Although Golden Retrievers are renown for their kind, friendly and biddable nature my personal view is that owning a well behaved dog is still extremely important for day to day family life, and therefore Golden Retrievers, like any other dog, should be socialised and trained.

All of our dogs have their own unique 'personality' which is why the dogs spend time on their own with me, as well as in a group.  For me "one to one" time with each of the dogs is very important as it meets their individual needs and allows them to participate in specific activities which they enjoy, and enables them to expand their natural talents, such as retrieving. 

If the golden retriever is your chosen breed then we strongly recommend that you consider carefully whether you are suited to owning a large and active dog.   We also recommend that you enrol your puppy/dog at socialisation/training classes and progress on to obedience classes.   There are links to the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme below.

Below:  Wiggy enjoying "one to one" on the field with me.

      

   

Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Awards

Bodie passed his Kennel Club Puppy Foundation Award after five classes, aged 15 weeks.  Bodie passed his Bronze test on 15th July, despite missing five weeks classes due to the puppies arrival.  He also took the Silver test for practice and the only "not ready" was the two minute down stay as he changed position from a down to a sit - so he will be going back to perfect this in the Autumn. 

 

Amber, our eldest Golden, has passed her Bronze. 

Summer has passed her Bronze (after five classes). 

Isis has passed her Bronze and Silver and Gold. 

Libby has passed her Bronze and Silver and is now training towards Gold.

Aasha has passed her Kennel Club Puppy Foundation Award on 18th November after five classes, and with a gap between the last class and assessment due to Summer's puppies arriving.  We heard recently that her half-brother (a Jokea son) had recently passed his Gold Award.  She passed her Bronze and is now training towards Silver

Yaala has recently started classes and really enjoys clicker training.

We tend to rotate the dogs attendance at training classes so that they each take turns at training towards their next goal.

Our dogs currently attend training classes in Hunstanton and Clenchwarton

run by Sam Grove of Two Legs Four Legs

 

 

Click on Gromit to find out more:

Below are links giving information on each Award:

Kennel Club Puppy Foundation

Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze Award

Kennel Club Good Citizen Silver Award

Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold Award

 

 

 

Above:  Benson (Kendaamber One Good Reason  -  (Sh Ch Shardanell Castaspell x Summeramba Carbonara), aged 15 weeks, thoroughly enjoyed retrieving a dummy while on his first holiday in the New Forest in August 2007.

Below:  Benson (far left) also enjoyed running free with the other dogs and soon learnt to sit and wait patiently.

Below:  Benson training for his KC Good Citizen Bronze

Walking past other dogs........

Ignoring dogs which walk past.......

Being groomed.........

Having feet checked.......

Walking through cones.........

Walking to heel.........

Lying down.........

Sitting.......

Down, stay........

Recall.......

Playtime......

Watching a friend play with a ball.......

 

2nd March 2008

The dogs enjoying a walk in the Spring sunshine.

While out walking the dogs walk on lead to heel, off lead to heel and when safe to do so (and with permission) are allowed free run.  When cars come they have been trained to sit and wait until they are given permission to move again.  It is a perfect time for recall 'games' and general obedience and makes the walk far more interesting for everyone, including the dogs and involves the whole family.

 

Food Manners

All the dogs have their own food bowls but on occasions they share - here are Yaala and Aasha sharing breakfast.  We like our dogs to have good food manners with each other as well as us!