Golden Retriever: retrieve games build cooperation when starts, releases and rest are part of the routine.
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Golden Retriever: retrieve games build cooperation when starts, releases and rest are part of the routine.
Breed profile
Training group
Gundogs and retrievers
Origin
The Golden Retriever originated in Scotland as a retrieving dog.
Shoulder height
51–61 cm
Weight
25–34 kg
Coat
Long double coat
Coat care
Build calm, cooperative acceptance of brushing, combing and dryer sound and airflow from puppyhood; split each handling task into small voluntary steps.
Drive keywords
Retrieving · Pleasing people · Social contact
Handling practice
Condition calm, voluntary brushing and combing of the long double coat by working in small sections and releasing the puppy before tension or avoidance appears. · Introduce dryer sound, airflow and whole-body handling as separate easy steps, alongside cooperative paw and nail handling.
General Australian reference range only; individual dogs vary considerably.
05
Development has a clock
The 8–16 week window
Between eight and sixteen weeks, the puppy is learning what is safe, ordinary and worth avoiding.
You cannot pause this developmental period. The goal is not maximum exposure; it is carefully controlled experience at an intensity the puppy can process.
Development timeline
0–3 weeksNeonatal period
Basic sensory and physical development.
3–8 weeksDog-to-dog socialisation
Early dog-to-dog learning begins with littermates and stable adult dogs and continues after the puppy goes home.
8–16 weeksHuman and environmental socialisation sensitive period
Build calm, positive or neutral associations with ordinary life.
About 8–11 weeksFirst fear period
One intense fright can create a durable fear memory.
4–6 monthsTeething
Chewing needs increase as adult teeth replace puppy teeth.
6–12 monthsAdolescence
Expect a second fear period and a temporary “selective hearing” phase.
Sleep requirement
18–20 hours every day at eight weeks
Sleep loss often intensifies frantic biting, zooming and difficulty settling. Use scheduled, protected naps; see Chapters 7 and 19.
Attention span
2–3 minutes, 4–6 times a day
Several tiny successful sessions teach more than one exhausted 30-minute session.
Training with FluffyWA
Day school, board & train and private sessions are quoted after a chat, and boarding or daycare can be booked online with live prices.
