u/soupymop

So we have reserved a beautiful 1 week old golden retriever to be picked up mid October and I'm finishing off my to do list and have a few questions.

Best insurance in the UK?

Best way to crate train / reinforce naps.

Best way to potty train with no pup pads.

And best treats for a growing puppy for training purposes!

Enrichment and mental stimulation ideas?

TIA for any and all advice given!

Plus any advice for golden retriever pups 💓

So me (20F) and my boyfriend (24M), are wanting to get a dog! We've been thinking about it for a while and have decided to start planning/really thinking about it. I would love a GSD! I have a background education in Animal Management and one of my favourite parts of the course was our dog training unit. I am also starting a Veterinary course this September.

My biggest concern at the moment is hours being at home and away. Boyfriend works 5 days a week Monday -> Friday, 7AM - 3PM with a 30 minute commute. I work Fri - Tuesday 5PM - 11PM with a 5/10 minute commute. So basically whenever I'm at work he's home, and whenever he's at work I'm home.

I start college again in September for a part time entry course into Veterinary. I get my timetable at the end of the month, It'll be one day a week as it's a part time course. Along with this I'll be doing 90 hours of work placement through the academic year (it's only a one year course.) Would a lifestyle like this be okay for a GSD? I don't really have a social life due to my own preferences and don't have any hobbies/anything I'm interested in (other than animals; I have a snake and a 20 Gallon tank and spend majority of my time researching about pets I want or playing video games).. So my dog would be my best friend..

I have already looked into local training groups etc. But also plan to take the puppy to my college as they have amazing classes there and it would be an amazing place to socialise!!! My concerns are not the training/drive of the dog but more-so time management...

Do you think a lifestyle like mine would work with a GSD?

Oh also, I would be a first time dog owner! And I understand the cause for concern with a first time owner wanting a GSD but I believe my heart and head are in the right place (I'm happy for anyone to correct me...) Boyfriend had two jack russels who imo were poorly trained if not at all trained.. so I don't consider him a dog owner (they were his Mothers dogs.)

TIA for any advice/comments 💓💓

EDIT:

After more research and a talk with the boyfriend we have decided against getting a GSD! I want to thank everyone for their comments, after doing further research and reading through comments I've decided to go for a companion breed (probably a golden retriever!!!) over a working breed. After careful consideration I've decided to take peoples advice on not having a GSD as a first dog... though they will definitely be my second ;)

​

i can feel my skin rotting,

can feel the bones softening,

i lay somberly -

between my sheets

and pillows,

wishing i was alive.

perhaps my body will sprout flowers,

flesh and carcass fed,

as i lay -

in my own bed,

realising i've created a grave.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/s/8RQLgqTaon

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/s/UyKFFfqHdd

Ho side temps reaching between 30⁰ - 32⁰ and cold sides 20-24⁰ dropping at night with current eco-halogen set up. All fixtures are attached/going to be attached to a dimming thermostat. I also have an infra-red temp gun which I use to measure ambient cold side temps and also the basking/hot spot aside with the thermostat probe.

I'm not 100% sure of distance from substrate to the deep dome/heat source but I'd estimate 14/15cm from substrate. Closest item to heat source would be a moss hide as seen in photos.

CHE

I have a 60cm x 45cm x 45cm Exo Terra with a mesh lid. I currently have halogen bulbs that I'm looking to swap out for CHE's due to day/night cycles and keeping up with temps (ambient room is generally colder.) I have a Swell Reptiles Pro Deep Dome, and want to buy a 40-60 Watt CHE, I've looked into Acradia, Exo Terra and Zoo Med, they all look usable.

Reptile UVB

I currently use no UVB, and wish to add some for the benefits of my snake. I plan to buy an Arcadia ShadeDweller Pro T5 7% UVB Kit, and place it behind the CHE Dome on top of the mesh lid.

Plant UVB

My set up is not currently bioactive however has low maintenance plants which hardly need watering/much upkeep. However I'm finding most plants I put in tend to brown out pretty quickly (I believe it's the over use of the eco halogen bulbs.) I want to be able to keep plants alive and healthy within the enclosure so I can eventually establish a bioactive terrarium with isopods and springtails. I plan on buying a Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED Bar and plan to place that behind the Reptile UVB bar.

Questions:

Is this set up viable? Is the placement of equiptment okay?

Which CHE's would best fit my set up and what wattage?

Will the deep dome be suitable for the heat of the CHE? And will I need a wired heat guard underneath the mesh lid?

I'm most curious about positioning of the Pro T5 kit and the Plant UVB Kit alongside the CHE for maximum efficiency and best replication of heat gradients/natural behaviours.

Any tips/suggestions.

TIA from someone who is ever evolving her knowledge and practices!!!