Are your puppies socialized?

• Our puppies are born in our home and stay in our home the entire 8 weeks. They live in our puppy/family room where they get lots of attention and love.  We put them on a socialization schedule at three weeks of age and begin a systematic program of acquainting the puppy with people and the surroundings that people live in.  By the time puppies are eight weeks of age they are, calm, at the beginning stages of house breaking, and ready to bond with their new families.  Using this systematic approach has brought us wonderful results including very happy customers.  According to research, by the time a puppy is eight weeks of age, their EEG readings are that of an adult dog.  By no means do they have the maturity of an adult dog but many of those behavior patterns have been set and our goal is to have them set with people in mind.  Socialization is one of our highest priorities. We at Y-Rock Ranch have worked hard to accumulated some of the best blood lines in the world but if a puppy is neglected during the first weeks of life, the puppy will likely end up maladjusted.

Do I need to place a deposit?

• Placing a deposit assures you a “pick” from current or upcoming litters. It is a non-refundable deposit. However, once a deposit has been placed you can change the puppy that the deposit is applied to. You will be contacted when it is time to pick out your puppy, which takes place when the litter is 6 weeks of age.  We will not hold a puppy until we receive a deposit unless we have a signed contract at which point we will allow five business days to receive the deposit by mail.  Communication is KEY.  If you think it will take longer for the deposit to arrive, please let us know so that we do not give your “pick”/puppy to someone else thinking you have changed your mind.  The balance of the money is due when you pick up the puppy or before the puppy is shipped.

How can I pay for my puppy?

• We accept money orders, cashier's checks, personal checks, cash, and PayPal (with a 3% courtesy charge). If sending a personal check, please allow additional time for check to clear before the expected delivery date.

• We do not schedule airline reservations for the puppy until payment and a signed contract is received. It takes at LEAST 2 business days to get confirmation of airlines reservations for the puppy.

Will my Golden make a good outdoor dog?

• The Golden Retriever is not intended to live as an outside dog because they are very people orientated and are miserable being separated from the family they love!  If you are not interested in keeping your Golden indoors, this is NOT the dog for you. A lonely Golden may bark incessantly, dig up the back yard or continuously escape and roam the neighborhood.

If I am the 4th person to give you a deposit for a “Pick”, do I get 4th choice?

• Usually “picks” are divided by male and female based on a certain litter.  If you had the “second pick male” then you would have the second choice of all of the males, etc. “Picks” are determined by the order we receive your contract/deposit.  But, the first person isn't always guaranteed "pick” of the litter." Y-Rock Ranch, LLC always reserve the right for “pick” of the litter. For example, we might want to keep a puppy. We also try to match up puppies with their new families based on the temperament testing we do.  This allows us to give you a good estimate on several aspects of the puppy’s personality and help you make an educated decision.

What are the main differences between a male and a female?

• Temperamentally, there is little difference between the sexes in Goldens. Neither sex is harder to housetrain, and both are equally intelligent and affectionate. Both are excellent with children, and both make excellent companions. Problems of aggressiveness, which males of other breeds may exhibit, should not occur in Golden Retrievers. Sex-related behavior such as mounting and marking may be exhibited by some male Goldens, particularly if other males are present or if the male has been used for breeding. Neutering a male dog before a year of age will help to alleviate the above problems.  Since there is no responsible reason NOT to spay a female (unless she was bought from a serious hobby breeder specifically for showing or breeding), the estrous cycle in the female need not be a consideration.”

Do you ship puppies and if so, what age?

• We regularly ship puppies but do not do so until the are 8 weeks old and weather conditions permit. Our puppies are very well socialized and used to the many different noises and commotions that go on inside and outside of our home.  This helps them adjust to the idea of noise and movement.   We do not sedate our puppies before flight.  Sedation isn’t necessary and may be dangerous.  We have flown puppies all over the world and all have done very well.  There should arrive happy and ready to meet their new family.

• If you are picking up your puppy, you may do so at 8 to 9 weeks.

How much is shipping?

• Shipping is $350 in addition the price of the puppy. Shipping includes crate, air fare, and health certificate charges.

Do you guarantee your dogs?

• Yes. Every puppy comes with a health guarantee of two years for hips and one year for all other genetic defects as part of your purchase (See Contract).  All of our adult dogs are screened for genetic defects and we will not breed a dog that is not “breed standard” and premium quality. If the new owner suspects their puppy has a problem, they should take the dog to their vet immediately. If the puppy is found to have a genetic defect, the owner must present us with the Vet certificate, stating the problem. We will then take the puppy to our Vet for a second opinion. If the diagnosis is the same from both Vets, We will replace the puppy within the guidelines of the contract.

Unlimited Registration /Breeding Rights?

• We do give out unlimited registration, but we are very selective to whom we give it to. There are many considerations to be taken into account and much testing that must happen before a dog is bred.  If we are comfortable that a breeder is aware of all time and cost that is required with unlimited registration and has the goodness of the breed at heart, then we will discuss unlimited or full registration.  In some situations, it can be added later once testing is done and the owner feels they are up to the rigors of showing dogs or raising puppies.

How much are your puppies? Are they AKC registered?

• It depends on the litter, gender, and registration classification (limited or unlimited), so prices will vary.  Please send us an email and we will let you know about our current litter.  Yes, all our puppies are AKC registered.

How often do I feed my puppy?

• Most puppies should be fed three times a day, until they are about 4 to 6 months old. Then change it to twice a day. Our puppies feeding times are 7 am, 12 noon, and 7 pm. It is harder to house break a puppy that always has access to a full food bowl.

What should I feed my puppy?

• We use and recommend Azmira dog food. It is the "Classic" formula and comes in either Beef or Lamb.  They enjoy both.  It is  a holistic dog food developed by a veterinarian in Tucson, AZ, but you can purchase at these locations.  It is a premium dog food and we have been very happy with the results with our own dogs as well as our puppies.  It is a little more expensive but worth every penny.  We recommend that you purchase a bag before you receive your dog to help with the transition.

How do I house break my puppy?

• First of all, realize that a puppy's body is not mature enough for muscle control of its bladder until it is 3 1/2 to 4 months of age. Bowel control is usually faster. Tips and tricks: PATIENCE, CONSISTENCY, AND ROUTINE! All puppies need their own secure sleeping area. (Crate) A puppy usually will not void or defecate in their sleeping area. Do not give a puppy food or water past 7 p.m. No food after 6 p.m. Obviously, this time can be adjusted if it is very hot or the puppy has had a big play time. This gives the puppy plenty of opportunity to be able to go to bed with an empty bladder. Keep the puppy in site at all times! After 20 minutes let the puppy outside and give the command, for example "go potty."

• Take puppy outside:

  • • As soon as a puppy wakes up.
    • Right after a puppy eats or drinks.
    • After 20 minutes of playtime.

• It doesn't take long for a puppy to learn. Make a schedule for "potty time," playtime, eating, etc. When you take the puppy outside always tell him "Outside." He then learns the command. If you catch a puppy in the act of having an accident in the house, pick him up mid-stream and say "no" in with a firm tone. NEVER hit a puppy or rub a puppies nose in his own mess. This does not teach the puppy anything good or positive. You can show the puppy the pee smelling cloth (after you clean it up) and say "No Potty in House." Then lovingly, but firmly take the puppy and the cloth outside. Put the cloth on the ground and say "Go Potty Outside." Let the puppy smell the cloth. Remember to watch your puppy closely and recognize the "need" for him to go outside.

I work, how can I properly raise a puppy?

• Working should not prohibit you from raising a puppy, however a puppy does demand extra time and attention, you will need to make provisions to care for your puppy.   Caring for a puppy brings responsibilities and obligations that need to be considered.  A puppy turns into a dog and a Golden will eventually grow to be between 65-80 lbs. and stand 21-26” high.  This puppy will need to be cared for on a daily basis for the next 10-16 years, this will become a family member, (living/breathing) not an item or thing that is disposable.

A puppy needs the following:

1. A puppy needs to relieve himself every 2-4 hours, until they are at least 6 months old.  Puppies generally defecate 5 to 6 times a day and urinate even more. 

2. You will need to get up during the night to take your puppy out.  An easy way to figure out how many hours a puppy can be expected to control their bladder is to take the puppy’s age in months and add 1.  For example a 4-month-old puppy will need to go out every 5 hours.

3. Housetraining a puppy can take at least 6 months.  With a daily time commitment of every 2-4 hours. 

4. A puppy will benefit from a socialization class at around 12-14 weeks old and an obedience class after 6 months.  

5. Puppies require a minimum of three 20-minute LOW-IMPACT (High Impact can and will cause Hip Dysplasia in a young dog) aerobic play sessions per day and older dogs need regular exercise on a daily basis.  A tired puppy is a calm puppy.

• If the time constraints of raising a puppy seem too much, an older rescue dog may better fit your needs. A listing of Golden Retriever Rescue groups can be found on the NRC web page at http://www.GRCA-NRC.org.