Hmmm...calm before the storm?

1482 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Oaklys Dad, Sep 29, 2009

Hoshi

Discussion Starter · Sep 28, 2009

:wavey: Hi! I'm new here and new to golden retrievers - and, really, puppies for that matter. I've had adult dogs before, but they were always fully grown and housebroken by the time they came to me.
Saturday morning, I picked up my 8wk old golden retriever. I had heard all these horror stories of how it takes months of cleaning up poo 4+ times a day before they're housebroken and how they can be absolute terrors.

And now I'm left wondering when all that is gonna start. I'm worried I'm counting my blessings TOO early!! lol

Since Saturday, there have only been 2 accidents - and the first one was more due to an upset tummy from dewormer, and the second time I caught her in the act as she tinkled a tiny bit. When we went to classes at 9am, she was alone till 2pm - no accident, nothing chewed! My roommate and I take her out quite often and she's very well behaved on the leash. She likes to walk next to me instead of in front, and doesn't pull. If she feels even the slightest nudge on her leash, she comes back to sit at my feet.

I've not had any issues with her chewing on something she shouldn't - if I see he start to, I just say "no!", and after, at most, one more correction, she leaves it alone.

She gets along great with my two ferrets and doesn't get too rough. I don't have to crate her at night, she sleeps next to me on the bed and doesn't whine. She loves to play, but loves to be held and just lay her head in your lap...or just being near a person. She's just all around well-behaved... yet before me bringing her home, she had never even been inside a house. She lived in a barn with her mother and littermates. She wasn't housetrained, had never been on a leash, or anything else.

Are they always this way at the begining, then turn into a holy terror? Or did I get really lucky?
Oh how I hope this continues! :crossfing

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Florabora22

· #2 · Sep 28, 2009

In my single experience, Flora was really, really quiet in the beginning (save for when she was in a crate.) She spent most of her day sleeping and I didn't really have to do much with her. She was probably more around 3-4 months before she started getting a little more feisty, but I would still never say that she was a "holy terror!" You may just have a very calm puppy.

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mdoats

· #3 · Sep 28, 2009

I'm going to vote for calm before the storm. Rookie took a couple of weeks to settle into his new home before he started to show his real personality. And the chewing will DEFINITELY come at some point!!

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esSJay

· #4 · Sep 28, 2009

Sounds like you have a great little puppy! Now you need to share pictures with us

Molson was really calm and reserved when we brought him home at about 3.5 months. Around 5 months he started nipping and getting really hyper, and needing lots of exercise. He wasn't fully housebroken until about 6.5 months, but the funny thing is he would hold it all day while we were at work (8+hours), but when we were home he would have accidents in the house. We are still waiting for the chewing phase to start (if it does), but he has been almost the perfect puppy so far! I think we may have lucked out too

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LuckyPup

· #5 · Sep 28, 2009

Hello and welcome! Do you have any pics of your new bundle of joy?

I would guess calm before the storm. In my past experience (which is very limited compared to many in here) they are always great in a new home. A couple weeks go by and that is when some fun begins! Nothing terrible though!

Sounds like you have an awesome pup! Congrats!

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Hoshi

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 28, 2009

Since there's a couple requests...

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LuckyPup

· #7 · Sep 28, 2009

What a doll! Thanks for sharing the picture!

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Oaklys Dad

· #8 · Sep 28, 2009

Welcome to the forum. Your baby girl is gorgeous. It does sound like she is doing very well. I would suggest you get her a crate and get her used to it in short spells so you are ready if she does start getting into things or the potty training takes a step backwards. It is easier to crate train a very young pup than an older dog with more barking stamina...if you know what I mean. Anyway best of luck to you and hope you continue to post lots of pictures of your girl growing up.

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Trids

· #9 · Sep 28, 2009

I'm in 100% agreement here! Max was never really calm and never quiet, but after the first week, he got louder and more active. The first few days were his "honeymoon" period.

Also, I second the advice of getting a crate, IMHO, you're going to need one. Even if she is a well behaved angel, there will be times when you need to keep her safe and prevent her from chewing or swallowing something that can harm her. Crate training is also of benefit when they need to go to the groomer, the vet or travel. If she's already comfortable in one, it will be less traumatic for her. (Just me ¢2.)

Congrats, she's gorgeous! Good luck & please keep the pix coming!
-Trids

mdoats said:
I'm going to vote for calm before the storm. Rookie took a couple of weeks to settle into his new home before he started to show his real personality. And the chewing will DEFINITELY come at some point!!

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hotel4dogs

· #10 · Sep 28, 2009

welcome and thanks for the photo! What a cute puppy!
I think it depends on the puppy. My Tito Monster came home an easy puppy, stayed an easy puppy, and grew into an easy dog.
My Tiny girl, on the other hand....yikes!!!

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Dreammom

· #11 · Sep 28, 2009

She is beautiful!!!!

Layla was a sweet quiet little peanut the first few days. When we took her in for her Vet check on Monday afternoon (we got her on Friday), she showed her true colors when she got home LOL... the worst case of zoomies I have ever seen. She is 10 months old and has not stopped. She is keeping hubby and I young....

Aiyana was calm from day one, just a snuggle bunny at all times. Some times I think Layla is a mix even though she is AKC registered... I swear she is part Border Collie LOL.

Good luck, you may need it hahaha.

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Hoshi

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 28, 2009

I picked an odd puppy... she seems to like putting her face in my old ratty shoes. She doesn't chew...just puts her face in them... :uhoh:

I'm a bit worried she's too clingy, but maybe it's because she's not used to being by herself. She always wants to be near me and prefers to sleep on me, touching me, or within arms reach of me.

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Oaklys Dad

· #13 · Sep 29, 2009

Hoshi said:
I picked an odd puppy... she seems to like putting her face in my old ratty shoes. She doesn't chew...just puts her face in them... :uhoh:

I'm a bit worried she's too clingy, but maybe it's because she's not used to being by herself. She always wants to be near me and prefers to sleep on me, touching me, or within arms reach of me.

Goldens love to be by their people and love the smell of them too. Shoes, underwear and socks are golden favorites. :doh: Enjoy every second of puppyhood.

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