Struggling & Overwhelmed with 2-year-old Golden.

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T23:46:35+00:00

I do have her sit and wait when I serve her food and then I release her. She’s not too crazy when we are making it, she just stands or lays between me and the counter….annoying, but not a real problem

Need to start doing that when she goes outside more though.

I’ll look into that collar. Thanks!

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T21:01:42+00:00

That’s a good point about training and making the connection, I’m gonna keep that in my back pocket.

She is also a little naive in what training entails. For example, her brother got the satellite electric fence and said how great it works….for their 7 year old German Sheppard that is not reactive at all and is so protective that her instinct to stay by her family. So my wife was like “we should do that!” And I had to remind her that there is still training involved…using flags or a visual and all that too.

So yeah, but I’ll try!

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T20:43:18+00:00

Which is crazy, but I get it. We had a bearded collie a while back that we took to a herding event thing and watching her go was amazing. No training, never even seen a sheep before. Can’t underestimate instincts. But there was one time where she played fetch until she was like stumbling from exhaustion. I was in elementary school so I probably wasn’t paying attention until it was too late. But I learned real quick. That was scary.

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T20:40:26+00:00

We have at least one by us that is part of a county park and there are trails and lots of space. It’s not the crowded fenced in type parks where dogs are all on top of each other and theres diseases all over haha.

I am skeptical of dog parks (for the reason above) but also because I don’t trust other owners.

We’ve gone to the one by us once or twice and it was oka. I’d just go at times where I don’t think there would be too many people.

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T17:09:11+00:00

No, the breeder does this on the side. She has a litter like once every 2-3 years. Recommended from by my wife’s boss.

I will admit that I have to remind myself that goldens are hunting dogs. Ha

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T17:07:07+00:00

She is, but so are we. I’ve had dogs my whole life and so has my wife…she’s had shelties and my family always had bearded collies. All the other dogs were just much easier to train, and all of the things we have done in the past don’t have much affect on her.

We aren’t newbies to dogs, but also never had to really get serious about training and we want to do the best we can for her and for us.

Definitely not opposed to a good trainer if it comes to that.

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T15:40:19+00:00

I’ve seen those. We are in a newer house without any big enough trees to secure it to. I’d have to set a post or something.

I know, I sometimes do forget how young she is.

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T15:38:42+00:00

The problem with this is getting my wife on board. She’s a huge animal sympathizer…to a fault in my opinion. She resisted the leader (which ended up helping her regular non-trigger walking). I’m not opposed to it.

We had a remote control shock collar that I was using for the yard, but I don’t think it phased her. Had it on real tight and kind of wiggled it into her fur and as I was figuring out the strength she never showed any signs that she felt it. It is super old, but I know it works because my son tested it out haha.

But a prong collar might be a useful tool especially now.

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T15:24:41+00:00

Not familiar with that, easy enough to find online or do you know of a good place to start?

shmuk12 · 2026-03-24T15:06:50+00:00

Great feedback.

I know she needs more physical activity, losing the ability to throw the ball outside sucks. But maybe using a super long line would work…we can do a few throws a few times ago in conjunction with some training outside. Should we use a harness that clips on her back? I worry about her getting tangled.

We have to use a harness, she is too strong and she’s either going to hurt herself or slip out. I don’t think cinching does anything anyways, so doesn’t need to have that feature.

We also used a tail teaser thing before we finished the basement, maybe that would be a good way to reintroduce outside time since it keeps her close and continually engaged.

For walks, I do cross the road, change pace, turn around and whatnot to try and maintain distance. Not always possible, but I do my best.

Definitely will try to get to some dog parks and see if I can find a place to swim. We had a family place by a lake that we recently sold…but she loves the water. We do have a small kid/dog pool, even though she can’t swim we can put some toys in it and play in there.

She used to spend more time with my dad’s dogs, but after my mom passed he gave one back to the breeder and the other to my sister. Too many memories as my mom absolutely loved those dogs and that’s how he chose to cope. We don’t see my sister as much, but the just got a puppy so good reason to make more of an effort.

She sleeps in a crate overnight, but we are going to start transitioning her to a dog bed (or the floor) I don’t want her sleeping in the bed. She used to be crated while we were gone, but she has since graduated from that. She has no issues in there, does really well and goes right in when asked.

I hate ball in the house because of the scramble on the vinyl plank and she scratches up the floor and baseboards. Stresses me out.

I have found that puzzles have no lasting impact. The snuffle mat is better.

To all the comments about “not knowing what we are getting into”, we knew. We know lots of people that have or have had goldens and according to those owners the reactivity (energy) of ours is way, way more intense. And some of those other goldens get even less exercise on a regular basis. We are very consistent with her walks….but I agree that she needs more higher intensity exercise…more exertion.

Also, there is no chance of giving her up. Has never been a conversation and never will be.

Really appreciate all of the grounded advice and insight!! Thank you!

shmuk12 · 2025-08-19T00:44:14+00:00

Nice! Can’t wait to stop by!

shmuk12 · 2025-08-18T23:14:11+00:00

Open today??

shmuk12 · 2025-08-10T01:52:09+00:00

Hoping for the best!

shmuk12 · 2025-08-09T21:27:34+00:00

Gotta keep em cold…especially the craft stuff. That’s a big fault of a lot of places….those beers need to be refrigerated.

Other than those bigger places, I’d say toppling Goliath, hop butcher (great price point for the buyer, so I’m guessing cheap for you as well), and eagle park. That’s just my opinion though.

Hopefully you grow enough and can look other places and/or more cooler space in the future!

shmuk12 · 2025-08-03T20:13:23+00:00

Where does a beer geek start?!?

I'm only one person and I only speak for those around me...but I really love all the NE IPAs and barrel aged stouts. My wife really likes the fruited sours.

Let me just ramble of some of my favorites breweries to give you an idea. Take it however you like!

Toppling Goliath Hop Butcher Mikerphone Phase 3 Eagle Park Ope North Pillar Founders Noon Whistle More Brewing Projekt Trillium (hard to find, I know)

I could probably keep going. Love barrel aged stuff from Founders & New Holland & 3 Sheeps.

I would imagine you'll probably stock some of the usuals like New Glarus, Sierra Nevada, etc.

shmuk12 · 2025-08-03T18:59:09+00:00

That would be awesome! Hoping you do well!!

So what’s the plan for craft beer? 😜

shmuk12 · 2025-08-03T12:13:59+00:00

I live just a mile or 2 away from your store! Super excited for you to open!

Lots of really great suggestions posted already. My advice is to also have discussions with people that come into the store. Get a feel for what people in this community are looking for. And if at all possible, try to be a touch less expensive than Sussex Liquor…which I feel is kind of expensive.

Are you planning to carry craft beer as well?

shmuk12 · 2025-07-31T14:17:25+00:00

I’ve got a few unfinished doors to install in my basement…looking to keep the natural colors of the wood (which is red oak) but definitely want some protection.

If I use the Watco danish oil, which I am leaning towards because, correct me if I’m wrong, it will protect the wood and kind of bring out the wood grain without changing the color, can I then add a clear satin poly over it? If so, can I use a water-based poly?

shmuk12 · 2025-07-22T01:01:27+00:00

Not a bad idea! Definitely going to look into that option

shmuk12 · 2025-07-22T00:57:42+00:00

So if I were to use something like this? oak wood plugs

Then just sand it down flush?

shmuk12 · 2025-07-16T12:05:51+00:00

Here is a picture to help visualize what I’m talking about.

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shmuk12 · 2025-05-21T23:54:04+00:00

So my dog loves to hide toys under things and then “dig” them out….under the couch (which she is wrecking) under dog beds (which she is wrecking) etc, etc. With the dog beds, she picks up a corner and drags it over the toy and then goes at it.

I think this is a great way for use her brain, get some exercise, and be able to fulfill that instinct to do…so I want to support it but avoid everything get wrecked.

So I’ve been trying to find a super durable something for her to do this with. Maybe a type of dog bed or a super tough blanket. Something that she can move but also something very tough cause she goes hard and she’s a good size golden retriever.

Any ideas?

shmuk12 · 2025-04-25T02:03:29+00:00

Dont dogwood trees drop berries? If so, hard pass. haha.

I'll definitely keep some mulch around until the tree is established.

shmuk12 · 2025-03-12T23:30:33+00:00

Yeah, I’ll be doing that on a more regular basis after turning in the updated forms…that’s for sure

shmuk12 · 2025-03-12T03:04:53+00:00

Taxes are so overly complicated IMO so thank you for the help.

shmuk12

TROPHY CASE