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Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale:
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But before you get your new family member home, you do have to do one very important and difficult thing--wait!! As with many things in life, the best things come to those who wait.
Before the Puppies Are Born
When you have selected the breeder, you will likely be placed on a list for the breeder's next litter of golden retriever puppies for sale. Make sure you know about the sire and the dam -- what each
looks like
, what their
temperaments
are like, and so on. Talk to the breeder about the specific dogs involved, and make sure you like them.
While you are waiting, stay in contact with the breeder. In fact, most reputable breeders will proactively stay in touch with you. They will tell you when the puppies are due and will likely keep you informed of the happenings up until that time. Just when it seems like you can wait no longer, the announcement will come—the puppies are here! You will probably receive adorable pictures of the newborn Golden Retriever puppies.
Until the Puppy Comes Home
Now the first waiting period ends and a shorter, much more exciting one begins. This waiting period is to allow the newborns to grow, explore and become familiar with life outside the womb.
One thing that's great in this second waiting period is that, if you are within visiting distance from the breeder, you can go and see your future puppy several times! This is one of the reasons that I strongly prefer to get a puppy from a breeder within driving distance -- it makes the whole process so much more personal.
When To Visit the Breeder
A few weeks after the puppies are born, you should make an appointment to see them. Often breeders prefer you to come 3-4 weeks after birth, and not sooner.
Once you are allowed to visit, try to go and see the Golden Retriever puppies as often as possible.
You will find that the puppies grow rapidly -- physically and mentally. The puppies continue to look and behave more and more distinctly, such that by 5 weeks old, most people can tell each Golden Retriever puppy apart. A trained eye can of course can distinguish the pups much earlier.
When you visit, try to go before feeding time so you can observe the Golden Retriever puppies in action. They often fall asleep shortly after feeding.
What To Do At the Visits
When you visit, reassess the breeder and the care they are providing the puppies one last time. The puppies should have ample space to move around in but still be confined in a pen so they don't get into trouble (at least, too much trouble!). The breeder should provide the puppies with plenty of fresh water, and they should have a separate area to “do their business.” This begins their foray into
toilet-training
. There should be lots of
chew toys
to keep the puppies interested and busy.
Also, if you have not already done so, this is the time to take a look at all the paperwork for the sire and dam. For detailed information on what certificates you should see, go to
Puppy Papers
.
Make sure you feel comfortable with the breeder. Remember, this is your last chance to change your mind!
| If, for some reason, you feel uncomfortable with the breeder or the golden retriever puppies for sale, do reconsider your choice of breeders . Some reasons might be if the breeder does not answer all your questions, does not appear to keep the puppies and mother comfortable, does not have all the clearances he promised, and so on. As I have mentioned many times before, the importance of choosing the right breeder cannot be over-emphasized. It is better to lose your deposit, than to get a poorly bred puppy home -- the latter can result in a lot of heartache down the road. |
Visit your breeder as often as possible. You can enjoy the Golden Retriever puppies, and confirm that you made the right choice in breeders.
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