Finn's thread!! Puppy is GROWING!!!

[black_cat]

Oh yeah no I’m sure haha it was a while ago right? I honestly think that they have been making retrievers smaller LOL the standard hasn’t technically changed but I don’t see the big huge bull moose dogs as much anymore they’re all so short now. So it would have Been easy to be 90 before with a big male

The parents were probably born like 20, 25 years ago

 

[ShrekDawg]

The parents were probably born like 20, 25 years ago

Oh wow

 

[black_cat]

He was 15 or 16 when he died, which was 5ish years ago.

 

[ShrekDawg]

ANYWAY, speaking of weight issues, my parents have always had this problem with their goldens: dog eats literally everything, dog gets overweight, dog gets less food and fewer treats, dog eats grass and poop, rinse and repeat.

One good thing is that goldens are food motivated, but I also don't want to give too many treats and stuff and I want to try to prevent that. Any ideas, aside from a REALLY solid 'leave it'?

You could try using their kibble to train with maybe? That’s what I’ve been doing with Brew since he’s sooooo food motivated he gets very excited even just about kibble.

Also just try feeding less and exercising more from the start to prevent them getting overweight in the first place and then that way they won’t feel like they’re missing out on food or whatever either since they never knew any different.

And no people food.

 

[black_cat]

You could try using their kibble to train with maybe? That’s what I’ve been doing with Brew since he’s sooooo food motivated he gets very excited even just about kibble.

Good idea...subtracting said kibble from their meals?

Also just try feeding less and exercising more from the start to prevent them getting overweight in the first place and then that way they won’t feel like they’re missing out on food or whatever either since they never knew any different.

Good idea!!
In the beginning, how long of walks should they have?

And no people food.

No people food has always been a rule but gosh it is hard when there is food being dropped on the floor by kids and unattended food for the same reason.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Good idea...subtracting said kibble from their meals?

Good idea!!
In the beginning, how long of walks should they have?

No people food has always been a rule but gosh it is hard when there is food being dropped on the floor by kids and unattended food for the same reason.

Yeah pretty much or you could even just skip a bowl altogether and use their meals to train.

And I honestly wouldn’t do structured walks like on pavement or anything at first. Can possibly be bad for growing puppies joints. Free play/running on a soft surface where they can pick their own pace is best or tug, training, other stuff to use their brain when they’re little. Doesn’t usually take much for the little guys LOL

But that said, the usual guide is about max 5 minutes per month of age two times a day.

And yeah that’s understandable! Maybe it will be easier now that you’re all older? Haha

 

[ShrekDawg]

Which btw reading that I think I’m over exercising Brew

 

[sourland]

Enjoy him. We've had 3 golden retrievers and all were great dogs - almost clones of one another.

 

[berryncherry]

You could try using their kibble to train with maybe? That’s what I’ve been doing with Brew since he’s sooooo food motivated he gets very excited even just about kibble.

Using kibble definitely works well!! It's been my main source for training. The treats are occasional. I split up the treats to even smaller pieces (if possible) and give the dog one or more if it goes outside to potty. Neutering or spaying also matters, because I've heard that they will be 2 times more likely to become obese.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Using kibble definitely works well!! It's been my main source for training. The treats are occasional. I split up the treats to even smaller pieces (if possible) and give the dog one or more if it goes outside to potty. Neutering or spaying also matters, because I've heard that they will be 2 times more likely to become obese.

Yeah, I mostly use kibble but do occasionally use real treats or meat for special things haha

And I mean honestly if you watch their weight and adjust their diet and exercise as needed it’s not really a concern