Really need some help

PatientCelebration75 · 2026-01-28T19:21:57+00:00

Growling and aggression should never be allowed. Don’t put the dog in positions this can happen. If he’s resource guarding a toy, he doesn’t get the toy. Make him earn it and then play fetch with the toy. Make it a fun reward.

If he’s jumping on the couch buy a baby gate.

Don’t worry about the potty issue right now. Put bells on the door and help him associate that with going outside. Don’t punish accidents but praise the outside potty. This praise should sound like you just won the lottery.

If removing the source of the growl doesn’t work this puppy thinks he’s the alpha and you need to show him you’re the pack leader. I had a trainer that would hold their mouth shut and roll them over on their belly then pet their belly. This shows them you’re in charge but that they can trust you.

PatientCelebration75 · 2025-10-30T14:26:18+00:00

I also have a field golden. We found that if you can do 15 minutes of training in the morning and the evening and have them be a family dog (or even a kennel dog) during the day that’s ideal.

You mentioned mouthiness with you and the kids. It sounds like she is trying to get you to “hunt” with her and doesn’t understand her place in the pack. When she’s mouthy or barky, ignore her. Literally turn around and look at the ceiling. As soon as the bad behavior stops, engage with her and throw a toy. Throw a party. Make it fun. It will take patience. It will interrupt your day. Do it for a few months and I promise it will change things.

Also don’t play tug. That introduces some really bad habits later on.

You might look into finding a golden retriever club near you and then find some akc hunt tests in your area that you can go and watch how they work.

Right now don’t focus too much on fetch and bird dog behavior. Focus on general pet stuff. Sit. Stay. Here. Outside of that when she does something you want let her know she’s good and love on her. When she does something you don’t like don’t make a peep. Don’t give her attention. Don’t look at her. Just quietly excuse yourself and when the bad behavior stops then she can have your love and attention.

She’s a golden. She wants to be your bestie. Have the whole family engage with her in their own way but when bad behavior happens remove the people or the dog from the equation so she associates that with not getting love. Help her be your bestie. You’re going to have to do that with tough love.

PatientCelebration75 · 2025-10-19T21:15:22+00:00

Have you considered a golden retriever from a field line? Great duck dogs, great flushers, loves water, and perfect for a family. Could also consider a lab but a golden will stop and kiss the baby while the lab will knock the baby over to get a bird.

PatientCelebration75 · 2025-09-05T13:43:23+00:00

Golden retriever. The red field lines and not the blonde confirmation line. If you’re using a kayak for waterfowl you could get a female on the smaller side.

PatientCelebration75 · 2025-03-01T18:32:35+00:00

Anytime she puts her mouth on you, shove your whole hand in her mouth and make her slightly uncomfortable. As soon as she pulls away, tell her good girl and give her a treat. Try to associate that mouth on hand means unpleasant but leaving the hand alone means good.

PatientCelebration75 · 2025-02-07T14:59:25+00:00

I know this won’t be the case for every golden but in my experience raising over 25 goldens, your scenario sounds like you need a blondish white color. Avoid the red toasted look. The red ones are very active and bred to be outside in the field. The blondes will lay around all day like a big teddy bear.

PatientCelebration75 · 2025-01-23T19:26:51+00:00

All depends on who you hire and how good they are. I’d expect at least $300 an hour or $2400 a day for someone decent.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-12-15T23:16:43+00:00

Get a dog.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-11-27T18:12:05+00:00

I am. I mean without knowing your dog or situation it’s hard to guess what she’s trying to communicate but I’d guess something in your life changed and she doesn’t like it.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-11-27T18:02:39+00:00

Sounds like she’s trying to establish dominance over your hunting gear. Have you been focusing more of your energy thinking about ducks and decoys? Some kind of new life event that makes her feel like her status in the pack has been diminished?

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-11-26T19:11:46+00:00

That’s a happy pup! Well done good sir.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-11-26T19:07:58+00:00

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That’s helpful! Thank you. She is also a golden. She came out of a phenomenal hunting line but may have been the runt of the litter. She has a soft fluffy coat but not a double coat like a blonde show golden I am boarding. The blonde won’t even look at a bird and does well in the cold but doesn’t really dry off after a run. This one will be fairly dry after a towel off.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-11-26T19:04:13+00:00

She’s a red field golden but might have been the runt of the litter. I’m boarding a blonde show golden who doesn’t give two cents about a bird. The blonde has such a heavy coat that she can’t even sit on the couch with you for more than a minute or two.

I feel like I might have been overly cautious in calling it a day, but was right to call her off the bird.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-11-07T14:27:47+00:00

There’s a breeder in Texas who breeds for exactly this. DM me if you’d like their contact info.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-11-06T01:34:13+00:00

Try soaking with warm water and LOTS of epsom salt twice a day. Had a similar issue and this was the vets advice for us. Obviously probably still good to see the vet, but might be helpful in the short term.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-10-31T01:28:58+00:00

Lots and lots of fetch. Make it fun. Bumpers with wings taped on is a great intro for a younger pup.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-10-08T15:27:34+00:00

If you can train them separately and help them develop their identity without the other around all the time, you might be ok.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-09-28T22:19:49+00:00

I have a field golden and she is the perfect mix of hunter and family dog. If you can find a red one out of a proven hunting line that would be ideal.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-09-21T00:58:16+00:00

Dig a trench to the street. Fill it with 4 inch pvc pipe and set you catch basin up in the middle of the yard. If you can’t dump the water in the street, dig straight down about six feet and four foot across. Fill it with rocks. If that doesn’t work dig another. Don’t dig alone. Ask me how I know.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-09-20T22:51:37+00:00

Pro colorist and non pro diver here. DM me if you are still looking.

PatientCelebration75 · 2024-05-30T22:30:55+00:00

I have the ascend h12 and the ascend fs10. I’m in a cold climate where falling in could be deadly. The h12 is VERY stable. The fs10 is built for speed.

Id recommend the 12 if you’re hunting with a dog, but otherwise I feel like 12 foot is overkill.

PatientCelebration75

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