Feeding
Most dogs should be fed twice daily, especially young growing dogs or those that are very underweight. Always leave fresh water for the dog.
Table scraps are not necessary and are discouraged, as variations in diet can be hazardous to their GI tract. Never give your dog cooked bones as these can crack, be swallowed, and become lodged in the throat or digestive tract.
Always feed a high quality brand of dog food. Remember the breeders' saying "What goes in shows on the outside". A healthy diet leads to a healthy dog. Most pet stores carry various name brand dog foods which, of course, cost more than most of the foods you can buy at the grocery store. However, the money saved in veterinary bills due to a healthy dog more than make up for the small increased price in the food. Ask your veterinarian what she/he recommends. Some foods carried at vets are also at pet stores.
Toys
Most people go crazy and spend too much money on new dog toys when they first take the dog home. Your Golden will definitely need toys that are his own so he will have things to chew on and carry around the house. Buy quality toys that don’t have small parts that might break off and lodge in the dogs’ throat or digestive tract. Never give your dog a toy to play with that could be easily swallowed (e.g. a tiny latex toy, ping pong ball, socks, etc.) You would be amazed at what a dog can swallow! Dogs should always be supervised when playing with toys.
Rawhide/Chew Bones
Goldens love to carry items in their mouths and often continue to chew through adolescence. Dogs in a new environment must be shown what they are allowed to chew on or they will chew on whatever suits them (table legs are delicious!). Rawhide chew bones are allowable, but the dog must be supervised while chewing them. Nylabones and Gummabones are somewhat indestructible, just be sure to buy the larger sizes. Watch out for cow hoofs - they break molars.
Grooming
Goldens have a “self-cleaning” coat so any dirt picked up while playing out in the yard will fall off as your dog sleeps in the house!
1.
You’ll need to brush the coat weekly if your dog has long feathering on the legs and tail to keep mats (tangled hair) from forming. A pin brush with plastic covering on the ends of the pins will be good for this purpose.
3.
If you dog is prone to have a lot of hair around and between the toes, you can cut this out using a sharp shear on a regular basis. Trimming will reduce the amount of mud tracked into the house.
4.
Toenails should be kept short and clipped often. Be careful if clipping to not cut the “quick” or the toenail will bleed.
5.
Goldens have been known to have very dirty ears, so check them weekly for signs of dirt or wax build-up. A smelly ear can mean an infection is present. If the dog keeps shaking his head for no reason, look inside the ears for any infection.
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