Activities For Golden Cocker Retrievers
1k Views
0 Comments
0 Votes
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
A hybrid dog bred in recent times, Golden Cocker Retrievers are friendly pets who are easy to train and eager to please. Typically, you can get a Golden Cocker Retriever by crossing a Standard Golden Retriever with an English Cocker Spaniel. If you encounter a Golden Cocker Retriever while you're out and about, however, chances are that these breeds have a few other dogs mixed in with them as well - typically having a bit of American Cocker Spaniel or Poodle in their DNA depending on where this meeting takes place. Overall, Golden Cocker Retrievers are outstanding dogs with a lot of great aspects to their characters. These dogs are also very active pets, so be prepared to break a sweat if you adopt one of these pups.
Mixing and Mingling
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Easy
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Dog Leash
Activity description
Socializing a dog at an early age is such a vital part to properly rearing a dog that it ought to be one of the first activities a new parent should do with their dog - right after naming them of course! This activity is very easy overall and can be done without having to spend a single cent. Furthermore, you can socialize your Golden Cocker Retriever during any kind of weather so long as you make the proper adjustments; too rainy or windy outside, even with an umbrella? Stay indoors and schedule a doggy playdate with your friends and their pets! Too stuffy inside? Head over to your local beach or park to socialize your pet. This activity is very flexible and, because we feel that we can't stress this enough, absolutely free!
Step
1
Get into the mix
Socialization is all about helping a young dog understand how they should and shouldn't treat others. Golden Cocker Retrievers are very smart and handle directions very well, so you likely won't have to spend as much time admonishing one of these little guys as you would have to spend with another dog breed. If anything, your Golden Cocker Retriever will be all too eager to make friends with everyone they encounter.
Step
2
Indoor socialization
Within the confines of your own home, apartment, or loft you'll have complete control over this exercise. You should take this opportunity to invite your friends and family members over to meet your dog while they are still a young puppy. Socializing your Golden Cocker Retriever at this young age will help them bond with your loved ones and come to think of them as an extension of yourself.
Step
3
Other Dogs
Golden Cocker Retrievers aren't just friendly and kind to humans - they also will act very amicably with other animals as well. Taking your dog to the beach or the park, two places where you're very likely to encounter other dogs and pet parents, is a good way to help your pet get used to the company of other canines. You can also take your dog to your local pet shop so they can get used to the sight, sound, and smell of other animal species.
Love this activity?
Grooming and Styling
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Normal
45 min
Items needed
Brushes
Scissors
Combs
Dog-Safe Shampoo
Towel
Activity description
Golden Cocker Retrievers have been blessed with naturally healthy and luscious coats. If you're so inclined, you can style your dog's coat in all sorts of fun ways either by hand or by getting in touch with a professional pet groomer. Most pet groomers will charge between $30 to $90 for their services, while most pet grooming kits won't cost more than $40 or $50. It's up to you to weigh your options and figure out which route you want to take, but you should be able to do this activity during any kind of weather if you do it indoors. In fact, a grooming session is the perfect way to bond any day of the week!
Step
1
Steady hands
If you're intent on cutting and styling your dog's hair on your own, you may want to spend some time learning basic canine anatomy; once you know where your dog's important nerves and arteries are, you'll know where to avoid cutting too deeply. It's best to clump your dog's hair up and pull it away from their skin to reduce the chance of nipping your Golden Cocker Retriever drastically. Gently comb out tangles and clip areas that may have mats or snags. A shampoo is in order if you have the space; bathing can also be a fun activity outside on a sunny day.
Step
2
Professional help
Most pet stores offer pet grooming services at discounted prices for long-time members. If you know that you're going to frequent a particular chain in the future, then it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get a membership there in order to reap the benefits of your patronage later on. Dog groomers are adept at making your dog feel secure and comfortable and can also get through the process quickly if need be.
Love this activity?
Round Robin Recall
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Easy
20 - 30 min
Items needed
Dog Treats
Activity description
This cheap activity incorporates elements of obedience training and pet socialization into it in order to help dogs learn their names. For this activity, you'll need a group of at least three participants and a few doggy treats on hand. You and your participants will then need to form a circle around your dog and take turns calling them over. When your Golden Cocker Retriever comes galloping over to you, hand them a treat and shower them with praise. After your dog finishes nibbling on the snack, the next person will need to call the dog over to them. An easy 30 minutes of fun is to be had, all for the price of a few treats.
Step
1
One at a time
This isn't the most difficult activity out there, so you don't really need to worry about remembering too many rules. The closest thing this game has to a rule is to just make sure that everyone goes one after the other so as to not overwhelm your Golden Cocker Retriever. There should be a flow to this game; your dog's name is called by a participant, your dog comes over, is given a treat, and then their name is called by another. Rinse, wash and repeat until the treats are all gone.
Step
2
Mix and match
You and your participants don't have to take your turns in any particular order. In fact, mixing up the order that you all call your dog's name will stimulate your Golden Cocker Retriever's mind and keep them on their toes. Rather than mechanically take turns in a rigid order, keep things interesting by keeping the order random for a bit.
Love this activity?
More Fun Ideas...
Swimming
Golden Retrievers are some of the best natural born swimmers in the canine kingdom. English Cocker Spaniels are also very good swimmers in their own right, so one can expect a Golden Cocker Retriever to be pretty adept in the water as well. Start with small, shallow bodies of water before moving on to deeper water.
Musical Freestyle
There's actually an entire sport in which extra dedicated pet parents develop intricate dance numbers with their dogs before strutting their stuff in front of large audiences. These dances are choreographed in such a way that certain maneuvers are performed in tandem with specific musical cues, hence the name Canine Musical Freestyle.
Taste Testing
If you've got a soft spot for the culinary arts, you can employ your dog as a sort of impromptu taste tester when you're making certain dishes. If you're cooking steak, chicken, turkey, or most kinds of meat based protein, you can feed your dog pieces of cooked meat to see how they like it. The meat has to be cooked though, as a dog is just as likely to get sick from uncooked meat as a human would. To reiterate for safety reasons, cooked meat is okay, uncooked meat should be kept away.
Conclusion
One would be hard pressed to describe a Golden Cocker Retriever as needy; these dogs are not only incredibly self-sufficient but they also don't need much in terms of physical activity or grooming requirements. These facts alone are enough to make Golden Cocker Retrievers great additions to any family of any size. Couple them with the Golden Cocker Retriever's incredibly friendly demeanor and "can-do" attitude, and you have a pet that's more than eager to embark on all sorts on zany and unforgettable journeys with you. Since Golden Cocker Retrievers are medium sized dogs, you won't need that much space to accommodate them either.