Principles of Care

The Breed Grooming Training Training Health & Diet Vaccination
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Understand the Breed

According to AKC registration statistics, the Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Our Goldens have proven to be loyal, kind and eager to please.

They get high marks in intelligence and if trained properly will be the delight of the new owner. (This means fewer misunderstandings about where their bathroom should be as well as many more positive habits and skills.) These dogs want to be obedient and they want to please you! Goldens are energetic and need daily activity. Be prepared to commit time each day for a walk or playing catch. These guys and gals love to run so please consider what that might look like with your lifestyle when planning for the perfect dog for you and your family. Be prepared for a dog that loves your company, sits quietly at your feet and is always happy to see you. If true companionship is what you long for in your dog, you have come to the right place. The Golden Retriever is for you.

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Golden Retrievers have a water repellent double coat that will shed seasonally and requires regular grooming. We love grooming our dogs here at Council House and have found many great tools to help us get the job done.

For grooming tools of exceptional quality, and the shampoo and conditioner we use, go to www.chrissystems.com.  Our favorites are the Spectrum 10 Shampoo and Conditioner,  and Ice on Ice Shampoo and Conditioner.   You’ll love either choice!

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We recommend Valor K9 Academy for all your training needs.

Valor K9 Academy specializes in puppy training, family dog obedience, and service dogs. They offer in-person training services to the greater Boise area, and they also have a comprehensive online training platform that is just perfect for all our new puppy parents.

We love Valor’s rewards-based approach to training. It works wonders on our dogs with their lovely dispositions and eager personalities. Our beloved Stella (from Rachel x Krys) is the star of their Puppy Head Start program. Valor is simply the best!

For in-person training, their website is: www.valork9academy.com.

For their virtual training courses, go to www.valork9academyonline.com.

We do not receive any commission from Valor K9 Academy for our recommendation. They did give us a discount code to share with our puppy parents. Enter code COUNCILHOUSE at checkout for 10% off your virtual training program. You will love their training!

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Your Golden puppy comes with a built-in desire to please you and only needs you to show him how to accomplish that.

A number of years ago I was given the privilege of observing a professional dog trainer teach a class of 4-H students how to train their dogs for agility. It was so much fun and quickly became much more. I could see the change that came over both child and dog alike as they gained more and more confidence with each mastered skill. I hope you can see what these images have tried to capture as my granddaughter and our sire, William, go through the course. Can you see them smiling?!! Training is so much more than teaching a command. It’s about relationship and trust and a way to communicate with your dog.

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The cornerstone of our promise in breeding Goldens comes from the application of the information found in the following books and websites.

We cannot stress enough the importance of diet for good health. Carefully researched use of vaccines and natural remedies can go a long way in respecting and protecting the natural immune system of our dogs and, we believe, contribute to a long life with exceptional health. The following resources will help you make an informed choice in your companions diet and veterinary care.

  • Dogs Naturally Magazine(http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/)
  • Food Pets Die For, Shocking Facts About Pet Food by Ann N. Martin
  • Give Your Dog A Bone and The Barf Diet both by Ian Billinghurst
  • Raw & Natural Nutrition for Dogs by Lew Olson
  • Switching to Raw: A Fresh Food Diet For Dogs That Make Sense by Susan K. Johnson
  • What Vets Don’t Tell You About Vaccines by Catherine O’Driscoll
  • Vaccines Explained: The Wholistic Vet’s Guide to Vaccinating Your Dog by Dr. Laurie S. Coger
  • www.wholedognews.com
  • http://healthypets.mercola.com
  • Our research has led us to agree with the vaccination schedule suggested by Dr. Jean Dodds and can be found at http://www.bmd.org/health/Vaccinations.html. Your puppy will come to your home using this vaccination schedule for his appropriate age listed below:
  • Dr. W. Jean Dodds Minimal Vaccine-use ProtocolThe following vaccine protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and personal choice.
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Perform vaccine antibody titers for distemper and parvovirus annually thereafter. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request.

9 – 10 weeks
Distemper, Parvovirus – Modified Live Virus (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy DPV)
14 weeks
Distemper, Parvovirus – Modified Live Virus
16 -18 weeks
Distemper, Parvovirus – Modified Live Virus (optional)
20 weeks +
Rabies (if allowable by law)
1 year
Distemper, Parvovirus – Modified Live Virus
1 year
Rabies, killed 3-year product (give 3-4 weeks apart from distemper/parvovirus booster)

To help you in the search for a veterinarian that is a good fit for you go to http://www.alternativepethealth.com/holistic-vets.html.