*Vent*....

I just need to vent...

I've been talking to a friend of mine from school last year, and she's decided to get a puppy. It's her first dog--can you guess what breed she's getting? A Golden Retriever. Know why? Because she likes Daisy, and thinks they're cute. Goldens are great dogs, but I really, really don't think they're the best choice for a first time dog owner, esspecially if you haven't done any researching. I researched for months before I decided to go with a Golden...Anyway, she's getting the puppy next week from someone who is advertising them at her high school...who, I'm guessing is a BYB. :( She will be 3 months old then. She's asking me all sorts of questions, like "Where should the puppy sleep?"; and she also has no idea what spaying or neutering is. I'm giving her as much information on them as I possibly can, but I can't help but be upset about the whole thing. I've given information about the kind of dog food I feed, my vet's address and number, (She doesn't have one picked out yet..and since she's moving a few hours away from mine, it's not an option, so I'm searching for another one) what the puppy needs when you bring her home, information about spay/neutering...and the list goes on.

Maybe I'm just overeacting...but the fact that it's a Golden Retriever hits me a little hard, esspecially if I don't know if it will end up in the right home.
I'm talking to her as I type, so I'm off to help her some more.

Well, I can certainly understand your frustration. I'm going through the same thing with a friend too. To make matters worse, my friend really wants a minpin and she has small kids. (Don't worry, I'm working on her.)

But also, everyone was inexperienced at dog ownership one time or another in life. Just as parenting. I didn't have a freakin clue when I had my son, but it seemed to work out ok. lol. It isn't something that you learn through osmosis. You pretty much have to learn through experience. At least she is asking questions. That shows that she wants to do the right thing and be a knowledgeable owner. You gotta start somewhere!

Good luck in helping her out, I'm sure she'll need you.

I'm sorry, Jules. :(

Like Tonya said, at least she is seeking some help from you.

Unfortunately, all you can do now is offer your best advice and hope everything goes well.

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Originally posted by Tonya
At least she is asking questions. That shows that she wants to do the right thing and be a knowledgeable owner. You gotta start somewhere!

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That's probably the only thing I'm happy about...lol. But I wish she woud ask questions before she goes out and buys the dog.
I understand that we all start out somewhere, and unfortunatly, it's the dog who always ends up in the middle.

I certainly understand your concern about her lack of research and just making an impulse decision because she thinks Daisy is cute, but I actually kinda disagree that a golden isn't good for a first-time dog owner. I think they are actually one of the easier breeds because they very rarely have dominance or stubbornness issues, are easy to train and love to please. They don't require complicated grooming, tend to get along well with everyone, and are extremely adaptable.

That said, goldens are very popular, and sadly, that means a lot of backyard breeders, which means those goldens have a much higher likelihood of a myriad of health problems and the possiblity of behaviorism that is not typical for a golden at all. Also, NO dog is best for those who aren't really willing to research and find out about their needs and if their personality is one that fits their lifestyle!

For a first-time dog owner, I seriously believe reading up on breeds and their tendencies, and then finding a responsible, reputable breeder, is the best way to go. Rescues are of course wonderful... IF you know dogs and how to handle the various problems that can come with a rescue. Of course, things can still turn out fine with a BYB dog or a rescue, but it's more of a gamble, and if a totally inexperienced, new to dog behavior person gets one of these dogs that turns out to have atypical problem behavior or terrible health problems, they are going to have a bad experience and it could end up a disaster for both dog and family.

I know you know all of this, but just trying to throw out ideas that maybe you could talk to your friend about too. I really hope she will listen to you!

I'm not an idiot, but, I am just curious what makes a Golden Retriever not a good first dog?

Everyone has to start out as an inexperienced owner! :)

When we first got Cocoa I had no idea how to take care of a dog. (I was 13) In fact, we didn't even know what a Shih Tzu looked like when we went to pick her up from the family that was getting rid of her! We didn't know how to housetrain a dog, what a crate was, how much vet bills cost, nothing. But when Cocoa came home we started asking the vet questions, getting dog books from the library, ect. We became good responsible pet owners. :)

So don't worry about your friend, just help her out with all her questions, and she just might turn out to be a responsible pet owner too. :)

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Originally posted by K9soul
I certainly understand your concern about her lack of research and just making an impulse decision because she thinks Daisy is cute, but I actually kinda disagree that a golden isn't good for a first-time dog owner. I think they are actually one of the easier breeds because they very rarely have dominance or stubbornness issues, are easy to train and love to please. They don't require complicated grooming, tend to get along well with everyone, and are extremely adaptable.

That said, goldens are very popular, and sadly, that means a lot of backyard breeders, which means those goldens have a much higher likelihood of a myriad of health problems and the possiblity of behaviorism that is not typical for a golden at all. Also, NO dog is best for those who aren't really willing to research and find out about their needs and if their personality is one that fits their lifestyle!

For a first-time dog owner, I seriously believe reading up on breeds and their tendencies, and then finding a responsible, reputable breeder, is the best way to go. Rescues are of course wonderful... IF you know dogs and how to handle the various problems that can come with a rescue. Of course, things can still turn out fine with a BYB dog or a rescue, but it's more of a gamble, and if a totally inexperienced, new to dog behavior person gets one of these dogs that turns out to have atypical problem behavior or terrible health problems, they are going to have a bad experience and it could end up a disaster for both dog and family.

I know you know all of this, but just trying to throw out ideas that maybe you could talk to your friend about too. I really hope she will listen to you!

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i have to agree

I'm sure that with you offering her all the help she needs, everything will be fine!
Your a wonderful golden owner and I'm sure you'll always have the answers to all of her questions!!:D

I really don't know what to say...... I just hope the puppy doesn't get hurt, and that she listens to you, and that she learns from you! I really hope that she gets that new pup spayed/neutered., too. Good luck, Julie. Keep us updated!

Maybe I should have said "IMO".
I've found that Goldens go through very bad puppy stages; such as digging, chewing, and getting into things they aren't supposed too. Yes, I realize there are exceptions, and most puppy stages are like that, etc...but it's my opinion. Most people aren't willing to put with it, so guess where the pup ends up? They may be described as popular, the perfect dog, (which I don't beg to differ with. ;)) but they're not for everyone. She's honestly done NO research, so I'm even helping her with the basics.

*Sighs* I just hope I can do some good...

I know where the pup ends up- at your local shelter!!!
And hopefully it's a no-kill shelter (although there's a popular "no-kill" shelter in my area that can advertise that because if needed -illness, behaviour probs etc-, they bring the animal to the ARL to have it euthanized- that way they can call themselves "no kill") But anyway...off the topic...
Not all shelter dogs have behavior probs. In fact, from what i've gathered from talking to shelter workers, most dogs relequished to them are because "my partner has allergies", "my child has allergies", I have to move and my new landlord doesn't accept pets" (THAT'S a big one!)
Less are there for behaviour probs (but it may depend on the day your there!).
Some shelters have dogs from 9/11 and/or from Puerto Rico (? not sure- jan correct me on the country the US is trying to help with dog overpopulation!).

So far, every pup I have had have gone through those stages, though Willie was the only one I never had too much trouble with chewing on things. Cody was awful awful awful about chewing. Tommy is bad about chewing on rags and socks and things but never chewed on the furniture, whereas Tasha once chewed up one of our kitchen table chairs very badly and the table and chair set was brand new! She was around a year old at the time too... man makes me glad those days are past for her! hehe

Hopefully you'll be able to educate her about all that though. Puppies can be very destructive and just when you think they've grown out of it, they love to prove ya wrong! :D

Not to start anything, but I know A LOT of people that get goldens as their first dogs. How old is this girl? Do her parents know about this? Maybe her parents will help take care of the dog...

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Originally posted by BCBlondie
Not to start anything, but I know A LOT of people that get goldens as their first dogs. How old is this girl? Do her parents know about this? Maybe her parents will help take care of the dog...

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You're not staring anything. It's just my opinion.

Yep, her mom knows about it. She doesn't care as long as my friend takes care of the dog...