Sadly one of the pups from my golden only puppy class looks like he is going back to the breeder. He is 6 months old, crate trained, obedience trained, and has had some hunt training. The owner is just overwhelmed with having a puppy. She is not into exercise or the activity level of a young golden. All of her previous goldens were older rescues, this is her very first puppy. I think she really wants a couch potato dog that will hang out with her. Her goal was having a therapy dog she could take to the hospital and nursing homes.

Anyone else run I to this? I will see her and the pup at our puppy class on Saturday. My theory is that she should give the pup up now instead of dragging it out and making it more painful for herself. I'm looking for advice from anyone that has gotten a pup back or who has given a pup up. I want to say the right thing to this person and not upset her, but encourage her to give up the pup.

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Lucy 2012
Hunter my rescue boy 2006?
Reilly CGC 2007
Tiger 1999-2012
Pennie 2000-2007

As the puppy gets older, he will settle down a lot. Maybe the owner just needs some patience to allow her dog to mature a little. Why encourage her to give her dog up? The first few months are always the most difficult with any puppy.

Our Max is a far different dog today at 2 1/2 years old than he was as a puppy.

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Dave

Aww that's too bad for the puppy! We've had bumpy patches with Bentley but I would never give him up. Plus, now that he's over 5 months old we seem to have developed a rhythm and I know whatever lies ahead we will be able to handle it.
I hope the breeder can find it a good home, it's not the puppies fault.

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He's a typical puppy with energy to burn. Her problem is, she doesn't exercise him enough. She feels he is unmanageable when he is out of his crate. I've been around him and he's a great dog, he just needs more time getting out. It's just not a good fit for her lifestyle. I've been encouraging her to be patient.

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Lucy 2012
Hunter my rescue boy 2006?
Reilly CGC 2007
Tiger 1999-2012
Pennie 2000-2007

I can imagine how much energy he has, if I miss just one of Bentleys walks he's looking for any trouble he can get into. He turns into my wild child!

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I agree with Max's Dad. Did the owner ask you for advice/express to you that she is thinking about returning the puppy?

I am not sure what kind of relationship you have with the owner, but my best friend re-homed her puppy. Before she did it, she came to me for advice. I honestly told her I thought it would be in the puppy's best interest if she re-homed him (for reasons I will not go into). But, like I said, she is my best friend and she comes to me for advice because she knows I will be 100% honest with her. Plus, she already knew in her heart the right thing to do.

If the owner of the pup truly knows what is best for him, she will (hopefully) make the right decision without any encouragement.

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Our puppy group has worked to help her with her pup. She has told me she is thinking about it. She is having lunch with our trainer tomorrow to discuss options. Our trainer is a long time owner-breeder-trainer of goldens. The trainer has great insight into the breed. Our breeder will be in town next Friday, I'm sure a conversation will happen then. I am sad for the breeder and the owner.

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Lucy 2012
Hunter my rescue boy 2006?
Reilly CGC 2007
Tiger 1999-2012
Pennie 2000-2007

Sounds like a difficult and sad situation. Goldens are such wonderful dogs, I hate to see a person give one up, when all she needs to do is invest a little more time to get the puppy some exercise.

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Dave

If the owner is not invested in exercising the dog (which is a shame) there are alternatives. Hire a dog walker. Send the pup to doggie day care. Schedule play dates with neighbor or friend's pups, etc. If she doesn't want to leave her couch then I find fetch to an exhilarating exercise plus training opportunity. Oh and the bond we build!

You can even tell her about the forum. We're very supportive and encouraging. Sometimes all you need to do is vent.

I don't think you should suggest returning the dog. You can offer her your ear and shoulder, but unless you know this person deeply, I personally would keep my opinions to myself. It's a subject with too much emotion and pressure to open on someone you don't know deeply or well.


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On another note, a Goldens only obedience class sounds very cool.

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Dave