Top Gun Golden Retrievers Breeding Program
Welcome to our Puppy Enrichment page! Here we discuss everything about how we raise and train our dogs and puppies!
Puppy Enrichment Program
Top Gun Golden Retriever's Enrichment Page
Socializing
Training
Desensitization
Socializing
We have an unpopular opinion regarding socializing. Please let me explain. The most important aspect of owning a happy and healthy golden is making sure they are overly socialized. Socialization helps them grow to love kids, adults, and other animals. There are several ways to socialize your dog safely. You do not want your puppy to touch the ground with their feet or nose until they are fully vaccinated. You can take them to a pet-friendly store, the mall, the airport, Home Depot, etc.. and put the puppy in a carrier. You would allow people to pet your pup or give the pup treats. They need to be patient and either sit in the cart or wait for the treat to go to the puppy's nose. Make sure you bring sanitizer and have everyone use sanitizer before they touch the puppy. Your golden must be overly socialized. It will create the best personality and energy level in your golden. Please socialize your golden especially during their first year of life. It truly is worth it to over socialize them rather than to under socialize them.
Therapy Hours
Daily Puzzles and Enrichment
Training
We believe in training and starting their training journey at a very young age. We start training them at 3 days old. We work on Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) when the puppies turn 3 days old until they are 25 days old. When they are three weeks old we start working the "Puppy, Puppy, Puppy" recall as well as crate and potty training. We want our puppies to have a great recall in case there is an emergency and you need to get the puppy to come back to you. After the 3rd week, we start adding in more commands and conditioners. The puppies are exposed and shown how to complete the following commands:
- Sit - Paw
- Down - Spin
- Gentle - Swimming
- Wait - How to wear booties
- Leave it - Loose Leash Walking
- Take it - More Commands, depending
- Drop it on each puppy's progress
Desensitization
Desensitization is such an important part of breeding and raising dogs. There are so many dogs that are afraid or loud noises, thunder, fireworks, etc. We work to combat those fears and make each dog is confident and understands that those noises will not hurt them. We teach them that big loud noises are not scary they are just apart of life. We also desensitize them to visitors, doorbells, knocking, and car rides. They also love going to our vet and do not have any fears.
Therapy Hours
We are the only program in the United States that is approved to start therapy work at 6 weeks old, after the puppies get their first round of shots. We take the puppies to Countryside Living twice a week for 8 weeks. During this time they will learn to be quiet, calm, gentle, patient, and most importantly they will not put their teeth on human skin. Once they complete their therapy hours they are truly incredible goldens that are amazing service and therapy dogs. They are also very well behaved, gentle, and kind family dogs. Our goals and focus is to create as many service and therapy dogs as we can. So everything we do is to set them up for success as a therapy or service prospect. However, all of the extra time, training, and socializing creates an incredible family pet as well.
Puzzles and Enrichment
Puzzles and enrichment are so important to the growth and health of your puppy. Puzzles keep your dogs mind busy, active, and fufills their needs. Puzzles make the dog use their nose, mouth, and feet. They have to problem solve and think. This makes your dog tired. It is a great daily activity and very helpful on days when you cannot go for a walk or exercise. Enrichment can include lick mats, paintings, agility courses, etc. Enrichment is used to keep your dog's mind busy and engaged. This prevents destructuve behaviors because their needs are being met.
