Golden Retriever Care Kit

  Golden Retriever Care Kit 

Leashes & Harnesses

Features

If you aren’t careful, your golden will walk you. A few important pointers for walking your dog:

• Don’t use a collar, your dog will choke themselves.
• Choose sturdy material.
• A 28 – 32″ chest fit (measure your dog).
• Retractable leashes are dangerous.

Expert Picks

• Freedom No-Pull Harness – Reduces pulling. Doesn’t choke your dog. Clip leash to front of chest.
• Vivaglory Dog Leash – Sturdy material. Padded handle. Six-foot length.

Basic Toys

Features

Retrievers are literally bred to fetch! Outside of tennis balls, choose toys that:

• Tap the retrieving instinct.
• Difficult to destroy.
• Vary textures.

Expert Picks

• Canada Goose – Too squeamish for real duck hunting? Let your dog retrieve this stuffed goose instead.
• Mammoth Flossy Toys – Six feet long. Ultra durable. Good for dental health.

Mentally Stimulating Toys

Features

Since your dog likely isn’t “working,” you need to make sure they get plenty of other ways to keep them mentally stimulated. Look for toys/activities that:

• Take a long time to complete.
• Perform hunting behaviors.
• Increase critical thinking.

Expert Picks

• iDOGMATE – Your retriever loves to retrieve. Let them do it when you’re gone too.
• OurPets IQ Treat Ball – You put treats in, your dog has to get them out!

Chews

Features

If you need to get your golden out of your hair for a bit, give them a quality chew that’s:

• Fully digestible.
• Safe for dogs.
• Takes a long time to eat!

Expert Picks

• Bully Sticks – Features: Fully digestible. High-value. Takes a long time to chew.
• Deer Antlers – Though your Golden Retriever doesn’t hunt deer, they will still love to chew the antlers!

Dog Beds

Features

Goldens can be prone to arthritis in their joints. Help them rest easy by choosing a bed that’s:

• Comfortable/supporting.
• Durable.
• Stylish.

Expert Picks

• Furhaven Dog Bed – Features: Orthopedic foam that’s easy on joints. Machine washable cover.
• AmazonBasics Elevated Pet Bed – If your dog is a chewer, this bed is comfortable, but difficult to destroy.

Dog Crates

Features

Especially while your golden is young, they can get themselves into trouble. Keep them contained with a crate that is:

• Indestructible.
• Appropriately sized.
• Includes a divider.

Expert Picks

• MidWest Homes Crate – Features: Rolling feet, double doors, and a divider.
• AmazonBasics Crate – Features: Single door and divider.

Dog Treats

Features

Your Golden Retriever loves to please. Show praise and affection, but toss a few treats in too. Choose treats that are:

• Chewy or moist.
• Come in different flavors.
• High in protein.

Expert Picks

• ACANA Singles – Features: Freeze-dried, few ingredients, multiple flavors.
• Zuke’s Training Treats – Features: Bite-sized, moist and chewy, multiple flavors. Tip: Salmon, rabbit, and duck flavors are favorites.

Travel Supplies

Features

There’s nothing a golden loves more than a good walk at the park, or swim at the beach, or hike in the mountains. While on the go, you need:

• A seat protector for messy dogs.
• Seat belt attachments for their harness.
• Travel essentials.

Expert Picks

• URPOWER Seat Cover – This cover is waterproof and fits most cars. No more muddy seats!
• Earth Rated Poop Bags – Clean up after your pup anytime.
• Deyace Dog Water Bottle – Water bottle with built-in bowl. Keep your dog hydrated on the go.

Anxiety Reduction

Features

Some dogs develop anxious behaviors. If you need to reduce anxiety, try:

• Mentally stimulating activities.
• Time-consuming chew/games.
• Compression.

Expert Picks

• Monster Braided Bully Stick – Features: Braided for extra chewing time.
• ThunderShirt – XL should fit, but measure first! Compression therapy reduces anxiety in some dogs.

Housebreaking

Features

Housebreaking any puppy can be difficult. Some key rules to remember:

• Crate when unsupervised.
• Restrict with gates.
• Accident prevention is the goal.

Expert Picks

• MidWest Homes Crate – Dogs don’t like to potty where they sleep. Use the divider to confine to a smaller area.
• Glad for Pets Charcoal Puppy Pads – Only use if you leave your pup for longer than they can hold it.
• Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Dog Gate – Your golden will grow quickly. Use this gate to keep them confined so they don’t have accidents.

Dog Foods

Features

A good food is extremely important for a growing dog, and for maintaining an adult! Your dog food should be:

• High in protein.
• Made with quality ingredients.
• Contain protein in the first two ingredients.

Expert Picks

• Amazon Brand Wag – Features: First two ingredients are salmon, contains 35% protein.
• Nutro Wholesome Essentials – Features: Contains 22 % protein, first two ingredients are lamb and chicken.

Hair Clippers

Features

Golden retrievers have double coats. The soft under layer and coarse outer layer work as insulation. You should never shave a double-coated dog because it impacts this insulation.

Expert Picks

• Do not shave your Golden Retriever.

Shampoos

Features

Golden Retrievers love to swim! If they pick a particularly muddy pond, clean them up with shampoo that is:

• Non-irritating.
• Pleasant scent.
• Reduces shedding.

Expert Picks

• Furminator Shampoo – This low-cost shampoo reduces shedding and doesn’t irritate the skin.
• Burt’s Bees Natural Oatmeal Shampoo – This affordable shampoo is all-natural and helps relieve itchy skin.

Brushes

Features

Every double-coated dog sheds. Groom your Golden Retriever with:

• A shedding rake/tool to remove the undercoat.
• Use a pin brush to brush away remaining hairs.

Expert Picks

• Oster De-Shedding Tool – Easily dislodges dead undercoat. Brush gently to avoid scraping the skin.
• Andis Premium Pet Brush – Simple brush easily removes remaining hair and cleans up coat.

Hair Dryers

Features

Like all double-coated dogs, Golden Retrievers need thorough drying. A wet undercoat can irritate the skin. Look for a dryer that is:

• Powerful.
• Low volume.
• Controllable temperature.

Expert Picks

• CHAOLUN High Velocity Pet Dryer – This dryer is strong and quiet, and features several nozzle heads.
• XPOWER Pet Dryer – This dryer is more affordable, but quite a bit louder.