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Raising a 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever: Training, Chewing, and More


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 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds around the world, and it’s not hard to see why. These adorable and loyal dogs are known for their intelligence, friendly personalities, and eagerness to please. If you’re lucky enough to have a 4-month-old Golden Retriever, you’re in for a real treat. In this article, we’ll go over some important aspects of training, chewing, biting, and behavior for four-month-old Golden Retrievers.

How Big Should Your 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever Be?

If you are a proud owner of a 4-month-old Golden Retriever puppy, you may be wondering how big they should be at this age. It’s essential to know what to expect from your pup’s growth so you can ensure they are healthy and developing as they should.

At this age, your Golden puppy will start to look a bit lanky, with legs that may appear too long for the rest of its body. Their coat will also start to change, and they’ll lose their fluffy puppy coat in favor of a more coarse adult coat, resulting in some random patches of fluff. This phase is often called the “puppy uglies,” but don’t worry, it’s more cute than ugly.

A male Golden Retriever on average grows to be between 22-24 inches tall, while females are usually 20-22 inches tall. By four months of age, your pup should be around half of its adult height, meaning it should be approximately 11-12 inches tall for males and 10-11 inches tall for females.

While the average weight for a 4-month-old Golden Retriever is around 20-40 lbs, there are several factors that can affect your pup’s weight. The type of Golden Retriever you have can determine what is considered normal. For example, red goldens and white goldens can have different average weights.

Heredity is another factor that can impact your pup’s size. If your pup’s parents were small, your pup may be a bit smaller as well. Additionally, if your puppy was seriously ill for a prolonged period, it could hinder its ability to grow properly compared to healthy puppies. Infestations of intestinal worms can also stunt a puppy’s growth by preventing them from getting the necessary nutrients to grow. However, after eliminating the worms, your pup should start to grow normally again.

If you are concerned that your pup is underweight, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian. They can provide guidance on whether your pup is the right size and offer advice on what steps you can take to help your puppy grow and stay healthy.

Recommended reading : Golden Retriever Weight And Growth Chart All You Need To Know

Training your 4-month-old Golden Retriever

Training is a crucial aspect of raising any dog, and Golden Retrievers are no exception. At four months old, your Golden Retriever is still a puppy, but it’s important to start training them as soon as possible. Here are some essential training tips for your four-month-old Golden Retriever:

Socialization

Socialization is crucial for puppies, and it’s particularly important for Golden Retrievers. These dogs are social animals and thrive on interaction with their owners and other people and animals. Introduce your puppy to a variety of different people, animals, and environments to help them become well-adjusted and confident.

Basic Commands

Your four-month-old Golden Retriever is ready to start learning basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Use positive reinforcement training techniques to encourage good behavior, and be consistent in your training. Make training sessions short and fun, and use treats and praise to reward your puppy for a job well done.

Crate Training

Crate training is an effective way to potty train your puppy and keep them safe when you’re not at home. Start by introducing your puppy to the crate gradually and use positive reinforcement to encourage them to go inside. Never use the crate as a form of punishment, and always make sure your puppy has access to food, water, and toys.

How Much Should a 4-month-old Golden Retriever Eat?

As a loving pet owner, you want to make sure your furry friend is getting the proper nutrition they need to grow and thrive. When it comes to feeding your four-month-old golden retriever, it’s important to know how much food they need.

Your golden pup should be eating three meals a day, spread throughout the day. Each meal should consist of about one cup of food. However, keep in mind that every puppy has unique nutritional needs, so they may need more or less than this amount.

As your pup is growing, it will have days when they seem extra hungry and one cup of food may not be enough. If your puppy seems excessively hungry, it may be time to increase its food intake.

On the other hand, overfeeding your golden retriever can lead to obesity, a major problem for the breed. Nearly 63% of adult golden retrievers are overweight, which can lead to a variety of health issues.

To ensure your puppy is at a healthy weight, it’s important to monitor their food intake and avoid overfeeding. A good way to determine whether your pup is overweight is by feeling its ribs. If you can’t feel their ribs when holding or touching them, they may be overweight.

If you’re unsure about how much to feed your puppy, consult with your veterinarian. They can provide guidance on your puppy’s specific nutritional needs and recommend a feeding plan that is appropriate for your pup’s age, weight, and activity level.

Chewing Habits of 4-month-old Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers are notorious for their chewing habits, and four-month-old puppies are no exception. Chewing is a natural behavior for puppies, but it can become destructive if not addressed properly. Here’s how to deal with chewing habits in your four-month-old Golden Retriever:

Understanding why they Chew

Puppies chew for a variety of reasons, including teething, boredom, and anxiety. Understanding why your puppy is chewing can help you address the behavior more effectively.

How to Stop Destructive Chewing

If your puppy is chewing on things they shouldn’t be, redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy. Never punish your puppy for chewing, as this can cause anxiety and fearfulness.

Giving Them Safe Chewing Alternatives

When choosing chew toys for your puppy, it’s important to select toys that are safe and appropriate for their age and size. Avoid toys that are too small or easily breakable, as these can pose a choking hazard. Look for toys that are made from durable materials, such as rubber or nylon, and avoid toys that are made from materials that can easily be torn apart, such as stuffed animals.

Biting and Nipping Behaviors of 4-month-old Golden Retrievers

Another common behavior in four-month-old Golden Retrievers is biting and nipping. This behavior can be frustrating and even painful, but it’s important to understand why your puppy is behaving this way and how to redirect their behavior.

Understanding Why They Bite and Nip

Puppies bite and nip as a way to explore their environment and interact with other animals and people. However, this behavior can also be a sign of anxiety, fear, or discomfort. It’s important to observe your puppy’s body language and vocalizations to determine why they’re biting or nipping.

Teaching Them to Stop Biting and Nipping

Teaching your puppy to stop biting and nipping requires patience and consistency. Whenever your puppy bites or nips you, say “no” firmly and redirect their attention to an appropriate toy or activity. You can also yelp loudly to mimic the sound of a puppy in pain, which will help your puppy understand that biting and nipping are not acceptable.

Redirecting Their Biting and Nipping Behavior

Provide your puppy with plenty of appropriate chew toys to redirect their biting and nipping behavior. You can also teach your puppy the “leave it” command to help them learn what they can and can’t bite or nip.

Behavioral Issues in 4-month-old Golden Retrievers

Like all dogs, Golden Retrievers can experience behavioral issues that require training and management. Here are some common behavioral issues in four-month-old Golden Retrievers and how to address them:

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common issue in puppies, and Golden Retrievers are no exception. If your puppy becomes anxious when you leave the house, start by leaving for short periods of time and gradually increasing the amount of time you’re away. Provide your puppy with plenty of toys and activities to keep them occupied, and avoid making a big fuss when you leave or return.

Jumping up on People

Jumping up on people is a natural behavior for puppies, but it can be annoying and even dangerous if your puppy jumps on young children or elderly individuals. Teach your puppy the “off” command and reward them for keeping all four paws on the ground.

Aggression

Aggression in puppies can be a sign of fear, anxiety, or dominance. It’s important to address aggressive behavior as soon as possible, as it can become dangerous if left unchecked. Consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for help addressing aggressive behavior in your puppy.

Fearfulness

Fearfulness is a common issue in puppies, and it can lead to a variety of behavioral problems if not addressed. Start by providing your puppy with a safe and secure environment, and gradually expose them to new people, animals, and environments. Use positive reinforcement training techniques to build your puppy’s confidence and trust.

What is the recommended amount of sleep for a four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy?

If you’ve recently brought home a four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy, you may be wondering how much they should be sleeping. As it turns out, these adorable balls of energy need quite a bit of rest to keep up with their active lifestyles!

On average, a four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy will sleep anywhere from 18 to 12 hours per day. While this may seem like a lot, it’s important to remember that puppies, much like human infants, need plenty of sleep to support their growth and development.

But getting your puppy to actually settle down and sleep can be a challenge. Puppies can be restless and easily overstimulated, which can lead to them acting up and becoming unruly. That’s why it’s important to establish a nap time routine for your pup.

One way to do this is to use a crate or pen to confine your puppy to its sleep area. By doing this consistently, your puppy will learn to associate their crate with rest and relaxation, making it easier for them to settle down and sleep.

Another tip is to provide your puppy with a soft toy to chew on during nap time. Chewing helps puppies soothe themselves, much like how sucking on a pacifier can calm a human infant. You can also cover the crate with a towel or blanket to block out visual stimuli and turn on white noise to drown out distracting noises.

It’s important to note that while exercise is important for a puppy’s overall health, over-exercising can actually lead to an overtired and overstimulated pup. This can cause them to act out and become hyperactive, which can be difficult to manage.

So, if your puppy is acting rowdy, the first thing to consider is whether they’re getting enough sleep. Providing them with a structured nap time routine can help ensure they’re getting the rest they need to stay healthy and happy.

Conclusion

Raising a four-month-old Golden Retriever can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, but it requires patience, consistency, and dedication. By understanding your puppy’s behaviors and needs, you can provide them with the training and care they need to become happy, healthy, and well-behaved adult dog.


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