Young Golden?

[Puppylove01]

I was thinking about getting like a 8 months-1 yr old golden.
Because they will bond w/u. And they are still puppies! But i have a question! Um...if i were to get a 1yr old golden would i really need a crate? :confused:

[MyBoyGus]

It depends on the dog and how much training they have. Any dog that is not accustomed to being in a house can be destructive. As long as you have an area that you can confine them to where there is nothing they can get at you don't necessarily need a crate. Remember, a crate isn't just for you, it is so the pup won't get into anything that can hurt them. Pups get into things that you would never expect them to get into, just be careful.

You also want to confine them because you want to make sure they are housebroken. Even a housebroken dog can have an accident the first day or two until they become accustomed to their new home.

Any age dog can bond with you if you love them and treat them well. I foster for a rescue and it is amazing how quickly these guys bond to you. The important thing to remember when you are looking at an older dog or pup is that you should feel some kind of connection to them when you interact with them. Good luck with your search.

[Puppylove01]

thanks

[Puppylove01]

So if the dog is housebroken u don't think that i'll really need the crate?

[MyBoyGus]

It depends on the dog. Dogs can still be quite destructive and get into everything. You need a way to confine them at first. For an older dog, baby gates don't always work. A friend of mine (this was many years ago) didn't want to crate so she put her dog in her bathroom. The dog chewed on the moulding around her door even though she had plenty of other chew toys there. She did end up getting a crate for her and crated her for a while and then gradually gave her freedom. She had to replace all the moulding around her door. She was 9 mos at the time. My dog Gus was 10 mos when I got him and he was always good. I think I crated him for maybe 2 weeks before I started letting him out for short periods of time. He never did any damage, but then he is an exceptionally good boy! ;) I think the most important thing is having a way to confine the dog until you find out how he or she is in the house.

[Puppylove01]

Yeah, just for the first weeks i'll use a crate. Thanks for the help! :D

[GoldCountryGirl]

Yeah, just for the first weeks i'll use a crate. Thanks for the help! :D

Remember, Goldens often don't grow up until they're 2 or 3...even more so with males.

I feel a crate is a wonderful thing to have around...at first it can be used as a training tool or to safely confine your dog or pup at certain times when he or she cannot be supervised. Also, like me, some folks have their dogs sleep in the crate at night (door closed and latched). They're safe in their little "bedroom" with a "curtain" (I drape a dark towel over it)...and you won't worry about them waking up and getting into something. I use a VariKennel.

Sometimes dogs, themselves, enjoy having an open kennel or crate to retreat to, especially if you're having a lot of company around and it gets kind of loud and "busy". It's a nice safe haven.

My problem with a large dog and a crate/kennel is where to find the space! My little dog sleeps in hers next to our bed...and hasn't had her Midwest wire crate downstairs since she was a little pup. But she has been very trustworthy and has the run of the house for over 7 years. I'm not as sure about a Golden. They tend to get bored and like to chew more. So, where would I put a large crate?? THAT is the question!

Good luck!

[theGoldenPup]

A crate is also great for using when you aren't home to supervise (especially at first!), when you are traveling in the car, and to have a portable 'bed' on overnight trips (...not all places appriciate dog hair on the beds...).

Are you planning on getting your puppy from a breeder or a rescue/shelter? Shelters often have goldens that age (80% of the goldens we looked at in shelters were about that age), because they're starting to act a bit more troublesome, the novelty of a puppy has worn off, and bad manners from the pup. House training might be one of those things, and then a crate would be quite helpfull.

Hope your search goes well!

GoldenPup

[Puppylove01]

Thanks

So u'd recramend for the 1st few weeks while u are gone to sue the crate?

And at night to use the crate also?

And i'm talkin about a 1yr old dog

[GoldCountryGirl]

A 1 year old Golden is still basically a puppy. And, if he is from a rescue or foster situation, or maybe even from a reputable breeder, he may need to re-learn certain good behaviors. And, things are strange and stressful in a new situation.

Each dog is an individual, so I can't tell you whether he absolutely NEEDS to sleep in a crate at night. You may be the type who wants him to sleep on your bed. Or he may do perfectly fine at the foot of your bed in his own bed. I would close your bedroom door, though, just to have a bit of confinement. Also, if he shows signs of not being housetrained, you might consider having him in a crate just so he'll learn to hold his urine. They usually don't like to soil their sleeping quarters. Just don't feed him liquids at night and make sure he goes out for his last potty run right before you go to bed.

As for using the crate for a couple weeks, again, you'll probably be playing it by ear. Wait until you get a better judge of his personality and know how much he's been trained. I would definitely have one available, though. Do you happen to have a van or SUV? A crate or VariKennel is perfect to keep in the back all the time. That way you can just put him in there when you go for a drive. Safe and sound.

Have fun with your new young pup!


Thanks

So u'd recramend for the 1st few weeks while u are gone to sue the crate?

And at night to use the crate also?

And i'm talkin about a 1yr old dog

[Puppylove01]

thanks