The Retriever Expert Expert Care Tips For Your Retriever
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience. But have you completed the things to buy for Golden Retriever puppy?
It’s important to ensure that everything is all set by the time your new pup goes home. Aside from a comfy bed, nutritious food, and grooming tools, there are other essentials you need to add to your list.
Below, I listed 10 essentials that many first-time Goldie owners forget to buy. Make sure that you have them at home to keep your pup comfy and happy!
PUPPY ITEMS | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mycicy Long Rope Leash |  | |
 | RUFFWEAR Padded Harness | | |
 | Bil-Jac Original Recipe Dog Treats | | |
 | EXPAWLORER Waterproof Dog Boots | | |
 | Natural Dog Company Snout Soother | | |
 | Active Pets Dog Seat Cover |  | |
 | West Paw Zogoflex Air Tug Toy | | |
 | Arf Pets Cooling Mat Pad | | |
 | Lovelonglong Waterproof Rain Jacket | | |
 | Waterpik PPR-252 Pet Wand Shower | |
1. Training leash
A training leash is one of the very first accessories you’ll need in raising your puppy. It’s a lifesaver, especially for Goldies that are yet to learn basic commands.
Unlike typical dog leashes, training leashes are longer. It also has a metal ring where you can loop the strap for a cinching effect. This will discourage your Golden Retriever puppy from pulling.
When it comes to training leashes, I swear by Mycicy Long Rope Leash. This is available in 15, 30, and 50 feet lengths to suit your training needs.
This training leash is made of heavy-duty nylon rope that can put up with a Goldie’s pulling. It’s also equipped with a metal hook that rotates at 360 degrees for comfortable movement.
My only gripe here is that the clasp can be made tougher. When our Golden Retriever pup grew bigger, we switched to a thicker clasp we bought from a dollar store.
Overall, the Mycicy Long Rope Leash is versatile and can be used as a typical leash by cutting some length off and re-looping the handle.
2. Dog harness
To pair your training leash, you must get a dog harness for your new Golden Retriever puppy.
Why not get a collar, you ask? As a large breed, a collar will put excessive stress on a Goldie’s neck. This can be prevented by using a harness, which disperses the force throughout the pup’s body.
Also, it’s wise to get your Golden puppy used to wearing harnesses at an early age. This way, it will be comfortable putting on raincoats and flotation devices later on.
For our Golden Retrievers, we trust the RUFFWEAR Padded Harness. It’s available in a wide range of sizes so that you can get one for your Goldie across life stages.
This harness has 13 leash attachment points to accommodate various training drills. It also has reinforced webbing to give you better control during training.
Aside from that, this dog harness has foam material on the chest to keep your Goldie comfortable even on prolonged use. It also distributes the force all over the chest. On top of that, the material has reflective trims for added safety.
3. Training treats
To complete your training ensemble, you must have a tasty treat reward. Golden Retrievers are small dogs, and they respond well to the reward system.
Take note that training treats should be small and easy to eat. Still, it must be tasty and smelly enough to catch your dog’s attention.
While you can always use a handful of kibble, a dedicated training treat will make your dog look forward to the next drills.
Our Golden puppies love the Bil-Jac Original Recipe Dog Treats. This is made with fresh chicken liver, which our dogs find irresistible. The treat pieces are also made small for easy consumption.
I also like that it comes in a resealable bag, which keeps the treats fresh and moist. You can also get this in 1-pack to 6-pack sets for reasonable prices.
4. Dog booties
Golden Retrievers love exploring outdoors even at a young age. Unfortunately, their bare paws can get severely injured on hot pavements. To prevent this, you must get a set of dog booties, so your pup can walk and play without burned paws.
You can make improvise booties using old clothes. But if you don’t want to go through this hassle, I highly recommend the EXPAWLORER Waterproof Dog Boots.
These booties are made of non-skid material with anti-collision to caps. This will protect your Goldie pup’s paws against sharp corners and objects.
Aside from that, this is fitted with reflective Velcro straps for an adjustable fit and added safety. The waterproof material will also keep your pup’s paws dry.
Overall, the EXPAWLORER dog booties have a lug design that makes them easy to put on and off. The soles are also grooved for better control.
It’s important to get your pup accustomed to wearing dog booties as early as possible. This way, you can take them on walks later on without them trying to remove the booties.
5. Nose balm
During summer, your Golden Retriever pup’s nose can get dry. They can also get nose sunburn if they stay out for too long. The easy solution is an all-natural nose balm that will keep your dog’s snout moisturized.
We swear by the Natural Dog Company Snout Soother. This nose balm is made of hempseed oil, jojoba oil, chamomile, rosemary, shea butter, and Vitamin E. Everything is natural, so your pup won’t suffer from any irritations.
This works well on cracked and dry snouts. It’s also an excellent preventive whenever you’re taking your Goldie outdoors.
Depending on how dry your dog’s nose gets, you can apply this balm 2 to 3 times a day. A small amount goes a long way, so avoid making your pup’s nose too greasy.
Aside from your Golden’s nose, this formula also works for paws, tail area, and almost any dry spots.
6. Car seat cover
Never underestimate how much a Golden Retriever puppy can shed! Instead of letting your car upholstery suffer from all the loose fur and dander, you can get a car seat cover instead.
A car seat cover serves as a protective layer that will catch all your pup’s drool, fur, and even pee. It’s usually used on the passenger seat of the vehicle.
For this, we recommend the Active Pets Dog Seat Cover. It’s made of 600D Oxford cotton with a mid-layer of Oxford 210D as well as a waterproof coating.
What we really like about this seat cover is it’s very easy to clean. You only need to vacuum or wipe it with a dry cloth. Lint rolling will also remove stubborn fur that got into the material.
Moreover, this has a hammock design with four headrest anchors and two seat anchors to keep your pet safe. It remains snug on the seat, even as our Golden Retriever puppy moves on the passenger seat.
7. Durable chew toy
Golden Retriever puppies are notorious for their chewing habits, especially in their first six months. Your pup will undergo the teething process, which will result in non-stop chewing, biting, and nipping.
To help ease your pup’s discomfort, you can give it a durable chew toy. Just make sure that it’s soft enough not to damage their young gums.
Most of all, you should always supervise your Golden puppy whenever you’re giving chew toys. This is to prevent choking and other untoward incidents.
When it comes to chew toys for Goldie pups, you should consider the West Paw Zogoflex Air Tug Toy. This is a non-toxic chew toy for puppies that also double as a fetch toy, which is perfect for growing Goldies.
Aside from that, this toy is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. It’s also latex-free, and it comes from the packaging without any strong odors.
8. Cooling mat
During summer, your Golden Retriever puppy will benefit from a cooling mat. This will help them cool down, especially if you live in an area with a warm climate.
A cooling mat will provide relief to your dog, but you should still pair it with proper hydration and ventilation.
You should also give your Goldie pup some time to get used to the mat. Let the doggo sniff and lick until he becomes comfortable with the new lounging mat you just bought.
And if you’re looking for a dog cooling mat, you should try the Arf Pets Cooling Mat Pad. This has a cooling gel enveloped inside a nylon construction.
It will give your Golden Retriever puppy up to 3 hours of continuous cooling relief. You just have to let it recharge on its own for 20 minutes before giving it to your dog again.
9. Raincoat
Dogs love water, but it’s not always a good idea to let them run in the rain. A wet coat can quickly get messy, so you should consider buying a raincoat for your Golden Retriever puppy. This way, your doggo can also go potty without getting soaked in a downpour.
Also, a raincoat will give added warmth to your Goldie pup during a drizzly walk around the neighborhood. If you’re wearing a raincoat, so should your dog.
You can consider the Lovelonglong Waterproof Rain Jacket for Dogs. This is made of composite fabric that can repel water, snow, and wind.
Aside from that, this has a leash hole and reflective trims to keep your dog safe. Unlike other raincoats, this one from Lovelonglong stretches from your dog’s neck down to its rear. It’s also fitted with sleeves, so it doesn’t flap when there’s a strong wind.
Overall, this is available in a wide range of sizes, so you can buy one for your Goldie pup then a bigger one when the doggo is older.
10. Shower wand
Golden Retrievers shed and get dirty a lot. While a typical shower head will work, a dedicated shower wand will make bathing much easier. This will let you channel the water flow all over the dog’s body for maximum cleaning.
A shower wand will also let you clean sensitive and hard-to-reach areas of your pup’s body. The best thing is that most of these wands connect to garden hoses or standard showerheads.
Personally, we use Waterpik PPR-252 Pet Wand Shower Sprayer for our Golden Retriever dogs. It has a 2.5 GPM flow rate that will emit a contoured water spray for optimal bathing. It’s also available in a 1.8 GPM flow rate version.
Aside from the shower wand, this package also includes an 8” flexible hose, suction cup hook, outdoor hose adapter, and an indoor shower diverter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do the first night with a new puppy?
A: On your first night with your Golden Retriever puppy, you should let the doggo sleep inside a crate. It’s best to place the crate in your bedroom to keep the pup calm. Never take the puppy in your bed because this will create a negative habit in the long run.
Q: What is the first thing you should train your puppy for?
A: It’s important to start training your Golden Retriever puppy with basic obedience commands. Your pup should learn the commands ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘down’, and ‘come’. You can start this training as early as 8 weeks, so your puppy can receive advanced training before it turns a year old.
Q: What supplies do I need for a Golden Retriever puppy?
A: For Golden Retriever puppies, you need basic supplies like a crate, bed, food, bowls, collar, leash, and brush. These are just some of the things that your puppy will need on a regular basis. It’s best to have it all prepared even before the puppy arrives home.
Q: What is the first thing to do when you bring home a puppy?
A: The first thing to do upon bringing your puppy home is scheduling a vet visit. This way, the pup will be examined and given necessary shots if it hasn’t received any. You should also let the puppy rest and never force social interactions just yet.
Q: At what age do Golden Retriever puppies get easier?
A: Golden Retrievers age quite slowly, so it may take up to a year for them to start easier. But if you’re waiting for your Goldie to outgrow its puppy personality, you may need to wait up to two years.
Final words
Knowing the things to buy for Golden Retriever puppy will help you prepare before the arrival of the doggo. This will also ensure that your pup will have a comfortable adjustment period in its new home. Nevertheless, you don’t have to dip into your savings just to purchase everything. You can start buying it one by one until you complete the ensemble.
