affectionate. Theyll often lay near you or on you, even if youre not playing with them. Golden retrievers want nothing more than to have fun with their owners and friends.
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Reasons Golden Retrievers Are The Best Dogs Ever
Its easy to see why Golden Retriever is one of the worlds most popular dog breed, both as a working dog and as a family member. That mane of golden fur and deep brown eyes are hard to resist. Heres 10 reasons why Golden Retrievers easily top the list of the best dogs ever bred.
1. Goldens are the perfect size.
A healthy Golden Retriever weighs between 55 and 75 pounds. Theyre large enough to learn fun, useful tricks, wear human clothes, and participate in many sports and activities. But theyre also small enough to be held for a few moments, and can comfortably lie across your lap without squishing you. While theyre food hogs that gain weight easily, its not too difficult to help them burn calories by introducing more physical activity.
2. Goldens assist the disabled.
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds of service dog. Theyre smart enough for the intensive training required, and large enough to help with tasks like loading laundry or retrieving items, and can even keep their handler steady if they need physical assistance. Goldens are also friendly, yet can be trained to focus on their job, rather than socialize. Lastly, theyre resilient enough to adjust to working in loud, scary situations. Their soft fur and comforting smile make it possible for disabled people to confidently accomplish everyday tasks that we take for granted.
3. Goldens prevent waste.
4. Golden fur is like glitter.
5. Goldens have a soft mouth.
6. A Golden is easy to talk to.
You Shouldnt Leave Your Golden Retriever Alone For More Than 4
![Golden Retriever Noble Loyal Companions](https://www.clubgoldenretriever.com/wp-content/uploads/golden-retriever-noble-loyal-companions-old-golden.jpeg)
Goldens create strong bonds with their owners, meaning theyre great family dogs. Theyre willing to please their humans and love being around children of all ages because kids are always ready to play.
Leaving your Golden by herself all day will only make her suffer, which in time can generate depression, , and in some cases destructive behavior.
Hiring a pet walker or taking your Golden to dog care during the day can help, but none of these solutions replaces your presence. Only buy or adopt one of these dogs if you or other family members have time to play with her every day.
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How Big Do Golden Retrievers Actually Get
Golden Retrievers are medium-large dogs.
The height and weight of Golden Retrievers will vary by gender.;
Gender | |
21.5 to 22.5 inches | 55 to 65 pounds |
Information courtesy of the American Kennel Club.
The breeds size should not pose a significant issue for most family living situations; however, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Due to its larger size, the Golden Retriever may not be best suited to apartment living .
The Golden Retriever would do best in a home with a backyard, on an acreage, or a farm, where space is available for the dog to play and exercise.
Family Consideration: Size can be an important consideration if your household has small children or toddlers. Golden Retrievers especially younger ones can be exuberant while playing at times. In their excitement, Goldens can forget how big they are relative to small kids and possibly knock them over. Therefore, keeping small children supervised when playing with dogs is always recommended.;
Rottweiler Golden Retriever Mix Exercise Requirements
The best home for a Golden Rottie mix is to have a backyard thats accessible through a doggie door. You will find your puppy will love to be active outdoors almost all year round.
The double coat keeps him warm in the winter and it sheds rain too. Dont be surprised if your Golden Rottie loves to play in the rain and splash in mud puddles whenever he can.
If your Golden Rottie is inside most of the day, make sure to leave him several toys to play with while you are away.
This will save your furniture from sharp little teeth when he gets bored with no one to play with. The treat balls are great for this designer dog breed.
You can stuff them with small kibble, dog treats, or even some peanut butter. Your pooch can have hours of fun figuring out how to get the treats out of the puzzle ball and get some tiny rewards as well.
Your Golden Rottie will rejoice when you get home each day from work and definitely want to play with you and have some attention.
Dogs need about one hour of exercise per day or more. You can play fetch with him or take him on a nice long walk around the neighborhood or take him to hang out at the dog park with his friends.
When choosing chew toys for your puppy, make sure you get ones for hard chewers. Most Golden Rotties, even puppies, will tear through stuffed animals and make it look like it snowed in your living room. The stuffing can also make your pooch very sick if he eats some of it.
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Golden Retriever Personality Type
Golden retrievers are absolutely lovable in everything they do, but they need guidance. It is important for a pet owner to show the dog there will be no rewards for their pawing. If they need attention at the wrong time or when you cannot give it to him, let it be clear to him so that next time, he will learn how to entertain himself. All dogs know how to react well to positive reinforcement, so they will listen to you when you set rules because you are their alpha leader. It is up to the owner to decode which behaviors to allow and also implement rules with the ones that are not allowed.
Theyre One Of The Uks Most Popular Breeds Of Dog But How Much Do You Know About The Friendly And Playful Golden Retriever
The last 18 months have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership rise by nearly eight per cent over 2020.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, theres plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
Theres even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Corens book The Intelligence of Dogs ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of peoples canine wishlists is the Golden Retriever they were one of the UKs 10 most popular dog breeds in 2020 and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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Goldendoodle Vs Golden Retriever: Which Breed Costs More
Golden retriever puppies can generally be found between $1,000 to $2,000, while a Goldendoodle puppys price tag ranges widely due to popular demand, the number of breeders in the area, adult size, and more. They can be found as low as $800 or as high as $3,000.
Note: In the case of both breeds, its important to find a reputable breeder. A quality breeder will make sure that the genetics and bloodlines of the dogs are strong. If you see a Golden retriever or Goldendoodle price that seems far below average, youll need to be careful.
Substandard breeders will often offer purebred pups at low prices, but the money you save upfront could end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in vet bills later on.
Golden Retriever Known Health Issues
Aside from that, skin diseases, such as allergies are quite common. This leads to itching skin that causes bacterial skin infection.
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are also common to them due to their bone structure and size. Epilepsy can also be a cause of concerns, as well as eye diseases, but its not as common as other health ailments for Golden Retrievers.
A lot of dog breeds can be independent and aloof. This is what makes the Golden Retrievers extra special. They are very affectionate and would love to be with their family all the time. Thus, they are a perfect pet for a family, or for those who want a very loyal companion.
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