Best forum/board & favorite brands for new dog owners?

[Joss]

Hi - we're getting ready to welcome a golden retriever puppy next week. I've been a member of the golden retriever forum, which is fine, but I'm wondering whether there might be a better spot to ask for owners' knowledge for non-breed specific questions.

Also, interested in knowing your favorite brands for dog treats, toys, and products. Especially interested in knowing brands with a quality focus. That can mean made in USA, Canada, Europe, etc, in particular for treats.

Thank you!

 

[dano]

Brands: K9Tactical Gear for leashes and collars. Big fan of Kong's, Starmark ball-on-a-rope toys. Treatos: I like Zuke treats, and really anything U.S. sourced proteins, and not a lot of sugar (dogs do not need sugar). Longer term, i'd suggest a food dehydrator, and make your own dehydrated: chicken breasts, sweet potato, etc.

Food: I'm a HUGE proponent of raw feeding, but it can be tough to do correctly. Honest Kitchen brand makes a dehydrated food that is really good. For kibble, I like Victor, or Orijen (but Orijen is pretty famous for giving puppies the runs...).

I'm more from the harder working dog side of things...Golden's are great dogs, and are one of my favorites...

 

[Win Heger]

I really don't think dogs are that fussy about toys, my Doodle has way too many and she jumps from one to another. For treats we keep these for training and when other dogs visit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079QPKL1J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These dog biscuits were recommended by a friend in the business, we've used them with three dogs and they seem to love them. I just keep the small size, my dog is 34 lbs, you may want to start there and move up to larger.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017OHKLU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

There are so many dog foods available it can make you dizzy. We stayed with what the breeder was using but at 1 year our pup had become picky. We switched to what a friend recommended and she is eating pretty good. We do supplement with either chicken or ground beef. Vet says she's very healthy and she is athletic.

I can't help with on line forums, I tried with my Border Collie but the folks were brutal if you didn't do what they suggested. I do follow Borderdoodles on FB and those folks can be very helpful, not at all critical. Try to find a good book on Goldens but I imagine they're like most puppies. My daughter has two Goldens and just loves the breed, you picked a winner.

Bob and Bee at play:

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Congratulations on the little one.....

Should be a friendly, and loyal breed.

My best advice is

1. Exercise
2. Exercise
3. Exercise
4. Vet check up early (worms/etc)
5. Once of acceptable age. I think 5 months or so.... DOG PARK.
You will meet good people, acts as a support group. I miss it. I went almost everyday for the first 4 years.
6. Watch the show The Dog Whisper. Caesar Milian is awesome!!!


No such thing as bad dogs, Just bad dog owners.

Elk antlers last long, break down gently. Deer, not so much. Splinters.
Cow leg bones. Buffalo horns.
Kongs.

Eagle pack, I think is what we use for food.
Don't cheap out!


Have Fun.

 

[kreole]

I like the "knots" Kong dog toys. They have rope inside instead of stuffing, so even if they get ripped apart, there's no cotton stuffing for them to eat. They're also the only soft toys I haven't had come apart though...

For treats we do the solimo (Amazon house brand) duck wrapped sweet potato. My dog is pretty picky with treats but loves those. They can also be cut up smaller, which is useful when you're training so as not to give too much.

Not what you asked but a friend of mine who does training and bite competitions recommended the Leerberg videos for training. The "8 weeks to 8 months" one was helpful when I got my eight week year old, and teaching "look" (as in, focus and put your attention on me) as the first command and as the base of all future commands is a great tip. If interested in that or some other videos shoot me a message.

 

[Houlahound]

Stay away from dog parks forever - just don't take any dog there.

Raw feeding is incredibly difficult to get right and requires a lot of effort. If you are kinda scientific and have the time and money feed raw after lots to of research.

Toys alone are useless and counterproductive, the key point is the interaction between you and your dog using a toy. Cheap toys are extremely dangerous as they have toxins in them and fall apart and can choke your dog. You only need a good tug you and a ball like a spherical kong. Don't get misshapen Kong's as the change of direction when they hit the ground can create injuries in a you g dog that will come back later on.

Being loose in the yard is not fun, neither is pointless running and long boring walks. What tires a dog out is mental stimulation like tracking training, scent work, agility training, motivational obedience.... literally hundreds of dog sports these days.

Buy Michael Ellis videos to watch.

 

[Houlahound]

Brands: K9Tactical Gear for leashes and collars. Big fan of Kong's, Starmark ball-on-a-rope toys. Treatos: I like Zuke treats, and really anything U.S. sourced proteins, and not a lot of sugar (dogs do not need sugar). Longer term, i'd suggest a food dehydrator, and make your own dehydrated: chicken breasts, sweet potato, etc.

Food: I'm a HUGE proponent of raw feeding, but it can be tough to do correctly. Honest Kitchen brand makes a dehydrated food that is really good. For kibble, I like Victor, or Orijen (but Orijen is pretty famous for giving puppies the runs...).

I'm more from the harder working dog side of things...Golden's are great dogs, and are one of my favorites...

I can see you have had some experience with the working dog scene. What have you done?

 

[dano]

I can see you have had some experience with the working dog scene. What have you done?

Last dog was involved in PSA that did some personal protection. He was also involved in a study for human cancer detection via scent. But he passed from cancer last year. Current pup is an all East German GSD...Hoping for some IPO/IGP, or American Schutzhund, but havent sought out a club, yet. I also do some training and decoy work when i can...

 

[Houlahound]

Last dog was involved in PSA that did some personal protection. He was also involved in a study for human cancer detection via scent. But he passed from cancer last year. Current pup is an all East German GSD...Hoping for some IPO/IGP, or American Schutzhund, but havent sought out a club, yet. I also do some training and decoy work when i can...

Lol never thought I would be having this conversation on the BF.

My main dog is Czech and west German line bred on Gento who was one of the first if not the first gsd to title in both KNPV and schutzhund. I can't name another dog that has done that since but probs is some. He has been an absolute monster on the bite suit but now in old age he starting to fall over in the back end. All happening rather quick and not sure if anything can be done. Breaking me in two not being able to help. his mind is still the hyper driven monster but his hips are failing him and he is getting confused why he can't project his body where he wants.

 

[Joss]

Pictures of the pup are in order…