Help me understand my golden retriever.

[Katie1]

Get rid of the friend then you can spend more time with the dog! IF they were a better friend they figure out things to inc the dog. Sounds like they want you to themselves! Lifestyles change & the dog will adapt. You can do things on your day off with the dog ENJOY!

[young92]

I've owned golden retrievers for more than 20 years. I compete with them in obedience competitions. They come to work with me. They are my constant companions. Goldens would rather be with their people than with other dogs. I have several acres of pasture, surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods. As far as my goldens are concerned, none of this is interesting unless I am out there with them. To a golden, everything is more fun with their people.

Everyone that has posted here is right. your dog is bored and lonely. Longer walks, more quality time and possibly hiring someone to walk him in the middle of the day will all help alleviate his boredom. As he gets older, he will look to you more for security and reassurance that all is right in his world. Spend more time with him and give him plenty of toys to play with while you are gone.

[Regina14]

Originally Posted by rishi851

First up I think I made a mistake buying a dog. It is a huge investment of emotion, time and energy.
My golden retriever is 7 years old. I bought him as a puppy and have loved him so much. Back then I did not have a job and took him everywhere.

I got a job last year and so I am usually away the whole day. I make sure my mother feeds him on time and I take him for a walk for half an hour once in the morning and again after I return. Am I doing enough?
Because lately I've noticed that he has a very dejected look. We live in an apartment and thus he is always enclosed in the house, except for the walk. He sleeps alone outside my room. When my friend came to visit me for a few days he was the one who pointed out that your dog isn't getting the life he deserves.

What does a golden retriever need to be happy? Lots of greenery and nature? When I walk him he is over the moon- exploring, jumping, hyperactive. But obviously I can't do it all the time.
What about the in house activity? Is he lonely or needs more attention or pampering?
Or am I just being sensitive. That's what they do?

I have a friend who has a full-time job, lives in an apartment, and has an apparently happy Golden Retriever. The dog is frequently walked on-leash during the day and off-leash on the weekends; and shares the home with a cat. Either my friend or her dog walker takes the dog out in the middle of the day.

You should hire or find someone to take your Golden out during the day, he needs more human contact; or find a doggy daycare where you can leave him for the day.

[young92]

Everyone has encouraged you to keep your dog and has given you good advice on how to proceed from here.
Hopefully you will give this a try and work a little harder with your dog because I guarantee that your home is the home your golden wants to be in. But when all is said and done, if you decide that you truly cannot keep your dog, I encourage you to call a local Golden Retriever Rescue and not the local shelter. Golden Rescue will place your dog in a foster home and he will never be stuck in a kennel run with dozens of other stressed out dogs. He will be cared for by people who know and understand the breed and they will work hard at finding the perfect home. Hopefully it won't get to this point but if it does, Golden Rescue will work with you.

[txdemo]

It's been 2 years so I figure he's sorted it out by now.

[young92]

ah poop! I try to catch the dates on these posts. Hate it when that happens