- 20# bag of ProPlan Large Breed Puppy (current food) and an airtight, food approved storage container (NOT a Rubbermaid container). I recommend feeding a large breed or adult dog food to allow for slow growth and prevent bone and joint problems associated with rapid growth and obesity. With the introduction of so many “human grade,” “organic,” “holistic” foods to the pet market, ProPlan is a now considered a premium food (not super premium), and we wean puppies onto it only because it is easy to digest, the calcium to phosphorous ratio is correct and the quality control is unparalleled in the pet food industry. You may transition to one of the foods below when your puppy is six months old and has a more mature digestive system. These “holistic” and “whole” foods are simply too rich, acidic and hard to break down for younger puppies. Believe me, we’ve tried them, and the aftermath is not pretty! Of course, many top breeders and handlers feed ProPlan or Eukanuba to their champions and swear by them. However, if food sensitivities to corn/wheat/soy/beef become an issue with your dog (i.e. ear infections, scratching, hot spots, hair loss, etc.), then it will be necessary to switch to a super-premium food with less grain and fillers. We have fed and recommend the following:
- Blackwood (we feed our Rottweiler the catfish and potato formula with excellent
results)
- Natura Pet Food: Innova, California Natural, or Karma (95% organic)
- Fromm
- Evanger’s
- Solid Gold
- Flint River Ranch (may be hard to locate)
- Wellness
- Chicken Soup For The Pet Lover’s Soul
- Diamond Naturals (only at feed stores, Tractor Supply Co. and Pet Food Supermarket)
- Blue Buffalo (careful, can cause loose stool and gas)
- Eagle Pack (may be hard to locate)
The specific formulation you will need to choose within a certain product’s
line depends on the life stage and special needs of your puppy/dog. I will be
happy to help you choose the right food and formula given your dog’s needs
and your budget. More expensive is not always indicative of how well the food
will perform! Other foods not on this list may be appropriate for your puppy/dog,
but I encourage you to call and discuss them with me before trying them. Never
choose a food where a meat protein is not the first ingredient, any Hill’s
Science Diet product, or a food found at a grocery store (the exception is Purina
One in a pinch)
- Reduced calorie biscuits for training. If several people reside in the household
and train the puppy, you may consider rationing a day’s worth of biscuits
in plastic baggies to prevent overfeeding of treats, which easily leads to obesity.
Also, break them into small pieces instead of giving an entire biscuit or other
treat as a reward. Our guys (and the puppies) LOVE Blue Buffalo’s banana/yogurt
and apple/yogurt biscuits and sweet potato treats.
The following supplies are best purchased through catalogues or online at PetEdge
(http://www.petedge.com/ ) or Jeffers (http://www.jefferspet.com ). You can
buy much better quality items at half the price of lesser quality items at chain
stores. I prefer #1 All Systems brand for any grooming products such as brushes
and shampoos/conditioners:
- Stainless steel, non-tip, food and water bowls OR stainless steel bowls in
raised feeder (preferred method of feeding).
- Inexpensive collar and 6’ leash. When the puppy is 6-8 months, you should
buy a high quality leather buckle collar and leather leash for formal training
- Extra large crate for males; large crate for females. Wire (fold down) or
travel carriers are both fine. We prefer travel type as they create a den-like
environment where the puppy can escape for quiet time and are still available
for travel when needed. They can still see out the sides and front of the travel
carriers if they want to watch the household activity without taking part in
it (not often).
- Faux lamb’s wool for crate.
- Indestructible toys such as Kongs (brand name). Nylabones, natural sterilized/petrified
bones and extra hard rubber toys are also good choices. The ones you can hide
food in are great! Soft, squeaker toys are adored by goldens but should be played
with under strict supervision only! Kong toys are the only ones that should
be left in the crate.
- Medium hard slicker brush, pin brush, medium greyhound comb, scissor type
nail clippers (orange handles), styptic powder, and puppy shampoo.
- Books!
We recommend the following, and they can be found at the suppliers
listed above, online, or on ebay:
The New Golden Retriever by Marcia Schlehr (one of the foremost authorities
on the golden retriever)
The New Complete Golden Retriever by Gertrude Fischer copyright 1984. Hard to
find, but an excellent source for “old” influential goldens.
The World of the Golden Retriever by Nona Kilgore
The Ultimate Golden Retriever by Valerie Foss
How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog Owners by
The Monks of New Skete
How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford and David H. Neil
SIRIUS Puppy Training by Ian Dunbar
Mother Knows Best by Carol Lea Benjamin
- Videos!
DVGRR “Grooming Your Golden” https://www.dvgrr.org/store/goodies.html
A must have for all golden owners!
- Gifts and apparel!
Source Menagerie at www.source-m.com/
S.A. Designs (Susie Rezy) at http://www.shopsadesign.com/ (a bit pricey, but
very good quality)