Getting a Golden Retriever Puppy

Once you have decided for the puppy, time seems like forever, and you want to have him with you almost immediately. But, since a breeder doesn't usually have the puppies at immediate disposal, take advantage to go meditating about your future with the dog, and getting things ready for his arrival.

The first encounter: Once the puppies are born, most breeders won't immediately give you the chance to see them. Be comprehensive, the mother and breeder need tranquility for the first few days. In the first two weeks, the puppies' eyes start to open and they start to stand on their feet. Instantly, they will begin to discover the world that surrounds them. Now you can ask your breeder to tell you when exactly you can visit him. Although your heart will indefinitely be conquered by the puppies, be rational. What will you have to especially consider? The place where the litter is has to be near the house, in sight and at voice distance, preferably in the same environment where the family life takes place. This way, the puppies, from the beginning, will be in contact with the daily routine and will get used to typical noises such as the vacuum cleaner, the blender, the TV, the telephone or children's screams. The kennel needs to have daylight and proper heating; it should be clean, although even with the best care, you might once in a while have a little "mount". After 3 or 4 weeks, the puppies have the freedom to run loosely in the open air, but protected against bad weather. Most breeders take them back to the kennel at night. The kennel in the garden should provide the proper acoustic and optical stimuli. It's important that the puppies get to know, under the care of the breeder, new people and maybe other animals (cats, horses, rabbits).

It's convenient to give a blanket to the breeder so he can place it somewhere in his house where the dog is intended to be. When your puppy is in his new house (yours) he will feel comfortable because he will recognize his mother's and brothers' scent.