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Golden Retrievers/Questions Answered by Expert Christine (Chris) Vassonei, APDT

SubjectDate Asked
Golden retriever3/30/2010
  Q: My mom and I would really like to have a golden retriever and we know that we are never going to ...
  A: Again, as I said, it depends a LOT on the energy level of the dog. If you have a dog that's very ...
Training3/29/2010
  Q: I have a 13 month old female golden. We have attended two different dog training classes. I need and ...
  A: Try these suggestions: http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/Behavior/Handouts/Recall.pdf ...
Golden retriever3/28/2010
  Q: My mom and I would really like to have a golden retriever and we know that we are never going to ...
  A: Julia, I don't think it would be impossible to have a golden retriever while living in an ...
new golden retriever puppy owner..3/15/2010
  Q: I recently puchased an AKC GR pup, expecting his temperament to be as his breed's standards say. ...
  A: I agree with you, to some extent. I believe for his age that he should be more active than what you ...
Wet discharge3/7/2010
  Q: Jenny has come to our house 10 days back. she is very temperamental. is this normal? the breeder ...
  A: Maya, I'm sorry, but as I state on my profile, I do not have any medical background. That being ...
Puppy Class Aggression1/21/2010
  Q: I am a little nervous about my 10 week old male golden retriever. He is very loving of new people ...
  A: I suggest you read the following article. It is a bit long, but it addresses exactly what has ...
Puppy Diarrhea1/20/2010
  Q: Our puppy has had diarrha during the night for the past 3 weeks or so. She is 18 weeks old. The ...
  A: I wish I could be more help, but I don't have any medical background. What time are you feeding her ...
Sleeping through the night1/19/2010
  Q: we have a nearly 10 week old male golden retriever. He wakes up 2 - 3 times a night crying. We ...
  A: You may want to have a few "crate only" toys that you give him when he goes back in. ...
Golden Retriever11/24/2009
  Q: I am writing to inquire about my female Golden Retriever who is 17 months old. She is an absolute ...
  A: Here are some documents that I'd like for you to read. I think you should find some useful ...
Wanting another Golden11/22/2009
  Q: we currently have a 4-month old male golden (Baxter). We would like to get another Golden in the ...
  A: I don't feel Baxter's age has as much to do with waiting as does whether he's housebroken, past the ...
Proplan amount11/21/2009
  Q: I have a five months old female golden retriever, and i would love you to help me about the amount ...
  A: Marta, Here is the United States, we do not often use the metric system. However, usually the dog ...
Golden Retriever Licking11/18/2009
  Q: We have a 4 year old Golden Retriever. We got her at about 4 months and she is full blooded and AKC ...
  A: You could try using something like Bitter Apple; the taste of that often deters dogs. Or you could ...
guard dog training11/17/2009
  Q: i have a 7 month old golden retriever female that i would like to put in guard dog school. would her ...
  A: Some dogs are just naturally more timid than others; she may have been the shyest one in her litter. ...
guard dog training11/17/2009
  Q: i have a 7 month old golden retriever female that i would like to put in guard dog school. would her ...
  A: Crystal, No, generally speaking, golden retrievers do not make good guard dogs because, as you ...
4month year old puppy11/14/2009
  Q: I have two questions really... 1. If 4 months to young to keep him outside while we are at work ...
  A: Christine, My personal experience is that dogs are much happier being kept inside as family pets ...
7 month old golden retriever11/4/2009
  Q: I've had my male golden since he was 8 weeks old. He is 7 months today, nov. 4. He has chased his ...
  A: You know, I haven't had anyone ask me a question like this before. I did a search for "dog chasing ...
my dog is growling10/26/2009
  Q: My 4 year old golden retriever is a very good dog. Lately she growls when anyone but typically my 13 ...
  A: You may want to be sure nothing is hurting her by having your vet check her out. It's pretty ...
Golden retriever that eats changing pads10/24/2009
  Q: Why does my 7 year old golden retriever eat my 6 month old's cloth changing pads and birp cloths? ...
  A: Ashleigh, I seriously doubt that you need to be concerned about your daughter's safety because of ...
weight10/19/2009
  Q: i have a golden puppy who is 10 months old on the 28th of this month he weighs 56.2 lbs is this ...
  A: A lot depends on the size and weight of his parents, but generally speaking, it sounds like his ...
agressive behavior in a golden9/19/2009
  Q: i have a 3 yr male (not fixed) golden. He is generally a very happy friendly dog. However, he ...
  A: Carolyn, Your question was: What can I do to stop this unwanted behavior? Neutering is always a ...
Off the lead9/9/2009
  Q: I have a 7 month old male (desexed) Golden Retriever. Overall, he is well behaved and learning every ...
  A: It's my feeling that before a person allows their dog off-lead anywhere other than a fenced in ara, ...
Where should puppy sleep?8/31/2009
  Q: One week ago we got a golden retriever female puppy. She is just over 2 1/2 months old. Since we got ...
  A: I would definitely recommend against having the dog sleep outside, regardless of the weather. ...
Golden Retriever Biting8/2/2009
  Q: My family adopted a Golden Retriever pup exactly 3 weeks ago and everything has been going splendid ...
  A: I think if calling in a trainer will give you guidance and comfort, then the puppy is certainly not ...
7 month golden retriever does not want to eat her food.7/22/2009
  Q: I have a 7- month old female golden retriever. Her name is Tina. Besides Tina I have 3 other dogs. ...
  A: I'm a little unclear about something - are all the dogs on the same food, or are they eating ...
diet7/13/2009
  Q: my golden retreiver is 9 weeks old, he does not like top eat dry puppy food , I tried to give it in ...
  A: Home cooked food is fine, but you may want to give a canine vitamin supplement. Dogs have different ...
Golden Retriever Puppy7/7/2009
  Q: We have a 7 week golden pup. We are crate training her. She does not sleep for longer than 1 hour ...
  A: Baby dogs, like baby people, take frequent naps. How LONG they sleep depends on the dog. I'm ...
Joint Pain7/2/2009
  Q: My 1.5 year old retriever has had a problem with his front left elbow joint sense he was only a few ...
  A: Jana, I would suggest first getting another opinion. It's not uncommon in the medical field to get ...
I NEED AN ANSWER PLEASE6/27/2009
  Q: I`M KIND OF A BUSY PERSON AND I`M KEEPING MY GOLDEN RETRIVER PUPPY IN THE GARDEN I DONT LET HER TO ...
  A: Rania, Unfortunately, most dogs, especially people-oriented dogs like golden retrievers, need the ...
Jumping on kids / biting, scratching6/25/2009
  Q: We have a beautiful blonde 6 month old Golden named Daisy. She is generally a good girl. She can ...
  A: A lot of what you describe (the jumping on people) is typical puppy behavior, obnoxious as it may ...
Golden Retriever Shy/Aggressive Behavior6/14/2009
  Q: I have an almost 8 month old golden, Remmey. He is good with our three kids, but when it comes to ...
  A: "If he is showing fearfulness how do I overcome that?" Did you read the "Fearful Dog Packet?" ...
Golden Retriever Shy/Aggressive Behavior6/13/2009
  Q: I have an almost 8 month old golden, Remmey. He is good with our three kids, but when it comes to ...
  A: 1. How old was Remmy when you got him? His mistrust of strangers could have developed before he ...
toilet training6/11/2009
  Q: My 3 month old pup poops up to 10 times per day. It is very soft . How often should I feed him and ...
  A: It's been a while since we had puppies in the house, but I'm thinking that 10 times a day is a ...
Bite over food6/9/2009
  Q: Help, My golden retreiver had always growled when she was eating ab=nd you got near her food but ...
  A: "Might you have any suggestions on using the positive approach to make her not so aggressive when ...
eating habits/amounts5/31/2009
  Q: How much food should you feed a 7 year old female labrador? ANSWER: Hi, Shawn, A lot depends on ...
  A: What I can tell you is what I would do if she were my dog, and that would be, I would feed her twice ...
eating habits/amounts5/31/2009
  Q: How much food should you feed a 7 year old female labrador?
  A: Shawn, A lot depends on how active the dog is and what she weighs now. Are you trying to maintain ...
spaying5/18/2009
  Q: just bought our first golden retriver and she's fine, we would like her spayed but a little worried ...
  A: Stu, I very much doubt spaying had anything to do with your lab's tumors. Did you have her spayed ...
aggression & cancer5/18/2009
  Q: I have a three month old Golden. We are a senior couple with no children/pets at home. She is ...
  A: Sit Dog Stay Abby Harrison-Melott, CPDT Houston, TX 77022 7.7 miles Web: www.SitDogStay.net ...
aggression & cancer5/17/2009
  Q: I have a three month old Golden. We are a senior couple with no children/pets at home. She is ...
  A: Tommye, I don't particularly think she is sensing a weakness in you, but I do think you need the ...
Older golden retriever bad behavior5/13/2009
  Q: My female golden is 8yrs old and has recently started peeing in the house and destroying everything ...
  A: Lynn, Have you had her checked for a urinary infection? Once a medical reason is ruled out, you ...
extreme hyperactivity and biting5/8/2009
  Q: My 12 week old female golden is walked throughout the day and every evening for about 25-30 minutes. ...
  A: Lyn, Just out of curiosity, is your puppy a red or blonde girl? Seems the red ones are in general ...
regrding out side heat5/8/2009
  Q: hello dear i want got know if golden retrieval are puppy this out side heat how much temperature ...
  A: Chanchal, Dogs in general are very susceptible to heat stroke. If they are outside for any length ...
Lazy Golden5/4/2009
  Q: I have a 6 month old golden. He is so lazy that we have started calling him Lump. He goes on walks ...
  A: Nonie, As long as your vet has given him a thorough check (heart, bloodwork, etc.) and finds ...
Help4/29/2009
  Q: I have three Golden retrievers and two of them are boys, they're both 8 months old and I'm ...
  A: Rissa, My personal feeling is that 8 months is a little young; I would suggest you be in close ...
puppy4/16/2009
  Q: i just got a 10 week old goldie and im trying to crate train her but was wondering what do i do when ...
  A: Mitchell, I'm not sure if you are asking if she should be kept in her crate outside or inside the ...
Travel Behavior3/29/2009
  Q: We have a Golden Retriever and he just turned 3. Whenever we take him in the car, he sits and ...
  A: Noel, It is possible to use “desensitization” methods to gradually acclimate a dog to become ...
Golden Retriver Thinning Spot3/26/2009
  Q: I have a soon to be 2 year old golden retriver. I noticed when we were playing fetch he had a ...
  A: Gina, Since you say he doesn't seem to pay attention to it, it would appear it doesn't bother him. ...
aggression3/25/2009
  Q: What to do about my Golden's aggression? ANSWER: Hi, Anda, I'm afraid you'll have to give me more ...
  A: again, Obviously, through email, I can only guess at what might be going on; sometimes it’s hard ...
aggression3/25/2009
  Q: What to do about my Golden's aggression?
  A: Anda, I'm afraid you'll have to give me more to go on than this. Please give me details and ...
adding to the family3/18/2009
  Q: My GR, Tucker is 1 yr. I'd like to get him a buddy. I'm home all day and we go outside 3-4 times a ...
  A: Kellie, As far as "when" to get another dog, I don't know if there's a right or wrong time. The ...
Shy 7 month old Golden3/18/2009
  Q: I have a 7 month old Golden Retriever who is people shy. She loves other dogs and is very curious ...
  A: Laura, I am attaching some information on the "critical fear periods" for puppies; the first is 7 - ...
Shy 7 month old Golden3/16/2009
  Q: I have a 7 month old Golden Retriever who is people shy. She loves other dogs and is very curious ...
  A: Laura, Can you tell me, what age was she when you got her? And from where did you get her? Pet ...
Behavior Feeding Problem and Jumping Up3/12/2009
  Q: I have a 5 month old golden named "Rocco" that I've had since he was 2 months old. I have 2 major ...
  A: Richard, Goldens generally LOVE their food, and it sounds like he's just really excited about the ...
Golden biting3/10/2009
  Q: We have a 1 1/2 year old fixed female golden who bites our 10 month old. It has happened two times ...
  A: You may want to have a trainer come to your house and observe or do an evaluation. I agree with you ...
Golden biting3/9/2009
  Q: We have a 1 1/2 year old fixed female golden who bites our 10 month old. It has happened two times ...
  A: It could be that she recognizes the 5 year old as being above her in the "pack order" but not the 10 ...
Sleep3/4/2009
  Q: my Golden Retriever is 3months old, she's eating fine, and is for the most part a normal puppy, but, ...
  A: Another suggestion for keeping her entertained is to buy Busy Buddy toys by Premier: ...
Sleep3/4/2009
  Q: my Golden Retriever is 3months old, she's eating fine, and is for the most part a normal puppy, but, ...
  A: Most young puppies take short naps during the day along with periods of activity. They will play ...
my puppy stella3/3/2009
  Q: we got her from a private breeder thought she was 8 weeks but looking at the paper work i realized ...
  A: there! I don't think the hiccups are anything to worry about, but it never hurts to have the vet ...
crate training my retriever.2/26/2009
  Q: Our Golden retriever is 10 weeks old. We have heard that it is best to crate your puppy, but she ...
  A: Teaching a dog to accept a crate has a number of benefits; if they are ever hospitalized at the vet, ...

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Christine (Chris) Vassonei, APDT

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I have NO MEDICAL background. If your question pertains to a physical concern about your dog -- that is, you think your dog may be sick, whelping problems, trouble breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, excessive drinking, heavy drooling, unexplained physical symptoms of ANY kind, etc -- YOU NEED TO GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND CALL YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT WASTE TIME WAITING FOR AN EMAIL RESPONSE!!! Your dog could be having a medical crisis!
I answer questions pertaining to training of all kinds, behavior, grooming,etc. I am qualified to address questions regarding basic training issues; crate training, housebreaking, behavior management tools, basic obedience skills. You may be interested in visiting: http://bad-dog-good-dog.blogspot.com/ www.housecalls-dogtraining.com

Experience

I have owned the breed for 16 years. Have done conformation, obedience, and pet therapy training. Have been a member of the local breed club; I participate in breed rescue. Have done training in private and group situations.

Education/Credentials
Attended seminars presented by Dr. Patricia McDonnell, PhD, Lesley Nelson, and Cesar Milan.

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