The following is my opinion and suggestions on the topics below. You may or may not agree with what I say. I hope you will find it helpful. If not you can find a multitude of documents on line and in book shops to help you with your new pup.
Topics: Selecting your new puppy
Choosing your new puppy will be great fun, but think carefully about the sort of dog you would prefer and the life style that you will given them. When selecting the puppy be guided by the breeder. They will have spent many hours with the puppies and will be able to advise you about a puppy's temperament. What may appear to be a quiet puppy may be the life and soul of the litter who has just had a mad half hour and worn himself out! If colour is important to you, bear in mind the puppies will all look considerably lighter at this age than they will end up. The colour of their ears gives an approximate guide to their ultimate colour.
Firstly decide on the ground rules. What you allow the puppy to do at 8 weeks, it will expect to be able to do at 16 weeks and 60 weeks etc. Remember that 10lb puppy will grow into a 60lb or 70lb hound. If you let it cuddle up on the sofa as a young pup it will find it hard to understand when you suddenly start to stop it from going on that soft comfortable bed as it gets older. The same goes for rooms. Decide which rooms the dog will be allowed in, if you are not happy for them to share your entire home. Set these rule early and stick by them. It is easier to start off strict and limiting and then relax them, than it is to start too relaxed and tighten the rules.
Secondly prepare the home. Lift any objects that you do not want your puppy to get hold of or accidentally knock. Remember having a puppy around the house is the same as having a young child. Both are inquisitive, accident prone and unable to determine what is likely to cause them harm.
Decide where your new puppy is going to sleep and then buy a basket, bed or at the very least a blanket that they can associate as their own bed. It is good to have a blanket in the bed and basket so that if you go away and are pushed for space, you can take just the blanket.
Dogs need there own toys and lots of them. Goldens love soft toys and will often carry them around and bring them to you when they get excited. Having they own toys not only keeps them amused and gives them something to play with, but also helps in training them what they can and cannot chew. Make sure the toys are not too small that could be swallowed.
Goldens are easy to train, but like all dogs you do need to dedicate a lot of time to be train them properly. Done properly, you will be rewarded by an obedient, loving and adorable companion. There are many different schools of thought to do with training. I believe in positive training, involving reward and praise when the dog has done well and firm but gentle discipline when they have done wrong. This method has always worked excellently for me. If you are not confident about training, then there are plenty of books available. If you have never owned a dog then you should consider formal obedience classes. Look for ones that deal in positive training (rewards and praise) and not negative (shouting, berating and belittling). Golden are easy to train, but bad methods can soon develop problems.
One of the fun games I play is Hide and Seek. Firstly with toys and then with me. When playing this game outside, make sure you can see your puppy at all time and be in a position to rescue them immediately if they go the wrong way or get distracted. Off the lead training is vital at a very early age. Make sure you carry a bag of tasty treats with you at all times. Make sure you are interesting to come back, lots of praise and playing. This coupled with some treats will work everytime.
When you are out and about make sure that there is only one person giving your puppy commands. More than one will only serve to confuse them, especially if they are different, as they often will be. There is no problem with taking turns, but ensure only one person is boss at any one time.
You will soon discover that puppies need to go to the toilet regularly. They go straight after drinking, eating, waking up and midway through playing. You should take your puppy outside as soon as it has done any of the above or if you see it prepare to squat. It is best to carry them to begin with, else they will go on route. You may find it useful to associate the activity with a command by repeating it as the dog prepares to go and during the act, I use "be quick". Once the act is done reward with heaps of praise. If it has an accident inside then just clean it up. Do not scold it, unless you catch it in the act, as this will only confuse the puppy, and NEVER push its nose in to the mess.
Goldens are clean and the puppy will soon want to get this right to please you, associating the act outside with happy owner and the act inside with none. Remember that the puppy will not be able to contain itself throughout the night until it is at least 4 months old, so remember to lay newspaper as near to the door as possible for it to use. It will soon realize what these are for.
Goldens shed their hair continuously and in vast quantities. You will definitely have to Hoover regularly: A Dyson upright is whole heartedly recommended!
You should introduce your puppy to grooming as early as possible. Use a soft brush and a metal comb. The puppy will think this wonderful and an excellent time for a game of chewing the brush. As the puppy grow try to get it to stand still for you, as this will make it much easier later in life. As well as caring for the coat, this presents an excellent opportunity to ensure that no live stock (fleas and Ticks) have tried to hitch a ride whilst you were out on your walk.
Your puppy needs to be inoculated against distemper and other diseases before it can come into contact with other dogs and to go out in public. The first jab is normally done at eight weeks with a booster at twelve weeks. A booster is required every twelve months. You should seek professional advice from you local vet as exact treatments vary.
If you live in the UK and wish to travel abroad or live outside the UK and wish to visit then you must get a pet passport. Full details can be found at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - DEFRA website link in the useful links page.
Full information can be found on distemper, fleas, ticks, and worms in the useful links page.