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HankAndHomer.com was started in 2010 by a couple of golden retriever owners who just love all the funny stuff that their goldens, Hank and Homer, do. Please enjoy the site and let us know what you think in the comments. Or use our contact form to get in touch! Thanks!
Hank & Homer (Golden Retrievers): At home lounging
From the Fall 2009 edition of the North Texas Golden newsletter:
HANK and HOMER were young puppies picked up as strays by a municipal Animal Control and released to GRRNT. Kerry and Julie Dean adopted the pair together and immediately began obedience training with them. Their trainer taught the couple to be firm in their leadership so that the puppies know the humans are in charge. Sit and Stay were the most helpful commands. The dogs sit and stay before going outside, eating their food, at every street corner, and every time a car drives by. They quickly learned to sit because the Deans made it a rule not to pet them unless they were sitting. They also read a Cesar Milan book and “Dog Training for Dummies” for guidance.
Adopting a single puppy is a challenge at times for most adopters. Adopting two littermate puppies simultaneously presents even more challenges. They consulted a behaviorist about the issues they might face with a double adoption and were advised to separate their crates in the beginning, as well as training and walking them separately. They were cautioned that otherwise the dogs would not bond with them unless they worked on breaking the dogs’ attachment to each other. Separation was tough because the dogs initially howled for each other across the house. Today Hank and Homer do not experience separation anxiety from each other and are secure and confident on their own. It took a few weeks before the puppies were housebroken.
The Deans recommend crate training for help with housebreaking, puppy chewing, and mischief. Using crates gave them security knowing the dogs were safe while the couple was away or could not keep their eye on them, especially right after adoption. The dogs now view the crates as a safe place and both voluntarily rest in them from time to time, especially when the vacuum cleaner is in use. Julie cautions other puppy adopters not to spend a lot of money on a nice bed for a crate at first. Both Hank and Homer chewed the stuffing out of their bedding. Julie found it funny to come home one day and see both dogs sitting in a cloud of stuffing! Both dogs are content with a bare crate and will push towels aside in favor of the floor. They are strong chewers and the Deans find stuffed Kongs and sterilized bones from the pet store have the greatest duration. Both dogs also love to steal socks from the humans. While Homer will immediately drop the sock when caught, Hank will roll over and act cute with it. They also enjoy playing tug of war with them.
The family is still working on jumping when the dogs are excited or when guests visit. The dogs are put in a sit/stay away from the door when visitors arrive. If the dogs get up they are corrected and the visitors are asked to turn around and come in again. Visitors are also asked not to touch or pay attention to them unless they are sitting. The dogs go on two walks a day and get playtime in the back yard to channel their puppy energy. They also are trained for a few minutes each day to focus their mental energies. The Deans are planning to add children to the family in the near future and the their training efforts now will help when children arrive. Julie says, “Hank and Homer are the sweetest, goofiest, most lovable dogs and we have no doubt they will be respectful of a new baby”.
***Courtesy of the North Texas Golden Retriever Rescue. Sign up for their quarterly newsletters!
