Adopting an Older Golden Retriever

Pictured here is "Emma" our neighbour's dog who stopped by on one of her daily walks to let us see her boots which are used to protect her feet from the extreme cold of a northern winter.

If you would love to own a Golden Retriever but aren’t ready to go through the problems associated with getting a puppy, you should look into adopting a mature Golden. Older Golden Retrievers prove to be great in homes where they are allowed to spend a quality amount of time by themselves. Golden Retrievers are a very adjustable breed, because they are mild tempered. No matter how old the Golden may be, she will quickly become a valued member of your family in little to no time at all.

Many times, breeders will have older dogs for sale. There are several reasons for this, which include show dogs that have lost their potential, studs that have been used for breeding and are now ready for retirement, female Golden’s that have been bred a few times then retired, or where a breeder is helping a friend get rid of his or her Golden Retriever. There are other reasons as well and whatever they may be, the adult Golden Retriever will be available for anyone who wants her or him.

Older Golden Retrievers are already housebroken and know how to adapt to many situations, which will allow them to adapt to a new and loving family. Although it will be a little hard on your new pet at first, if you give her plenty of love, attention and patience, she’ll be just fine. You need to keep reassuring your new Golden on a regular basis because she has just gone through the trauma of moving from familiar surroundings into strange ones. Let her know that you are her new owner and that you love her and you are glad she’s a member of your family.

If you have been thinking of adopting an older Golden Retriever, you should make sure that you learn everything you can about her. You should also determine her temperament and whether or not it’s compatible with your family’s lifestyle. You should also learn other important things as well, such as her diet, likes, dislikes, daily routine and her habits. Before you decide to take her, you should always make sure that the members of your family meet her as well, so you can talk it over and decide whether everyone wants the dog to become a member of your family.

With an older dog, you need to provide a lot of attention for the first few days and let her know where everything in your home is located. You’ll need to show her where she sleeps, where she should go to the bathroom and where to eat her food. Take your time and be patient with her, as it will normally take her a few days to learn how things in your home work. A friend who lives down the street has a Golden that he got from a family member who lives is a different part of the country. He takes her for several daily walks and spends a lot of time with her. She just adores him, because he meets all of her needs. He fusses over her and walks her to ensure that she gets the exercise she needs to remain healthy. When he goes out in the car, he ensures that she accompanies him. As a result of the interaction, the needs of the pet and the owner are met, which benefits them both.

You should always give your new Golden Retriever at least a month or so to get used to her new environment, before you start her new obedience training. Even though your new dog may have some prior obedience training, you should still enrol her in a new class. This way, she can brush up on training and you can work with her to help her understand your commands. Once you have finished training, she’ll understand your commands better and both of you will get along just fine.

All Golden Retrievers, regardless of their age, love attention. One thing that you may have to take into account when considering an older Golden is that she may have medical problems. You shouldn’t let this stop you from getting an older Golden Retriever though, because the rewards that you’ll get will be far greater than any cons. Although many people don’t give a lot of thought to getting an older Golden Retriever, they are perfect for families who don’t want to take the time and trouble of raising a puppy, which can certainly be onerous at times.

Until next time,

Teia