How to Prepare for Your Golden Retriever Puppy’s First Week

Bringing a Golden Retriever puppy home is incredibly exciting, but it’s important to be well-prepared to make the transition smooth for both you and your new puppy. Here are the steps I took to get everything ready:

Prepare for Your Golden Retriever Puppy’s First Week

Crate and Gates:

One of the first things I did was borrow a smaller crate from a friend. This crate helped create a safe and comfortable space for my puppy to sleep and rest. I also put up baby gates around the kitchen to keep her in a secure area where I could easily watch her.

Treats and Accessories:

Before bringing her home, I made sure to get some essential items. I bought a house line (an indoor leash) and a flat buckle collar. It’s important for your puppy to have her own collar and leash. Additionally, I spoke to the breeder to get recommendations on the best type of food to feed her and how much she should eat.

The First Night of Golden retriever puppy

The first night with a new puppy can be a bit challenging, but with the right preparation, it can go smoothly. Here I’ll write about my Golden Retriever Puppy’s first night at home:

Crate Training:

I wanted to start crate training right away. I began by putting her in the crate for short periods, gradually increasing the time. This helped her get used to the crate and see it as a safe and comfortable space.

Night Routine:

On her first night, I was prepared for some interruptions. She slept until 2 AM. When she woke up, I took her out without making a big fuss, let her pee, and then put her back in the crate. She settled down and slept until 7 AM. This routine helped her get used to night time and sleeping in the crate.

Also Read 5 Tips & where to Buy Red Golden Retriever Puppies

Supervision and House Training

Supervision is crucial during the first week to ensure your puppy is safe and starts learning the house rules. Here I’ll write about how I handled supervision and house training of Golden Retriever Puppy.

100% Supervision:

Whenever my puppy was out of her crate, she wore her collar and leash. I kept a close eye on her, even stepping on her leash if she was about to get into something she shouldn’t. This helped prevent accidents and unwanted behavior.

Potty Training:

Potty training requires patience and consistency. I took her outside almost every half hour, especially after she came out of her crate or finished playing. I praised her for going potty outside but didn’t give treats. Praise alone was enough to reinforce good behavior without creating a dependency on treats for going potty.

Basic Training Exercises

Training should start right away to help your puppy learn basic commands and behaviors. During the first week, I focused on several key exercises:

Sit and Down:

I used treats to lure her into a sitting position and then into a lying down position. Each time she followed the command, I rewarded her with a treat and praise. This helped her learn these basic commands quickly.

Name Recognition:

Teaching her to recognize and respond to her name was another important step. I repeatedly said her name and rewarded her each time she looked at me or came towards me. This exercise helped her learn her name and associate it with positive experiences.

Retriever-Specific Training:

Since Golden Retrievers are natural retrievers, I started with simple tugging and fetching games. I used a fuzzy toy and played tug with her, then threw it a short distance for her to fetch. This not only provided exercise but also began building her retrieving skills. I also introduced a small bumper, which is used in field training, to start working on short retrieves.

Socialization

Introducing your puppy to other dogs and new environments is a crucial part of their development. Here I’ll write about how I handled socialization of Golden Retriever Puppy.

Controlled Introductions:

I have an older Golden Retriever and a younger, larger shepherd. I introduced my new puppy to the older dog first, knowing she would be gentle. For my larger shepherd, I was more cautious. I kept him on a leash to ensure he didn’t accidentally hurt the puppy. Supervision during these introductions was essential to ensure positive interactions.

Building Value:

I made sure that interactions with my other dogs were supervised. This helped my puppy look to me for guidance and leadership rather than only seeing the other dogs as sources of fun. It’s important to build a strong bond with your puppy during this time.

Traveling and Socialization

Getting your puppy used to traveling and new environments is also part of their early experiences. Here I’ll write about how I managed the Traveling and Socialization of Golden Retriever Puppy.

Crate Training in the Car:

I started by taking my puppy on short trips in her crate. This helped her get used to the car and being in a crate during travel. We took short trips to places like my sibling’s house and my workplace, where she could play and get accustomed to new surroundings.

Safe Socialization:

Since puppies haven’t had all their vaccinations yet, it’s important to be cautious about where you take them. I only took her to places I knew were safe and where other dogs were vaccinated. This included places like my workplace and my sibling’s home, where I knew she wouldn’t be exposed to unvaccinated dogs.

Conclusion:

Bringing a new Golden Retriever puppy home requires preparation, patience, and constant supervision. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition and start building a strong bond with your new puppy. Enjoy every moment with your new furry friend and happy training!