Interested in trying any new dog activities this year?

[Lisa Schuyler]

I've had a lot of fun trying different activities with my dogs over the years: conformation, obedience, field, and agility.

What are you hoping to try sometime soon with your golden retrievers?

[Sabine]

None of the above, but: my goal for this year is to train him to come with us canoeing, and maybe boating. He is 3 now, and last year was still too excited to be taken along (we did when he was 1 year old, but now at 75 pounds it's a little scary when he moves around in a tippy canoe).
He is also in training for becoming a sled dog:

and he is doing very well pulling our heavy icefishing sled to the fishing spots. He loves it! He is so fast that I can't even keep up. Obviously he loves physical challenges.

[Nano]

I'll be bringing my puppy home around the end of April so s/he will be too young for these activities for awhile. In time, we're going to try most of them - obedience (the CGC), agility and flyball for sure. Tracking is a possibility, too. We may prefer one or more activites over another. I also want to train the dog to run with me. Of course, I'll start slowly and build up over time. In the summer, I run very early in the morning so the dog won't get overheated. On Sundays I go for LSDs (long slow distance) runs. It will be great to have my companion along! June is the Humane Society's Paws in Motion walk so I'd like us to participate in that, too. My cat raised over $200 one year but I promised him I'd get a dog to do it with me next time.

[Mom2Maddie]

I'll be bringing my puppy home around the end of April so s/he will be too young for these activities for awhile. In time, we're going to try most of them - obedience (the CGC), agility and flyball for sure. Tracking is a possibility, too. We may prefer one or more activites over another. I also want to train the dog to run with me. Of course, I'll start slowly and build up over time. In the summer, I run very early in the morning so the dog won't get overheated. On Sundays I go for LSDs (long slow distance) runs. It will be great to have my companion along! June is the Humane Society's Paws in Motion walk so I'd like us to participate in that, too. My cat raised over $200 one year but I promised him I'd get a dog to do it with me next time.

Hello Nano, I see you're from Winnipeg. Enjoying the snow this morning? How exciting about your new puppy, where is s/he coming from?

[Nano]

Hi!

Yes, it's winter in Winnipeg but it's so mild and the snow is so fluffy and soft - I don't mind at all. (Until it hardens and I have to shovel it!)

I'm getting my puppy from a Manitoba breeder named Tiffany Waite (CastleRock Goldens). The puppies will be born by the end of February so I'm estimating that I'll be bringing the puppy home at the end of April. I don't know if the puppy will be a boy or a girl, gender isn't important to me. What's important is the puppy's health and temperment. Once I meet the puppies, we'll decide on the best match. Where did you get your Golden? Madison is beauiful!

[Mom2Maddie]

Hi Nano,
I am familiar with Tiffany and CastleRock Goldens. Madison is from Johnny Be Good in Argyle and I'm pretty sure that Dawn (the breeder)knows Tiffany. I think maybe Tiffany showed some dogs with Dawn and maybe co-owned some if I remember correctly from way back then (we got Maddie in 2001). How exciting for you, I'm sure April won't come fast enough.

[Nano]

Hi Mom2Maddie,

Yes, I'm sure Tiffany and Dawn know each other. I know Tiffany knows Kathy Seadon (another breeder) very well. In fact, I'm sure all the Golden breeders here know each other.

It's true that I'm counting the days - until the puppies are born, until I can meet them, until I bond with my own and take her or him home. I have three cats so the months after that will be busy and filled with adventure!