welcome your new dog with confidence!

Bringing home a new dog is exciting, but preparation is key! Here's a guide to create a smooth transition for both you and your furry friend:

Dog-Proofing Your Home: 

Safety First: Secure wires, remove harmful objects, and block off restricted areas.

Fenced Yard? Double-check fences and gates are secure.

Cozy Crate: Set up a crate for a quiet, safe haven for your dog to relax. 

Essentials for Your New Dog:

Food & Water: Bowls for food and fresh water are a must-have.

Identification: A collar, leash, and ID tag ensure your dog's safety.

Playful Fun: Stock up on toys and chew toys to keep your pup entertained.

Bringing Your Dog Home:

Gradual Introduction: Start outside, show them the yard and take them for a walk.

Introducing Pets: If you have another dog, have a slow introduction outdoors first.

Home Tour: Gradually explore your home with your dog on a leash.

Quiet Time: Give your dog time to adjust, avoid overwhelming situations for the first few days.

Routine is Key: Establish a feeding, walking, and playtime routine from day one.

Training Time: Consider dog training classes to help you and your dog learn together.

Kids & Dogs: Supervise interactions between children and your new dog for the first few weeks.

pick a name:

Unleash Your Creativity! I get asked this question alot. Our litter themes help us track these adorable pups, but the real fun starts with YOU! Pick a name that perfectly reflects your Golden Retriever's personality – playful, posh, or totally unique, it's all up to you. All our Golden Retrievers come with AKC registration papers, allowing you to choose a formal name for their official papers, or stick with your perfect pick!

Naming Tips:
Short & Sweet (1-2 syllables)
Clear & Distinct (no confusion with commands)
A Name You Love (you'll say it a lot!)

The 3-3-3 Rule: Adjusting to a New Home

Every dog adjusts at their own pace, but here's a general guideline:

First 3 Days: Your dog may be overwhelmed, not eating, or testing boundaries. Be patient!

After 3 Weeks: Your dog will settle in, show more personality, and may start testing behaviors.

After 3 Months: Your dog should be comfortable, bonded with you, and feel at home.

Essential Supplies for Your New Puppy:

Crate or Carrier: Provides a safe space to sleep, rest, or travel.

Comfy Bed: Gives your puppy a sense of security and comfort.

Food & Water Bowls: Sturdy, non-slip bowls for easy eating and drinking.

Leash & Collar: Essential for safe walks and training. Ensure a proper fit.

Variety of Toys: Keeps your pup entertained and prevents chewing on unwanted objects.

High-Quality Food: Choose puppy food appropriate for your dog's age, size, and breed (consult your veterinarian).

Potty Training Supplies: Pads, a grass pad, or a litter box can help with house training.

Cleaning Up Accidents: Pet-friendly cleaners, paper towels, and odor eliminators are helpful.

Training Treats: Reward good behavior during training sessions.

Basic Grooming Supplies: Brush, comb, nail clippers, and a toothbrush for regular grooming.

By following these tips and having essential supplies on hand, you can create a smooth transition and a loving environment for your new dog. Welcome to pet parenthood!

Welcome Home, New Golden Family!

Congratulations on welcoming your adorable Golden Retriever puppy! We at Sun and Sand Goldens are thrilled to have you join our family. This guide covers essential care for your new furry friend:

Golden Retriever Puppy Essentials:

Feeding:

Three meals a day for balanced nutrition (adjust portions as your pup grows).

We recommend a mix of high-quality puppy food (wet & dry) for a varied diet.

Always provide fresh water.

Follow vet or food package guidelines for portion adjustment.

Potty Training:

Designate a specific litter box location (easily accessible).

Take your puppy to the box after meals, drinks, and naps.

Reward them for using the box correctly.

Maintain a consistent routine and clean the litter box regularly.

Puppy Health:

Deworming: Your puppy received deworming at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Consult your vet for a continued schedule.

Vaccinations: Your puppy will have been vaccinated at least once. Discuss a vaccination schedule with your vet to continue boosters and keep your puppy healthy.

Heartworm Prevention: Start a prevention regimen as recommended by your veterinarian.

Additional Tips:

Spaying/Neutering: Discuss the best timing for spaying/neutering your puppy with your veterinarian (around 6 months is common but we suggest 1 year or more).

Keeping Your Pup Safe:

Registration: Register your puppy with breed registries or kennel clubs to establish ownership and access health records.

Microchipping: Your puppy will come with permanent identification. Ensure your contact details are up-to-date. 

Keep Your Furry Friend Safe with BuddyID Microchipping

Your adorable new puppy is all set for adventure, but have you considered how to ensure their safe return if they ever wander off? All our puppies come microchipped with BuddyID, a reliable and permanent solution for reuniting you with your furry friend.

Never face the heartache of a lost pet again:

The unimaginable scenario of a lost pet can send shivers down any pet parent's spine. BuddyID microchipping offers a permanent and reliable solution for reuniting you with your beloved companion animal.

What is BuddyID microchipping?

Imagine a tiny biocompatible capsule, about the size of a rice grain, containing a unique identification number. That's exactly what a BuddyID microchip is. Implanted painlessly under your pet's skin between the shoulder blades, this microchip offers a safe and secure way to identify your furry friend.
Important Note: BuddyID is not a GPS tracker.

How does it work?

Should your pet wander off and end up at a shelter or veterinary clinic, a quick scan with a reader reveals the microchip number. This number acts as a key, unlocking your pet's unique profile stored in a secure online registry linked to BuddyID. Unlike other services with recurring fees, BuddyID offers lifetime registration for one affordable price, providing peace of mind without breaking the bank.

Benefits of BuddyID microchipping go far beyond convenience:

Increased chance of a happy homecoming: Statistics speak for themselves. Microchipped pets have a significantly higher chance of being reunited with their families compared to those without.

Peace of mind you deserve: Knowing your pet is microchipped allows you to focus on finding them during a stressful time, rather than fearing the unknown.

Safe and permanent solution: BuddyID microchips are biocompatible and designed to last the lifetime of your pet, ensuring your furry friend is always identifiable.

Travel made easy: Microchipping is a requirement for international pet travel in some countries. By getting your pet microchipped with BuddyID, you're one step ahead of planning your next adventure together.

Registration for life: Complete the online registration process with BuddyID to link your contact information to your pet's microchip number. This ensures you're easily reachable if your pet is ever found.

Why Register Your Dog? Understanding the Benefits of AKC Registration

Looking to give your furry friend the best start in life? Dog ownership goes beyond walks and playtime. Registering your pup with a recognized registry like the American Kennel Club (AKC) offers a surprising number of benefits for both you and your dog.

The AKC: More Than Just Registration

Founded in 1884, the AKC is a leader in all things purebred dogs. They don't just register pups; they offer pedigree analysis, connect you with reputable breeders, and organize exciting events showcasing canine skills in agility, obedience, and conformation.

Registration: Beyond a Piece of Paper

Registering your dog isn't just about having a fancy certificate. It's a key part of responsible dog ownership:

Proof of Ownership & Heritage: Registration provides an official ID, verifying ownership and tracing your dog's lineage. This is especially important for purebreds, offering insights into potential health concerns.

Responsible Breeding Practices: AKC registration ensures breeders follow strict standards, promoting healthy breeds and discouraging practices that compromise your dog's well-being.

Unlock the World of Canine Events: AKC registration opens the door to competitions, fostering a sense of community with other dog lovers and offering valuable networking opportunities.

Supporting Canine Health Research: Your registration fee contributes to research initiatives, helping to understand and combat genetic diseases in dogs.

Making Registration Easy: 

Gather Documents: Collect proof of ownership and, for purebreds, pedigree information.

Register Online: The AKC offers a user-friendly online application process.

Pay the Fee: A small fee covers registration costs (price may vary).

Get Confirmed: Once processed, you'll receive your dog's official registration documents.

Keep it Updated: Regularly update your registration to maintain accuracy.

By registering your dog with the AKC, you're not just getting a certificate; you're investing in your dog's future and contributing to a healthier, happier canine community.

Essential learning: Summary of "Before You Get Your Puppy" by Dr. Ian Dunbar

Before You Get Your Puppy download e-book

Dr. Ian Dunbar's "Before You Get Your Puppy" is an essential guide for prospective puppy owners, aiming to prepare them for the responsibilities and challenges of raising a well-behaved, confident, and happy dog. The book emphasizes the importance of early education, socialization, and training, and is structured around six critical developmental deadlines.

Key Points:

Importance of Education:

1. • Prospective owners should educate themselves on puppy training and behavior before getting a puppy. This includes understanding the basics of housetraining, chewtoy-training, and socialization.

Selecting a Puppy:

1. • Choose a puppy from a responsible breeder who raises puppies indoors and ensures early socialization with people, especially men, children, and strangers.

   • Evaluate the puppy's progress in terms of handling, gentling, sound sensitivity, and basic manners before making a selection.

Early Socialization:

1. • The first three months are crucial for socializing the puppy to people and other dogs. It is recommended that the puppy meets at least 100 different people before they are 12 weeks old to prevent fearfulness and reactivity later in life.

Bite Inhibition:

1. • Teaching the puppy to have a "soft mouth" and inhibit biting is vital. This training should be prioritized before the puppy reaches 18 weeks of age.

Preventing Adolescent Problems:

1. • Regular socialization and training must continue through the puppy's adolescence to maintain good behavior and prevent issues like fearfulness and aggression.

Errorless House training and Chew toy training:

1. • Implementing a structured confinement schedule from the first day the puppy comes home helps in errorless housetraining and chewtoy-training. This includes long-term confinement when the owner is not home and short-term confinement for housetraining.

Practical Advice:

• Daily Schedule and Household Rules:

  • Puppies need to learn where to eliminate, what to chew, and when to settle down. Establishing a daily schedule and consistent household rules is crucial for a well-behaved puppy.

• Puppy Playroom and Confinement:

  • Set up a puppy playroom with a comfortable bed, water, chewtoys, and a designated toilet area. This setup helps prevent mistakes around the house and encourages the puppy to use the correct toilet and chew appropriate toys.

• Positive Reinforcement:

  • Use reward-based training techniques, such as luring and rewarding with treats, to teach the puppy basic commands and good behavior.

• Puppy Training Classes:

  • Enroll the puppy in puppy training classes to provide opportunities for socialization and to learn bite inhibition through play with other puppies.

Dr. Dunbar stresses that the key to a happy and well-behaved dog lies in the early efforts of the owner to educate themselves, select a well-socialized puppy, and implement consistent and positive training methods. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition for the puppy into their new home and to lay the foundation for a lifelong positive relationship between the dog and the owner.

For more detailed guidance and resources, Dr. Dunbar recommends visiting Dunbar Academy and taking advantage of their free puppy training courses.

continued learning: Summary of "after You Get Your Puppy" by Dr. Ian Dunbar

After You Get Your Puppy download e-book

Dr. Ian Dunbar's "After You Get Your Puppy" serves as a comprehensive guide for new puppy owners, emphasizing the importance of continuing education and training to ensure a well-behaved and well-adjusted adult dog. The book is structured around three developmental deadlines and provides practical advice on socialization, bite inhibition, and preventing adolescent problems.

Key Points:

Developmental Deadlines:

1. • Socialization with People (by 12 weeks of age): It's crucial to expose your puppy to a wide variety of people, especially children, men, and strangers, to ensure they grow up to be friendly and well-adjusted. Aim to have your puppy meet at least 100 different people before they are three months old.

   • Learning Bite Inhibition (by 18 weeks of age): Teaching your puppy to have a "soft mouth" is vital. This involves ensuring they learn to control the force of their bites, which is crucial for preventing serious injuries in case they ever bite a person or another dog.

   • Preventing Adolescent Problems (by five months of age): Consistent training and socialization must continue through adolescence to prevent behavioral issues like fearfulness and aggression.

Household Etiquette:

1. • Housetraining and Chewtoy-Training: Implement a structured confinement schedule to prevent mistakes and teach your puppy where to eliminate and what to chew. This includes using a puppy playroom for long-term confinement and a dog crate for short-term confinement.

   • Home Alone Training: Teach your puppy to be calm and occupied when left alone by providing chewtoys and creating a comfortable, safe environment. This helps prevent separation anxiety and destructive behavior.

Socialization and Handling:

1. • Socialization with People: Continue socializing your puppy with different people in various environments. Organize puppy parties and invite guests to help with handfeeding and basic training.

   • Handling and Gentling: Teach your puppy to enjoy being handled and examined by gently exposing them to being touched in sensitive areas like the ears, paws, and mouth. This ensures they are comfortable with routine grooming and veterinary visits.

Preventing Behavioral Issues:

1. • Separation Anxiety: Gradually teach your puppy to be comfortable being left alone by following a consistent confinement schedule and providing stimulating toys.

   • Chewing and Digging: Provide appropriate chewtoys and supervise your puppy to prevent destructive behaviors. Redirect their energy to acceptable activities and reward good behavior.

Training Techniques:

1. • Positive Reinforcement: Use reward-based training methods to encourage desired behaviors. This includes using treats and praise to reinforce commands like "sit," "stay," and "come."

   • Regular Practice: Consistently practice training exercises and socialization activities to reinforce good behavior and ensure your puppy remains well-adjusted as they grow.

Practical Advice:

• Daily Routine and Structure: Establish a daily routine that includes regular feeding, play, training, and socialization sessions. Consistency is key to helping your puppy understand expectations and develop good habits.

• Puppy Classes: Enroll in puppy training classes to provide structured socialization and training opportunities. These classes are valuable for teaching bite inhibition and basic obedience skills.

Dr. Dunbar emphasizes that the foundation for a happy and well-behaved dog is laid during the early months of their life. By following the guidelines and techniques outlined in "After You Get Your Puppy," owners can ensure their puppies grow into well-mannered, confident, and sociable adult dogs. The book provides a wealth of practical advice and step-by-step instructions to help new puppy owners navigate the challenges and joys of raising a puppy.

For further information and resources, Dr. Dunbar recommends visiting Dunbar Academy and exploring their training courses and materials.