Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle personalities. They work as guide dogs for the blind and as helpers for people with motor disabilities because of their good temperaments, eagerness to please, and strength. Although they rarely act aggressive, Golden Retrievers will bark and wake their families in the presence of an intruder. That being said, Golden Retrievers were bred as hunting dogs. They are large and need a great deal of activity to be happy. They also love to swim. They take two to three years to mature and often stay clownish their whole lives. These large, active puppyish dogs need to live indoors with their humans because they form attachments and are not happy living out in the backyard.
Their size and need for activity, however, do not necessarily make them unfit for seniors. They can be taken to dog parks and beaches where dogs are allowed to run around off leash. They have a love of chasing things, and seniors who are past jogging can throw a toy for a golden retriever to fetch. Throwing a toy into a lake or into the ocean can provide a large dog with the fun of chasing, swimming, and retrieving and use up plenty of energy.
Puppies of this dog breeds can be wary of water, so take your Golden Retriever pup to a lake and allow him or her to explore. Puppies have a natural tendency to be curious and want to experience new things. When the puppy begins to touch the water, give praise and encourage him or her to explore further. Another technique is to stand on one side of a pool or small stream and have another family member stand on the other side. Put the puppy down near the water and have the other family member call him or her. When the dog reaches the opposite side, give praise, then call him or her to the other side. Make a fun game of it until the puppy appears ready for a rest. When the puppy grows to its full size and strength it will be able to handle ocean waves that an average human swimmer can play in.
For seniors who are not able to take their dogs to parks or beaches, professional dog walkers are available. Golden Retrievers should be walked twice a day for half an hour. If the cost is prohibitive, family members who live nearby, such as responsible grandchildren, can be helpful.
In the case of older people with fragile bones, a large, playful puppy can be dangerous if allowed to jump, but fortunately Golden Retrievers are easy to train due to their good dispositions and natural talent for obedience. A puppy who jumps is looking for attention, so do not pet him or her. Turn away and say, 搊ff? When he or she calms down, give praise and affection or a treat or play.
Their playful, mischievous natures can make for difficulties in training if your Golden Retriever decides it is fun to see how much he or she can get away with. For this reason, it is best to be gentle but firm in establishing that you are the pack leader. Do not shout or physically punish your pup if he or she does something that is against the rules. That is counterproductive. In a calm, stern voice, say 搉o,?and take away the shoe your puppy has just chewed. Turn away to show your displeasure. This will work better than confusing or frightening your dog with a raised voice or hand.
If giving a golden retriever enough exercise and training sounds like a daunting task for a senior, consider smaller dog breeds. Choosing a dog should take into account the unique needs of both the dog and the human caregiver.
