A smooth, soft, lustrous and warm bunch of pure silk threads; that's how a cute little Golden Retriever pup feels when you take it in your arms.
But silk threads entangle quite easily and likewise a Golden can develop behavioural and health complications easily, if proper care and training is not provided.
A puppy is just like a small baby.
It will need nothing less than a heavy down pour of your love, care and patience; but definitely not without the planned, regular and careful thunders of strict training followed by a disciplined schedule.
An occasional streak of lightning might also be required if your pup is the kind who would just not obey.
To start with food, feeding Golden Retrievers puppies requires special care and attention.
This is a breed that loves to put on, but a few extra pounds can ruin your dog's health.
So be strict about the food from the beginning.
You should always be able to feel its ribs when you rub its sides.
When you bring a Golden pup home, feed him the same brand of food that the breeder had been using and in same proportion.
For the initial few weeks, you should provide moistened food for easy chewing.
It's recommended that a pup is fed thrice daily.
A breakfast, lunch and dinner schedule should be followed.
In the morning, provide food after taking your puppy out for emptying its bowels.
After breakfast, take it out again.
Remember, a pup's bowel movements take time to set into a routine and it can't 'hold'.
You will need to take it out after every meal.
It's advisable to provide the pup with dinner at least two hours before you go to bed.
This would give you time to take it out again on a bowel-emptying trip so that it can hold through the night.
Time for the afternoon meal should be arranged mid-way between breakfast and dinner.
Switch to feeding twice daily, when the pup reaches 12 weeks of age.
The amount of food should not be reduced while switching from thrice to twice daily schedule.
Divide the total amount of food that you had been giving in three meals, into two equal proportions.
Don't let your pup stick to the food.
Take the food bowl away after 20-25 minutes even if it's not empty.
The amount of food to be given each time would depend on the pup's appetite.
However, with the growing age, you should increase the amount of food gradually until you reach a level that is sufficient for a grown up Golden.
You should increase the amount when your pup starts finishing everything that is provided to it, completely.
Increase only up to 1/4th of a cup at a time.
A Golden is a power house of energy.
It can go on playing and jumping around the house for as long as you allow.
And the same holds true for a little pup as well.
It sleeps often times a day.
But when it is not sleeping, it will make sure that you are on your toes..
..
up and after it.
The more active your Golden remains the better.
But you should provide disciplined training in order to keep it in control.
Draw strict lines for the pup regarding what it can do and what it can't.
Goldens are quite intelligent and they love to please.
Your pup will learn easily if you reward it for obedience and show your dislike if it goes otherwise.
Begin with making it understand and follow simple commands like 'sit', 'stay', 'no', 'come', 'heel', etc.
Do not change the set of commands and provide training in small 10-15 minutes sessions, 2-3 times daily.
Provide proper food and training and your days with your Golden will surely pass as silk slips through hands.