persephone

taken with iPhone 4S and olloclip macro lens . A flower spider has caught herself a beeautiful meal!! it amazes me just how powerful these spider are !!

no - IMO , as there were many more opportunities for early socialising - NO parvo ..many more offlead opportunities .... and 'the public' had more general sense of what dogs were like . It is sad now that new owners have so many things to concern them - worries which get in the way of simply enjoying bringing a pup into their home. hang in there, Chey - it WILL all be good !! :D

:) I don't use food rewards - but will suggest you have a look at this youtube video and others in teh series - I like the way she works! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PRT6r6d79OU&list=PLF26FD559887E7EA4

..very sad - I am wondering why he was allowed to get to that age ? there is this also : LINK excerpt:

it's an excellent start, YES!! :)

Shared around ... thanks.

LOl yep :) ..or at least they say sorry afterwards :p

Hopefully they start to put on some 'puppyfat' now that mum is more relaxed .. That is a very cute photo of the little girl :)

Cheys - yes, apologies- we can be a bit full-on and enthusiastic at handing out advice --- it can be overwhelming ;) Ams wrote a very good post (as usual)

agree!! I think it's great :) and another from me.

:) Sorry you now seem to be feeling that it's impossible - Not impossible - but Impulse isn't the way to go, either . You have planned and have good things in mind for your new pup - and yes, it's your choice . what makes a good family dog? eek? How long's a piece of string? this is a very individual situation .. for some families, it's a small dog - others, one who is rambunctious and an exercise fiend ..or large and goofy .. What has led you to choose a goldie or lab?

they are very different! , Labs & Goldens ....... No idea of the breeder you mentioned - the thing about buying a pup is to do your research! Research the lines - check as to what the temperament is like ... what have these dogs done ? Have any of teh family been shown - worked- trained as assistance/guides or anything? Word of moith is a wonderful thing when seeking a breeder !! maybe check out who has labs on here - what breeder they got them from, and how happy they are ??? :) some are just way too boisterous to have around young kids .. labs , in my experience tend to go 'through' people/kids rather than go 'round' ... Don't forget too they shed 26 hrs day ;)

..I thought you wanted a Golden Retriever?

The growl/under the tongue needs to be FIRM ..and to be uncomfortable ...

Oh, Gosh - I had no idea :( Thinking of everyone . INFO SITE HERE

Sounds ok :) ..or you can always just walk out the room for a minute ;)

A lot of it also comes from the parents - ;) some more homework for you ............. HERE A puppy is born with its own temperament/personality . What happens with the raw material is then dependent on its upbringing. :) Not all pups are the same - which is why, at around 6-8 weeks , an ethical experienced breeder can match a puppy with a family/home :)

better the kids be disappointed now than a year down the track if pup showed behavioural/health probs and there was no support from the breeder .... I also hate confrontation --- just 'rip the bandaid off quick' and send an email .....

Chey - agree , email the breeder and just say that you are aware that you will forfeit the deposit , but circumstances have changed , and you will not be buying the pup. you need not go into detail ... just those facts ....and ignore any please/deals etc which may follow !! Then breathe deeply .....

these puppies will find homes , for sure ..some of them will be desexed and well loved, some may even be bred from 'because they are such wonderful dogs' .... that's the way it goes.

..and here is a thread in which all things Golden are discussed - incl potential health problems ... and the wonderfulness factor :) CLICK HERE

have a read of some of these listings , and see some of the things which may come with buying this way ... LINK

:) thanks for the update...and glad pups will be staying for a while longer - it really is so important ! "Stigma" ? not really a stigma - more like buying from a registered breeder is trying to obtain a puppy from the best possible source, and have the best possible help -

Clever ! Curling is also my fave :)