Ready for a Golden Retriever
You will want to be sure that you are ready to take on such a big commitment. There are a few questions you should ask yourself before you take the final leap and bring a new puppy home. Here they are: Are you prepared to invest the money, patience and time to train your puppy to be a loving companion? This will take lots of time; a puppy will not train himself.
Are you prepared to take for responsibility for the next 10 to 15 years for this dog? All animals have needs and you must be prepared to meet them. This is a chore that cannot be left to the children; you must be there to supervise. Are you prepared for the safety of your dog? This means keeping the dog safe at all times, no being chained outside, no running loose, and no riding in the back of an open pick-up.
Are you ready to make sure your Golden gets enough exercise and attention? Golden puppies require several hours of exercise and attention daily. Are you ready to live with drooling, retrieving, and shedding for the next 10 to 15 years?
Are you ready to spend the money for proper veterinary care? Vaccines are necessary and heartworm testing and prevention are tops on the list also. But do not forget annual check-ups, and spaying or neutering. It is very important to educate yourself about the proper care of the breed. There are many good books available on the Golden Retriever.
