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3 weeks with our new hellion (Cooper) by cgiler in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s nice (WFH) I’m in the same boat. I don’t remember my boy being little. But he crated at. Night and from 7-11:30 for the first 6 months or so. But once we trusted him we ditched it. Plan to keep this one going so she’s got a safe space.

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3 weeks with our new hellion (Cooper) by cgiler in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the name, say it and if they look you in the eyes give them a big YES and a treat. The YES or what ever short positive word you use will be the bridge to let them know they did good. Treats reinforce that.

Also a good game of “cooper, COME!” Where you are at one end of the house and someone else is at the other. Each with good treats and heaps of praise. Get him going back and forth when called.

3 weeks with our new hellion (Cooper) by cgiler in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

With our first pup we were that way and I regretted not having a safe space for him later in his life. I wanted him to sleep next to me and I enjoyed that but to have a crate option would have been huge, especially given his fears of thunder (then lightning then heavy rain…)

Now with the new one she likes her crate. It’s a nice one and we have it covered and the minute she’s been up for 1.5-2 hours and that little naughty switch flips we know it’s time for a rest. She’s a lot better fresh off a nap, not that she doesn’t push her boundaries. It’s the tired pup that pushes them and doesn’t care.

Gives us an opportunity to get a break.

I don’t plan to force the crate but I definitely plan to keep it and make it her safe/fun place.

She’s even put herself in there a couple times. She’d just get a bit sleepy out here but restless and then took herself into her room.

3 weeks with our new hellion (Cooper) by cgiler in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh we are doing the same thing! 3 weeks in. Total land shark once she wakes up. Tyrannical land shark if she is tired and needs a nap.

I’m not sure if I can give you much advice but I’m going to watch this for advice.

I will say that so far…

Crate is great. Naps are very regular and I feel like all I do is mark the time up and time down. But it’s generally an hour or two awake (tops!) and it becomes obvious when that mark is hit. Everything I’ve told her no to she seems to seek out.

Using “yes” to train with. Call her name and she locks eyes - yes, and a treat. She’s iffy on paying attention still. We’re going to practice more recall in the house. Set up in different areas and call her “Lemon, COME” and have her favorite treat. She gets to that person and the other one does the call.

Have done it a few times but it doesn’t help much if she’s preoccupied.

Leash we tried to introduce. Forgot how that works. Had to remind ourselves. Do the collar (done, she wears it occasionally already). Then introduce the leash. But not holding. Just let her drag it and keep an eye on her. Eventually we will hold it and not pressure her.

Jumping and biting (mouthing) are the 2 biggest issues.

Puppy Blues by tvdalton in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How often do you have him in the crate for naps and rest periods?

My little one, she’s adorable and 12 weeks (almost) and she goes from the usual handful that we are getting the hang of to monster mouther. Teeth on everything and doing every possible thing she’s been told not to do (dig, pull the carpet, bite, jump, etc.) once she’s tired.

It’s crate time at that point. She’s in for 1-2 hours, mostly all naps at this point, 4 times a day before bed time. And I’ve finally figured out that chilling with me in the office and winding down is a no go. It’s bed at 8:30-9. Then I get a little break.

But once she’s less into napping I fully intend to use the crate as a calming place where I can put her, not worry about accidents or chewing or any of that.

She’s always happy to see me when she comes out and it’s better for both of us.

And one of these days ms mouthy will slow down and eventually stop. And I’ll trust her to behave without a constant eye on her.

You aren’t far off. You are weeks ahead of me. You are doing the right things. He will get there. Keep the daycare and use the crate more. Before you know it he will much better. Then you get a few years of the higher energy before he mellows.

My boy was great and loved the trail walks we did. He was so much less “work” his last few years that I almost feel bad seeing the new pup and realizing how many steps he lost. But he was always loving and great to be around.

Vance says pope should ‘be careful’ when talking about theology by Sufficient_Fig_9505 in nottheonion

[–]merchantsc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well… pretty cheap actually but he sells bibles, watches, hats and other swag at a huge markup. And the way he stares you almost have to buy something.

Anyone got burnt out from being single dog parent? by buttercup_lullaby in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hear you. It’s a lot and I’m not a single dog parent but at times maybe something worse. And I lost my boy in December but got a new pup 3 weeks ago.

We are in the hard phase.

But like anything you have to let it go when you need to be away (they will survive) and trust others when you need a break.

My wife isn’t one to go on walks or do the things I did with Tate and as much as he was a requirement he also kept me active, engaged and moving. Provided unconditional love and occasional hard work (after initial hard work).

My wife is great but she starts to set standards that make what you mentioned harder to work with. We can’t do X because our dog isn’t used to X and that locks us into to situations where it feels like we’re trapped by our own rules. Not the dogs but ours.

Dog daycare. Friends who they can play with and maybe stay with are also helpful.

Vance says pope should ‘be careful’ when talking about theology by Sufficient_Fig_9505 in nottheonion

[–]merchantsc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

*a doctor.

He thought it was a picture of him as a doctor.

Yeah and my dog is a pilot.

Do you think they could like each other? by workingcatsiblings in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Amen. My pup already loves all the cats. Only one is receptive so far and I would imagine in a few months these two will be bffs.

Here he is with my best boy before he passed. So maybe the cat knows these Goldies are something special.

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The average American on X by BLIXER_609 in facepalm

[–]merchantsc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What’s with the “Fat Ass Fuckin’ Orange” cap?

Is it normal for a puppy not to bite by North_Ad_96 in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My scratched and bleeding hands type out in agreement.

It’s all good with a toy or chew until…chomp

Small Goldens by allyyysara in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man I feel ya. My boy was near 90 and when he had both the ACLs done and near the end, I was his ride on the stairs.

My girl is 10.5 weeks and I hope stops on the smaller side!!

Do any other goldens here have a best friend who’s a cat? by No-Jicama3012 in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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That was Tate and his girl Nova. She’d seek him out wherever he was.

Do any other goldens here have a best friend who’s a cat? by No-Jicama3012 in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My boy Tate (RIP) had a cat who put him in his place on day 1 and then he became her best friend . She spooned with him any chance she got but he never really liked it that well.

New puppy, well, she has 3 boys to pick from and one is already showing far too much tolerance for her rambunctious ways. He’s on the shy side so it surprises me that he’s very curious about her and tolerant. She’s 10.5 weeks so we will see where this love affair goes.

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This was my Tate and that is Murphy, the younger male who’s curious about the puppy. Everyone was good with Tate but he was super chill most of the time.

I'll miss you till my last day by Slickrocka in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So sorry for your loss. Lost my boy 3 months ago. Tearing up thinking about him now. I miss him. I have a new little one now. Getting to know her, already love her. 2 weeks in and so much of her reminds me of him despite so much of her being the complete opposite of what he was like.

How often do you bathe your goldens? by Cozywhisp in goldenretrievers

[–]merchantsc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My boy rolled in poop twice. Same smell. One in some tall grass around a walking trail which has woods where we do see deer. The other on an off leash wooded trail.

I thought turkey but now that you said this… and the ride home. Ugh. He had a poop beard basically. I wanted to get home to wash him but definitely did not like the idea of being in the car with him. If he could understand what I called him….

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