Linda Whitwam - The Complete Golden Retriever Handbook

LINDA WHITWAM

Copyright

All rights reserved.

2017-2018 Linda Whitwam. All rights reserved. No part of this document, text, title, series, images, graphics or style may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author. For permission to reproduce any element of this book contact

ISBN-13: 978-1979837125

For optimum viewing, please read this ebook in a vertical format

If you are unfamiliar with them, crates may seem like a cruel punishment for a lovable puppy. They are, however, becoming increasingly popular to help with housetraining (potty training), to give you and the puppy short breaks from each other and to keep the dog safe at night or when you are not there. Breeders, trainers, behaviourists and people who show dogs all use them and, as you will read, many Golden Retriever breeders believe they are also a valuable aid in helping to housetrain your dog.

Getting Your Dog Used to a Crate

If you decide to use a crate, then remember that it is not a prison to restrain the dog. It should only be used in a humane manner and time should be spent to make the puppy or adult dog feel like the crate is his own safe little haven. If used correctly and if time is spent getting the puppy used to the crate, it can be a godsend.

Crates may not be suitable for every dog. Goldens are not like hamsters or pet mice which can adapt to life in a cage; they thrive on being involved and living with others. Being caged all day is a miserable existence, and a crate should never be used as a means of confinement because you are out of the house all day. If the door is closed on the crate, your puppy must ALWAYS have access to water while inside.

If you do decide to use one - perhaps to put your dog in for short periods while you leave the house, or at night - the best place for it is in the corner of a room away from cold draughts or too much heat. And because Goldens like to be near their family, which is you and/or the other dogs, dont put the crate in a utility room or garage away from everybody else or the dog will feel lonely and isolated.

Dogs with thick coats like the Golden can overheat indoors. When you buy a crate, get a wire one (like the one pictured) which is robust and allows air to pass through, not a plastic one which may get very hot. If you cover the crate, dont cover it 100% or you will restrict the flow of air.

The crate should be large enough to allow your dog to stretch out flat on his side without being cramped, and he should be able to turn round easily and to sit up without hitting his head on the top. A fully-grown Golden will probably require a 42 crate. If you only intend buying one, get one of the larger sizes and divide it until your puppy grows into the full-sized crate.

Here is Midwest Pet Products sizing guide for crates, based on the anticipated adult weight of your dog: www.midwestpetproducts.com/midwestdogcrates/dog-crate-sizes.

You have a number of options when it comes to deciding where to put the crate. Perhaps consider leaving it in the kitchen or another room (preferably one with an easy-to-clean surface) where there are people during the day. If you have noisy children, you have to strike the balance between putting the crate somewhere where he wont feel isolated, yet is able to get some peace and quiet from the kids. You could then bring it into your bedroom for the first one or two nights until the puppy settles. Some breeders advise putting the crate right next to the bed for the first couple of nights or so even raised up next to the bed, so the puppy doesnt feel alone. A couple of nights with broken sleep is worth it if it helps the young pup to settle in, as he or she will often then sleep thought the night quicker. After that, you could put the crate in a nearby place where the dog can hear or smell you at night-time - such as the landing - or you could leave it in the same place, e.g. the kitchen, 100% of the time.

It is only natural for any dog to whine in the beginning. He is not crying because he is in a cage. He would cry if he had the freedom of the room and he was alone - he is crying because he is separated from you. However, with patience and the right training, he will get used to it and some come to regard the crate as a favourite place. Some owners make the crate their dogs only bed, so he feels comfortable and safe in there. Crates arent for every owner or every dog but, used correctly, they can:

• Create a canine den
• Be a useful housetraining tool
• Give you and the dog a bit of a break from each other
• Limit access to the rest of the house while your dog learns the household rules
• Be a safe way to transport your dog in a car

If you use a crate right from Day One, initially cover half of it with a blanket to help your puppy regard it as a den. He also needs bedding and its a good idea to put a chew in as well. A large crate may allow your dog to eliminate at one end and sleep at the other, but this may slow down his housetraining. So, if you are buying a crate which will last for a fully grown Golden, get adjustable crate dividers or make them yourself (or put a box inside) - to block part of it off while he is small so that he feels safe and secure, which he wont do in a very big crate. Pictured is a 42 crate.

You can order a purpose-made crate mat or a vet bed to cover the bottom of the crate and then put some bedding on top. Vet beds are widely used by vets to make dogs feel warm, secure and cosy when receiving treatment, but theyre just as good for using in the home. They are made from double-strength polyester with high fibre density to retain extra heat and allow air to permeate.

They also have drainage properties, so if your pup has an accident, he or she will stay dry, and they are a good choice for older dogs as the added heat is soothing for aging muscles and joints, and for any dogs recovering from surgery or treatment. Another added advantage of a vet bed is that you can wash it often and it shouldnt deteriorate. Bear in mind that a bored or lively Golden puppy is a little chew machine so, at this stage, dont spend a lot of money on a fluffy floor covering for the crate as it is likely to get destroyed.

Many breeders recommend not putting newspapers in one part of the crate, as this encourages the pup to soil the crate. If you have bought your puppy from a reputable breeder, she will probably already have started the housetraining process, and an eight-week-old pup should be able to last several hours without needing the toilet. Its then a case of setting your alarm clock to get up after five or six hours to let the pup out to do his or her business for the first week or so. You might not like it, but this will certainly speed up housetraining.

Once youve got your crate, youll need to learn how to use it properly so that it becomes a safe, comfortable den for your dog. Heres a tried-and-tested method of getting your dog firstly to accept a crate, and then to actually want to spend time in there. Initially a pup might not be too happy about going inside, but he will be a lot easier to crate train than an adult dog which has got used to having the run of your house. These are the first steps: