u/risssaalee

We’ve been working with a trainer since my pup was 4 months old (she’s now 10 months). She’s a field golden and has been an absolute nut since we got her lol. She’s calming down now but there’s some things we struggle on (of course with her still learning).

We recently started working on greeting people with my trainer because we honestly don’t have company much. We go on walks with her constantly but she jumps at people so bad and barks from excitement it’s so embarrassing.

The trainer has us working on “look at me” because the prime thing she needs to learn is to be in tune with us and look to us more the trainer said. She also said when people come over keep her on a leash and any time she gets distracted throw food in her snuffle mat for mental stimulation to calm down and then once she’s calm try greeting again.

We have not tried the snuffle mat yet but when my parents were over a few weeks ago we kept my dog on a leash and she would NOT calm down. We even made sure she had enough sleep/exercise/mental stimulation before they came over. She just loves people lol.

For being only 40lbs or so she is strong as shit. She can knock you over instantly if she’s excited enough and we don’t want her being this way when we greet people.

I’m not looking for an overnight fix, I know consistency is key. I’m just someone who can’t turn her brain off and wants to continue to research and get opinions.

Anyone have tips other than what our trainer recommended (we will be doing what she said as well) but to work on for walks and stuff as well? Or what we can do at home without company coming over? Our family lives ours away and we don’t have many friends in this area so we don’t have company often.

I have a 9 month old Field Golden pup who is full of drive and energy. She’s a working line so our trainer said she’ll benefit most from mental stimulation more than physical and boy was she right lol. She still of course gets physical exercises but 15min of mental stimulation tires her out WAY more than an hour walk ever has.

I’m looking for more ideas of what to do with her and google isn’t helping as it’s giving me everything we already do. Our trainer recommended agility which we are going to start with her.

Things we already do:

-Hide and seek
-“Find it” we put her in different room and then hide treats around the house for her to find (also do this in backyard”
-Frozen treat bowls
-wrapping treats in towel for her to sniff out
-puzzle toys (have yet to find one she doesn’t figure out within less than a minute)
-purposeful play (we use a flirt pole and make her leave it, drop it, wait, in between playing)

She thrives on the find it game and flirt pole.

Anyone have more ideas for my very energetic girl?

My 8 month old golden retriever LOOOOVES toys. For the past few weeks she’s started to destroy every toy she gets unfortunately. She has different outlets for mental stimulation and play for her but toys are her favorite. She’ll carry around a stuffed animal when she gets too excited it’s adorable lol, if she doesn’t have said stuffed animal she’ll bite instead lol.

Any recommendations on durable toys? I know no matter what over time she can destroy them but lately it’s literally been 3 minutes and we have to throw them out 😭. I’ve tried a few different brands that claim to be better but they have lasted less time than just a normal toy.

Will be the death of me

I know, I know.. just need to stay consistent and give my pup grace.. but omg she’s such an a-hole these days lol.

I swear her ears don’t work half the day. I love her to pieces but this stage is annoying to say the least lol.

Her new favorite thing during training is jumping up and punching me in the face with her snout when she doesn’t want to do it and just wants the treat. Her leash walking has also gotten horrible. We are seeing a trainer and stay consistent at home by myyyyy goodness lol. Just venting.