by Aubrey Jones

Selecting the right pet for you and your family is an important decision. There are several hundred breeds of dogs from around the world so your choices are virtually limitless.

The American Kennel Club categorized the different breeds by groups with each group having distinguishing characteristics that are shared by all the breeds in it. The Golden Retriever is in the Sporting Group.

The Sporting Group is made up of some of the oldest and most popular breeds. Many of the dogs in this category were bred for hunting although most people who own sporting dogs only keep them as family pets, rather than hunters. The hunting traits, however, create some of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a sporting dog. Goldens are natural retrievers, so you can enjoy them fetching a tennis ball for what seems like forever. Another trait is their outgoing personality, making sporting dogs enthusiastic and responsive partners.

The Golden Retriever was bred to be tough and strong. Don’t let the happy, silly face fool you. While any Golden will delight in lazing around the house or wrestling on the floor with your family, the breed is particularly adept in the field.

As puppies, Goldens are full of energy and can be especially mouthy. Make sure you direct your puppy’s need to chew to appropriate chew toys. Remember, puppies aren’t fussy and don’t discriminate. A chair leg works as well for them as a sterilized bone. Goldens are very trainable, athletic, and good-natured. They have a keen desire to please. You can find them performing with tails wagging and eyes shining in the obedience, agility, and fly ball arenas. They are also excellent with children.
The Golden Retriever is generally light yellow to deep golden honey in color. The coat tends to get a little deeper in color after the first year. They tend to be about twenty-four inches tall at the withers (shoulders), with females being slightly shorter. Their coat should be long and either flat or wavy. They’ll need to be brushed properly or their coat will form thick mats

So, if you are looking for a loyal companion that will be great with kids or adults, you should definitely find a local breeder and spend some time getting to know a Golden.

Aubrey Jones has a 3 year old Golden Retriever, Max, in his family. His has put together a great selection of unique gift ideas for Golden Retriever aficionados at Golden Retriever Gifts - http://golden-retriever-gifts.blogspot.com.

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by Alexander Holt

Is it possible to train your dog without hiring an expensive dog trainer? Definitely and absolutely yes. It’s always preferable to train your dog yourself rather than sending him off to be trained by someone else.

Some people might be intimidated at the thought of doing it themselves, but it’s really easier than you might think. Believe me, you are the best person in the world to do it.

Why you ask? By training your own dog, you and your dog will learn how to communicate and understand each other. Training can build a strong relationship, based on trust and mutual respect, and provides greater confidence and control of your dog in any situation. It’s a great way to bond, plus you will definitely save some money.

So what’s the best way to start? Well, in order to be successful you need to learn as much about your pet as you can. It’s very important that you understand basic dog behavior, so take the time and prepare yourself. You have to make sure that before you start you know how to train a dog properly. So do your homework.

Dogs have descended from animals that lived in packs and like their wolf ancestors, they have a pack mentality. To your dog, you and everyone else in your household are in his pack. Dogs don’t think they are people, they think people are dogs. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as the pack leader or alpha dog. Your dog needs to know how he fits in the pack and what is expected of him.

The best way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement. When the dog performs a behavior the way you want, reinforce that behavior with pleasant rewards, such as verbal praise or treats. You should never yell at or hit your dog, no matter how frustrating it can get.

Just remember, every dog can be trained, no matter if large or small, a puppy or old. And you can certainly do it yourself with the help of books and/or training videos. Sure, it won’t be easy, but if you are willing to put in some time and effort, it will certainly heighten the bond between you and your pet.

If you are looking to properly train your dog yourself at home, visit Train Your Own Dog

Article Source: Health article directory|information on breast cancer,diabetes,heart health

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You can find a good companion in a dog from a shelter. You first need to clarify what traits you want in your new dog, as well as evaluate what kind of home you can provide.

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Good things don’t last long in life.

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