Core principles for your new companion
Adopting a golden is a lifelong promise.
These essentials will help you create a safe, healthy, and loving home for your new family member.
1. Love & Companionship
Provide your dog with love and companionship.
2. Leash Safety
Keep your dog on a leash when it is out of a fenced area – always!
3. Training & Manners
Enroll in a manners class with your new retriever.
4. Grooming & Care
Follow good grooming practices including regular brushing.
5. Quality Nutrition
Feed a premium quality food (no preservatives, by-products, animal digest or fillers) and always make water available.
6. Indoor Safety
Keep your dog as an inside dog; keep your dog inside your home when you are out of the house and close off any doggie doors. Do not leave your dog outside in your fenced backyard unsupervised.
7. Veterinary Care
Seek quality veterinary care for your golden with annual examinations. Give heartworm preventative as prescribed by your veterinarian – all 12 months of the year.
8. Stay Connected with GRRMF
Keep in touch with GRRMF about your retriever. Let us know if you have any problems or questions. If you move please send us your new contact information.
9. Return to GRRMF if Needed
Remember that if you can’t keep your retriever, GRRMF will accept the return of an adopted dog at any time and for any reason. Make sure all your family members, neighbors or your lawyer knows this fact and have our contact information, particularly if you live alone. Make sure your friends know to call us if something happens to you, rather than place your dog in a shelter.
10. No Electric Fences or Doggie Doors
Do not install an electric fence or doggie door. Your adoption contract does not permit use of an electric fence/collar with a GRRMF dog.
11. Proper Collar & ID
Keep a buckle-style collar on your dog with identification tags at all times. No prong or choke collars.
12. Monthly Health Checks
Check your dog monthly for any lumps and growths, even on the feet.
Your commitment helps every GRRMF golden live the safe, joyful, and deeply loved life they deserve.
