Carlee

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 I found Golden Retriever Haven and Allan’s kennel online. 3 days after I lost my second beloved 14-year-old Golden Retriever to cancer.  Luckily, Allan just happened to have a 4-week-old litter from Angel and Hunter with 3 puppy choices still open.  I wasn’t sure if it was the right time for me to be getting a new puppy as I had a lot of uncertainty in my life at that time.

But I realized no time is perfect and I needed another Golden to help fill the emptiness in my heart.  I have had a golden at home over the last 18 years.  After checking with other breeders in the eastern provinces. I could not find any suitable puppies that were becoming available soon. I was a bit hesitant and cautious about dealing with a breeder without being able to be physically visiting them myself.  I worried about picking a pup without seeing her, as I always had picked my pup.  However after talking with Allan, I instantly had a good gut feeling about him and trusted him.

 I was left with the impression he is breeder who is proud, knowledgeable, and cares about his dogs and the health and temperament of the breed.  I still did my own research myself of the of the parent’s pedigree lines and previous generation breeders and kennels from what I could find.  Health and Longevity were my biggest concern.  Just coming through multitudes of health issues in the last few years of my last golden’s life.  And knowing other local golden owners who also had health issues. Allan was very reassuring and accommodating in what I wanted in my next dog.  I had a bucket list of preferences and priorities, Dark coat, contrasting dark/white colour, smaller body size, head shape like Hunter. Medium activity level, natural hunter and retriever. Confident, not fearful. Intelligent and Easy to train.  He was willing to work with me to pick a pup as close to what I wanted with the pups within my choice. He was patient and very helpful in finally getting her delivered here to me In New Brunswick. I hadn’t met Carlee yet but I loved her already. So I anxiously waited for her arrival, when she was ready. So at 8 weeks   my son who lives and works in Alberta picked up his new little sister and drove her across the country to my home in New Brunswick.

Carlee quickly adjusted and traveled well in her crate propped between the two front seats. She had a 4-day view of the highway.

Since she arrived she has brought such joy, focus and a routine back to the whole family.  She is very willing to please, very smart and catches on quick to any training. She gets most concepts in one session with a few treats. The second day I had her, She was sitting and staying for her food dish. And she loves food, any food.  She is very food and toy motivated.  Tug Ropes especially and all my electronic charging cables, not moved away from her reach have suffered.  I have her on a feeding schedule, so housebreaking has been easy, She quickly does her stuff when let outside, just a few accidents inside when people aren’t paying attention, At 4 months she mastered on command, give a paw and lay down. Roll over, Speak and Heel. She also loves to retrieve, everything and instantly willing to bring her toy right to your hand to throw it again. At 13 weeks, she retrieved a grouse. At 20 weeks a small duck.  Her first hunting experiences and she was not scared of the shotgun.

 She learned with three treats the concept of targeting to the palm of my hand. And will come running full tilt and nose plant on my hand.  This comes in handy getting her to move where I want to position her and get her to come.  She is moderately active, Lots of energy to go for a walk in the woods. She has a brief time through the day she gets pretty wound up and mischievous, but the majority of the time she is content to cuddle and nap or go for a long drive.  She sleeps all night and likes to sleep in but wakes me up by sitting on my head or pillow.

Off leash She never wanders off very far, stays close by her people, content to amuse herself.  Her personality is really starting to show now, she has an exceptional smeller, is very determined and thinks for herself, definitely a climber, pretty confident and adjusts to new things pretty quick. I have to be very careful where I put things because she will try to find a way to climb and get it.  I am very satisfied with her. And if I could, I would not hesitate to get another.