Hi there! I just purchased my first Golden (I had 2 as a kid) and couldn't be more excited. He is a sweet boy with a quirky personality and the cutest face. We just brought him home today and he's already responding to his name (Ajax) every so often and seems to understand what "potty" is. He seems very intelligent.

I do, however, have some questions. He seems a little on the small side (slightly smaller than his brother) and I was wondering if there is a direct correlation between puppy size and adult size.

Also, Ajax has been whining a lot over one toy in particular. It is quite cute, but I'm wondering if this whining will persist (he will grab the toy and it seems like he's trying to hide it from us as he whines). If whining isn't completely normal behavior, is there a good way I can correct this before it becomes ingrained in his personality?

Finally, I ordered a crate in the mail thinking it would arrive by the time I picked Ajax up, however, it won't arrive until Saturday. Will this be an issue if I begin training a few days after bringing him home?

Thank you all very much in advance and I'm ecstatic to be apart of this Golden-loving community!

EDIT:
One last question: Ajax doesn't respond well to treats when it comes to training. He was reluctant to even eat at first but after adding a little water he was able to finish his serving. I'm wondering if the reason he isn't enjoying the treats currently is just a case of home-sickness/stress?

Welcome to the forum. I would give him time to adjust to his new home. Do not know about crates. As far as size of puppy goes, I can tell you Max was a big puppy and grew to be a big Golden. But, I think size will depend more on genetics. Would like to see photos of Ajax when you get a chance.

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Dave

Georgia was suspicious of treats to start and reluctant to eat them. that didn't last too long! After a couple weeks she was a treat monger!

Welcome to the forum and the loving, sweet hell that is a Golden Retriever puppy.

I can tell you that a small puppy can mean a small dog, as I have one like that. On the other hand, the amount of food affects the rate of growth, so that might have something to do with it. And, of course, some puppies just grow at a different rate. Slow growth is good for Golden puppies; it helps avoid some nasty health problems and does not affect their final size. I don't know which it is with Ajax. Are you monitoring his weight gain? Between 8 and 12 weeks he should add about 6 lbs., which translates to about 1.5 lbs. per week. If he's growing at that rate, he's doing fine.

The whining is probably normal. I wouldn't worry about it. And beginning crate training a few days later is no problem, at all. I wouldn't worry about any of that. As for the treats, give your pup some time to become acclimated. It may be the newness of his situation, or maybe he just doesn't like those particular treats.

Congrats on getting Ajax! I hope we get to see some pics!

Hi and welcome =]. Chester didn't like treats either when we first got them. He would never eat them. After a week he actually started opening up and eating treats. Give him some time he will open up more he's just trying to learn his surroundings right now.

Good luck =] and can't wait to see pictures of your boy


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Thank you all very much for your help! Ajax ate his full breakfast today; a little late, mind you, but I was glad to see that. He has been amazing with going potty so far. He only woke up at 3 and 7 this morning which was good, I thought. We haven't made a ton of progress with "Come", but he recognizes his name better every time.

I'm excited to have another useful resource in my quest to raise an amazing puppy! Here is a picture of him on his first day home.

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Awwww! What a cutie pie! But, but...he's lying on the wall! And he has apparently chewed the paint! Honey, that's a weird dog.

He is quite a weird-o! In a good way of course .

Hank was always smaller than his brother as a puppy. Now that they're grown, Hank is taller and more muscular. His brother is shorter and heavier.

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**Fraulein "Maggie" Louise 8/2/95 - 7/20/09**
*At Rainbow Bridge but Forever in Our Hearts*

Cute pup! If you don't have crate, go to nearest pet store and get an exercise pen. Best money you'll spend for a puppy. Since its been a while since you had a puppy, have you lined up some training for him? You can start him very soon if he's only with puppies. There's a good book available for free dowload on the Internet if you're interested: Free Downloads | Dog Star Daily

Hope you are having fun with your little one.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.