BEFORE YOU PURCHASE A PUPPY ...

ASK THE BREEDER:

1)   Are the dam and sire screened for genetic problems the breed is known to have?

2)   What are the common problems found in this breed?

3)   Do you offer a guarantee? May I have a copy to take with me?

4)   How many years have you bred Goldens?

5)   How many litters do you have per year?

5)   What CKC/AKC activities do you do with your dogs?

6)   May I see a pedigree?

7)   May I see the dam? The sire? Any relatives?

8)   May I see the clearances and screening results of the sire and dam?

9)   Are you members of your breed club?

ASK YOURSELF:

1)   Does the dam have the kind of temperament and personality that I desire in my puppy?

2)   Are the premises clean?

3)   Are the dogs clean?

4)   Are the dogs happy? Friendly? Well-behaved?

5)   Is this breeder knowledgeable? Caring? Friendly?

6)   Is this the breeder that I want to deal with? That I could have a rapport with?

BE PREPARED TO ANSWER:

1)   Why do you want this dog? What do you expect of him?

2)   Do you have the proper facilities to care for a dog?

3)   Do you realize that owning a dog is an expense?

4)   Do you realize that owning a dog is an every day thing; not a spur-of-the-moment purchase?

5)   Have you owned other dogs? If so, what breed(s)?

6)   What happened to them?

7)   Will you keep in touch as to the progress (and any problems) of this dog?

8)   Do you have a fenced yard?

9)   Are you an active household?

10)  Do you have children?

11)  Is anyone home during the day?

12)  Are you prepared to commit the time it will take to train this puppy?

13)  Will you call me first if you ever feel that you have to re-home this dog?

A puppy is one of the most appealing creatures on earth. He's the embodiment of exuberance, humour and affection. But, there are a great many things that a puppy is not, and these negative aspects deserve some thought before you bring a puppy home.

A PUPPY IS NOT A TOY to be enjoyed while he is a novelty, then set aside in favour of a new diversion. He is a living thing whose physical demands must be met constantly for as long as he lives.

A young puppy needs more sleep than a human infant, even though your children may be in the mood to play with him. He needs to be fed regularly and often, even though his meals may conflict with family plans.

A young puppy is breakable. Very young children can inflict unintended tortures on a puppy, especially one of the small or fine boned breeds. And, his broken leg is much harder to fix than the broken wheel of a toy truck.

A PUPPY IS NOT A TEACHING AID guaranteed to instill a sense of responsibility in children. If a child loves his dog, he will probably enjoy brushing him, taking him for walks, filling his water dish, and other tasks. A sense of responsibility may well grow out of the relationship, but it is unfair to the animal to put his entire well-being into the hands of children.

Even the most dog-loving youngsters tire of daily chores, and parents who try to force the regime will be asking for friction. Unfortunately, it is the puppy who is the loser in this battle. Responsibility lessons are better left to the household tasks that don't involve a pet. The essentials of feeding, housebreaking, and discipline training will fall to an adult member of the household. Youngsters can help with the less essential jobs of grooming and walking.

Dogs and children do give each other something very valuable - time and attention that adults are often too busy to offer in sufficient quantities. This is the main function of a child-dog partnership.

A PUPPY IS NOT CHEAP. Whether you pay a nominal fee at the city humane shelter or what seems to be a king's ransom for a really special pup, the money paid to make the pet yours is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what it will cost to keep him.

There will be veterinary bills to pay for, both emergencies and regular vaccinations and check-ups. There will be city and county licenses to buy. And there are legal aspects of dog ownership you may never have considered - not just personal injury claims, but replacement of shrubbery or grass or neighbourhood children's clothing torn in play. And, there's the wear and tear on your furniture and carpets.

A PUPPY IS NOT A SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT PURCHASE or, at least, he shouldn't be. The wrong dog can be an unending nuisance to a household and it's much easier to acquire a pup than it is to get rid of a grown dog who didn't work out. Animal shelters are bulging with dogs who were acquired for the wrong reasons, or without sufficient investigation.

If your family has decided to buy a dog, by all means take the time to learn about the breed you have in mind. Every breed has characteristics of temperament, and some of these traits may not fit in with your lifestyle. Some breeds are prone to physical problems such as hip dysplasia, ear cankers, and eye anomalies. If you are aware of these problems, you can do a more intelligent job of selecting your puppy.

Many towns have kennel clubs whose members are reputable, knowledgeable, and generally helpful. Most breeders will be glad to answer your questions and to help you locate the pup you want. A veterinarian can put you in touch with the nearest kennel club. If you take the time to do some investigating before you buy, you will know what the going prices are for your chosen breed. Pet shops are often able to sell pups of very low quality for show-dog prices simply because few buyers bother to check.

Many puppies are bought impetuously because they looked cute in the pet shop window; because it was a nice day for a drive in the country and there was a kennel with a "Visitors Welcome" sign; or because another family pet had just died. Pups bought without being genuinely wanted - and planned for - too often end up at the animal shelter.

A PUPPY IS NOT SELF CLEANING. There will be puddles on rugs, vomiting occasionally, dog hair on clothing and furniture. There may be worms to be dealt with. If these prospects are intolerable to the housekeeper of the family, then perhaps the pleasures of owning a puppy will be overshadowed by the tensions it will cause.

Long-haired breeds need to be groomed - not only while the pup is small and new, but also week in and week out, for years. The heavy, silky coats of breeds such as cocker spaniels, Yorkshire terriers and Lhasa Apsos become matted in a very short time, especially in areas of friction, such as legs and flanks. If the dog's coat isn't combed thoroughly and frequently, it becomes unsightly and uncomfortable. The matts pull and irritate, and they make excellent hiding places for fleas and skin disorders.

A PUPPY IS NOT A GIFT unless the giver is certain that this particular puppy will be wanted. Not only now, but a year from now, ten years from now. And, even then, the puppy should be selected by his new owner rather than by someone else. The pup that appeals to one might very well not appeal to the other. It's a matter of chemistry, like love at first sight.

A PUPPY IS NOT AN ADULT DOG. He has neither the physical nor the mental ability to perform as an adult would. He cannot go for long periods of time without relieving himself. He cannot tolerate harsh training methods, nor can he differentiate between what is chewable and what isn't. Nor will he make any distinction between food and objects that hurt if he swallows them. He will try the patience of the most devout dog lover in the household and, at times, he may drive everyone mad! If he is very young, he will cry during his first night or two in his new home. He will require patience and understanding from everyone in the family.

A PUPPY IS NOT A PUPPY FOR LONG. Before you succumb to the charms of a clumsy St. Bernard pup, or a sad-happy hound, or a limpid eyed cocker, be very sure that you want not only the puppy he is now, but also the gangly, unattractive adolescent he is about to become, and the adult dog who may fall short of what you hoped he would be.

If you've faced all the negative aspects of puppy ownership and still want him, chances are good that your new dog will be one of the lucky ones who finds a permanent, happy home. And, you will enjoy the rewards of planned-parenthood-dog-ownership which will far overshadow the drawback.

Your daily absences are a fact of life. Make them routine - not traumatic.

"Now, Muffy. Mommy has to go out and leave you, but here are your toys and water and cookies. Now, you be a gooood girl and Mommy will see you soon. Here, let Mommy give you a big hug and kiss. Now, please, be a good girl!"

Is Muffy consoled? NO. Does Muffy understand any of what Mommy said? NO. Is Muffy confused? YES. Does Muffy feel anxious? YOU BET!

One of the worst elements of being a 9-to-5 out-of-the-house dog owner is the guilt we heap on ourselves at leaving the little one at home "all by herself". So, we turn ourselves inside out to dote on the dog, even more than we normally would, just prior to our leave taking. Our daily absences are a fact of life. We must make them routine - not turn our leaving into the most traumatic part of our dog's day.

On our return home, our guilt-ridden behaviour intensifies. "Oh, Muffy. Did you have a good day? Did you miss Mommy? I wuv my widdle Muffy. Oh, Mommy's sorry she had to leave her little baby. Want something to eat? Want to go walkies? You Mommy's little love?"

Is Muffy consoled? NO. Does Muffy understand any of what Mommy said? NO. Is Muffy confused? YES. Does Muffy feel anxious? YOU BET! Does Muffy have any idea what is expected of her? I doubt it.

Confronted with these daily displays, Muffy will do one of two things when Mommy leaves: shrug her shoulders and go find a corner, curl up and go to sleep for the next eight hours (highly unlikely), or watch the door close and then, because Mommy has instilled such a sense of anxiety, Muffy will look for an outlet for her frustration, such as chewing furniture, defecating, urinating, shredding curtains or paper, or barking while running helter-skelter throughout the house.

How did Muffy's owner make Muffy anxious? She just told her how much she loved her and how much she would miss her (assuming that Muffy would miss her as much!) and made a big fuss of her when she left. Mommy acted like this was a big problem.

Dogs are wonderful creatures, but they are creatures of habit and routine. Once a routine is established, dogs are quite happy knowing what's what, what is likely to happen next and what is expected of them when it does.

Does Muffy know what's happening? (Mommy's leaving! Aghhh!!) Does Muffy know what's going to happen next? (When Mommy comes home again, she's going to be upset! Aghhh!!) Does Muffy know what's expected of her while Mommy is gone? (Aghhhh! What to do? What to do??)

HOW DO WE AVOID THIS SCENARIO?

First of all, don't feel guilty because you're leaving the house for the day. This is a fact of life and dogs are very clever creatures. They communicate in dogese ... not English. They understand your para-language (whining, cooing, etc) and your body language and they interpret it accordingly.

So, how do we get out of the house? In the words of dog behaviourist, Dr. Ian Dunbar, "Close the door." Too simply stated? Then teach your puppy that you are leaving the house - daily - and that he has to learn to like (or, at least, tolerate) his own company. Puppy (or dog) should be confined to an area (an oversized crate is the best solution), given his supply of water, toys, cookies, Kong toys ... anything to keep him amused. Tell him, in a normal tone of voice, "Ta ta. Look after things while I'm gone, Kid. See you later." Then, simply leave.

Is Kid consoled? NO. Does Kid understand any of what was actually said? NO. Is Kid confused? NO. Does Kid feel anxious. NO!

When you return, leave the puppy (or dog) in his confined space but troop through and say, "Hey. How's it goin'? Cool your jets and I'll come and get you in a minute." Then, hang up your coat, put your purse down, go change your clothes, grab a beverage as you pass the fridge and then - and only then - go and let Kid outside for a piddle and a frisbee throw (or whatever Kid considers fun!).

MAINTAIN YOUR ROUTINE

How do you get a Kid and not a Muffy? Ideally, you start from the minute your puppy enters your home. If your regular routine is to be out of the house during regular working hours, that's the routine your puppy is introduced to at the start. It is far easier for an eight-week-old puppy, who has limited life experience, to handle this fact of life. This puppy learns his routine early and becomes accustomed to being alone.

Folks who are fortunate enough to have the summer months free from the workplace often think this is an ideal time to acquire a puppy. NOT SO. This eight-week-old puppy is 'trained' to expect that people, and sometimes kids, are available all day and all night, every day and every night. Then, when he passes his fourth-month birthday, the house empties and he finds himself totally alone. This is a difficult adjustment for a young dog. What happened? Was it something I did? Where did everyone go? Where's my entertainment?

This puppy should be trained, prior to school beginning again, in short spans of time gradually built up, that he will be left alone, confined, with his own company. Ideally, he should be acquired before school closes and becomes accustomed to being left alone. Bonus that all of a sudden there are people everywhere all day during the summer holidays. Yipee!! Once summer is over and he's left alone again, he computes through his memory banks and remembers this is "alone time". He is much better equipped to handle it. No biggie.

Your dog is an adult and you are returning to the workplace? All is not lost. Start teaching your dog that there are times he will be alone. Put your dog in his spot, give him his toys (even adult dogs love stuffed Kongs), and with no fuss or bother, leave the house. When initially teaching your dog this new 'game', just leave him for an hour or so and return. Build up the length of time that he's alone gradually. Again, no fuss or bother. If you don't make a big deal of this, neither will he. He may not even notice you were gone! No big deal on your return, either. Just a, "Hey Kid, whatcha doin'?"

If your lifestyle is such that you must be away from the house working all day and many of your evenings as well, relieving your work-related stress, then you may need to reconsider getting a puppy. They can handle you being away for the day but not half the night as well. Dogs are, after all, companion animals, and they need companionship.

Being a 9-to-5 out-of-the-house dog owner is a '90's way of life for many of us. Teach your puppy or dog to handle this. Spend quality time with the dog during the evening and you'll both be happier for it. And, prepare yourself. If you teach Muffy that your going and coming is nothing to concern herself with, Muffy soon won't give a hoot if you leave her for the day or not. Ever notice how much dogs sleep? That's what she'll do with her day - play a little and sleep a little and sleep a little more. She will, however, just like Kid, be happy to herald your return!

(This article was authored by Pat Renshaw and published in the 1997 Dogs In Canada Annual. Copyright is the author's.)

I know this is a lot of reading, but bear with me, I wouldn't put these on here if they weren't worth reading.

Thanks to Lida Verner for letting me use some of the stories from her website.

This one is well worth reading and makes you think about how different people are in the way they think about dogs and how important dogs can be in our lives.

Just an Old Golden Retriever

I grew up in your average middle-class Jewish home where pets were not available. I never had a pet. There was a lot of plastic on the furniture. Basically, pets were considered dirty, unwanted things. Animals were not part of my experience, so I had no conscience about them.

I got married in 1968, and in 1970 I had a baby. When he was 18 months old, we were living in a bungalow colony in upstate New York while waiting for our home to be built.  An elderly woman and her old golden retriever lived next door.  I used to see them together when the woman was outside gardening.  My son likee the dog, and she was a friendly animal, but that was all, as far as I was concerned.

When the woman died, her relatives came up and they emptied her house of her treasures, her clothing, anything they thought of value. They contacted a real estate agent who put out a For Sale sign on her property. Then they locked the dog out and drove away.

Because I'd grown up with no conscience about animals, it didn't even cross my mind to say, "Wait a minute. Someone should be taking care of this dog" or "who is going to be responsible for her?" It just didn't. I was not responsible for the dog.

Some of the neighbors mentioned that they'd feed her occasionally, but the dog mostly stayed near the house where she'd lived, where her owner had died. When the dog would come over to play with my son, Adam, he would feed her cookies; once in a while I would give her some leftovers.

One afternoon I went to get Adam, who'd been outside playing in our yard a safe, level grassy area and he was gone. Just gone. I was frantic. I looked for him, and then neighbors helped me look for him. We called the police. For three hours the police looked for him, then they called the state police. The state police brought in helicopters. My husband rushed home form the city. I was hysterical. We could not find Adam. We didn't know if he'd been abducted. We didn't know if he was alive. We could not find him.

The search had been going on for six hours when a neighbor, who'd just returned home, said, "Where's Brandy?" Brandy? The dog? Why was he asking about the dog? Someone else said, "Maybe he's with Adam." What did I know about animals? I said, "Why would she be with Adam? What does that mean?"

One of the troopers recalled that he'd heard a dog barking deep in the woods when they were doing the foot search. And suddenly everybody started to yell "Brandy!" including me.

We heard faint barking and followed the sound. We found my 18-month-old son, standing up, fast asleep, pressed against the trunk of a tree. Brandy was holding him there with one shoulder. One of her legs was hanging over a 35-foot drop to a stream below. She must have followed Adam when he wandered off, just as a dog will with a child, and she saw danger. She was a better mother than I; she'd pushed him out of harm's way and held him there. This was an old dog. Adam was an 18-month-old child. He struggled, I'm sure, but she'd held him there for all those hours. When I picked him up, she collapsed.

As the trooper carried my son back home, I, sobbing with relief, carried Brandy. I knew in that instant that she was coming home with me, too. Brandy spent the rest of her life with us, and I loved her completely; she lived to be 17 years old.

From then on, I made it a point to learn everything I could about animals. My focus at the time was old golden retrievers. Obviously, I thought they were the smartest, the best, and there was nothing like them. I started the first golden retriever rescue and have had as many as 35 of them in the house at a time, and it mushroomed from there.

Because of Brandy, I have a calling. I have a reason to get up in the morning. Because of Brandy, thousands of unwanted animals have been given safe lives. I can't save them all, but I can make a difference. We now have 300 animals, all kinds, including birds and pot-bellied pigs and are a well-recognized humane animal sanctuary. We take the animals that other shelters won't take the ones my mother would have said were dirty; the old ones who are incontinent, the blind, the ugly ones; they're all beautiful to me. So many organizations feel it's easier to euthanize these animals. I don't agree. How could I? If someone had put an abandoned 11-year-old golden retriever to sleep 29 years ago, I would not have a child. I wouldn't have a son who is the light of my life.

Pets Alive is a life-affirming memorial to Brandy.

If, after reading the above Things to Consider, you are still interested in getting a Golden Retriever, please fill out our Puppy Buyer Questionnaire.

Check out our Training/Behaviour Issues page for links to other websites containing great training information and general information on Golden Retrievers.

These are sites that I have found while "surfing" and I think are recommended reading before getting a puppy.  Doing your homework before getting a puppy ensures that you make an informed decision when choosing a breeder and picking out a puppy.

ramblin.goldens@sympatico.ca

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