New puppy owners often have a lot of questions about how to best care for their golden retriever, and how to handle the rapid growth that comes with owning such an amazing breed. In this article, we’ll provide you with some helpful tips on how to care for your 4 week old golden retriever pup, including everything from nutrition to potty training and socialization. Read on for more!
Expectations of Your New Golden Retriever Puppy
Your new golden retriever puppy has high expectations of you! They are expecting you to provide them with a loving home, plenty of food and water, shelter, and exercise. 4 week old golden retriever puppies also need mental stimulation, so it is essential to provide them with toys and games that will help them use their minds. Finally, your puppy will need plenty of patience and love as they learn the ropes of being a good dog.
Golden Retriever Puppy Growth Checklist ✔
A golden retriever puppy growth chart is a great way to keep track of your puppy’s development. Here is a quick guide to help you out.
- ✔At 1 week old, your golden retriever puppy should weigh between 2 and 4 pounds.
- ✔By 2 week old, your golden retriever puppy should weigh between 4 and 8 pounds.
- ✔At 3 week old, your golden retriever puppy should weigh between 8 and 12 pounds.
- ✔By 4 week old golden retriever puppy should weigh between 12 and 16 pounds.
- ✔At 5 week old, your golden retriever puppy should weigh between 16 and 20 pounds.
Puppy Care: What To Do And When
Assuming you have brought your 4 week old golden retriever puppy home, here are some things you need to do to take care of them:
- The first thing you need to do is get your puppy used to their new environment and family. This means letting them explore their new home, and yard and meeting all the family members.
- During this time, begin socialization training with your 4 week old golden retriever. This includes taking them on short walks around the neighborhood, visits to friends’ and family members’ homes, and exposure to different types of people, kids, and animals.
- At 4 week old golden retriever will also need to start potty training. You can do this by using a designated area in your yard for them to go potty and rewarding them when they do their business there. You can also use potty pads inside if you prefer.
- It is also vital to start crate training your 4 week old golden retriever. This will help them get used to being in a crate for car rides or when you leave the house. Begin by putting their food and water in the crate and leaving it open for them to come in and out as they please. Then slowly start closing the door for short periods of time while you are still home. Eventually, they will be comfortable being in the crate for more extended periods of time while you are away from home.
Week 0 – 4: Golden Retriever Puppy Care
Assuming you have just brought your 4 week old golden retriever puppy home, the first few weeks are crucial in terms of their health and development. Here are a few things to keep in mind during those first few weeks:
- Puppies need a lot of sleep at age of 4 week old golden retriever ! They will likely sleep 18-20 hours a day.
- Make sure they have a designated sleeping area that is quiet and free from distractions.
- Puppies need to be fed small meals several times a day. Ask your veterinarian about how much and how often to feed your particular puppy.
- Puppies need to be taken outside frequently to relieve themselves. They may not have full control of their bladder yet so don’t expect them to hold it for long periods of time.
- Begin crate training your puppy so they get used to spending time in their crate. This will make it easier when it comes time to travel or leave them home alone. Start with short periods of time and gradually increase the amount of time they spend in their crate.
- Socialization is important at this age! Introduce your puppy to as many different people, places, and experiences as possible. This will help them grow into confident and well-adjusted dogs.
Week 1: Golden Retriever Development Stage
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds, and it’s no wonder why. They’re intelligent and affectionate and make great family dogs. But before you bring home your new golden retriever puppy, it’s important to understand their development stages and what care they need at each stage.
Physical Development: At one week old, your golden retriever puppy is still very fragile. They’ll be blind and deaf at this stage, unable to regulate their body temperature. This means that it’s important to keep them warm and safe in a clean environment.
Feeding Schedule: Your 4 week old golden retriever puppy will need to eat every 4-6 hours during the day, but they won’t be able to eat solid food until they are at least 4 weeks old. For now, feed them a high-quality puppy formula or milk replacer.
Week 2: Golden Retriever Feeding & Nutrients
As a new golden retriever owner, it’s important to know how to properly feed and care for your pup. This first week is critical for your golden’s health and development, so be sure to follow these tips!
When it comes to feeding, always consult with your veterinarian first. They will be able to recommend the best type of food and schedule for your golden retriever. For the first few weeks, you’ll likely need to feed them small meals several times a day. Be sure to monitor their weight and growth closely, as this can give you insight into whether they’re getting enough nutrition.
In addition to proper nutrition, hydration is also key for golden retrievers. Always have fresh water available for them and make sure they’re getting enough fluids throughout the day. If you notice that your pup is urinating more frequently or seems lethargic, contact your vet right away as this could be a sign of dehydration.
Week 3: Golden Retriever Vaccinations
4 week old golden retriever puppies need a series of vaccinations to help them build immunity to diseases. The first set of shots is typically given when the puppy is six to eight weeks old. Your veterinarian will likely recommend a booster shot four weeks later. After that, your puppy will need annual vaccinations.
Some of the most common vaccines for golden retrievers include:
- Rabies: Rabies is a deadly virus that can infect all mammals, including dogs. All puppies should be vaccinated against rabies.
- Canine parvovirus (CPV): CPV is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in dogs. Puppies are especially susceptible to this disease, so it’s important to make sure they’re vaccinated against it.
- Canine distemper: Canine distemper is a viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It can be deadly, so it’s important to vaccinate your puppy against it.
- Bordetella bronchiseptica: Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacteria that causes respiratory illness in dogs. It’s often called “kennel cough” because it’s commonly spread in places where dogs are kept together, such as kennels and shelters. This vaccine is not required, but it’s recommended if your puppy will be around other dogs on a regular basis.
What to Do If Your Golden Retriever is Not Eating?
If your golden retriever is not eating, the first thing you should do is consult your veterinarian. There are many possible reasons why your dog may be off its food, and it is important to rule out any underlying medical conditions. If there is no medical reason for your dog’s loss of appetite, there are a few things you can try to get them back on track.
One simple way to encourage your dog to eat is to make mealtime more interactive. Try playing with your dog before feeding them, or offering them small pieces of food by hand. You can also try changing up their diet a bit, adding in some new and interesting flavors or textures. If all else fails, remember that puppies can sometimes go through periods of fussy eating – so try not to worry too much and just give them time.
How to Potty Train a Gold Retriever?
One of the first things you need to do when you bring your gold retriever home is to start potty training. Potty training a golden retriever is very similar to potty training any other breed of dog. The key is to be consistent and patient. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Choose a designated area for your golden retriever to go potty. It can be in your backyard, a nearby park, or even inside your house on a puppy pad. The important thing is that you are consistent with where you take your gold retriever to go potty.
- Take your gold retriever to the designated potty area often, especially after meals, naps, and playtime.
- Reward your gold retriever when he or she goes potty in the designated area with treats, praise, or both.
- Never punish your golden retriever for accidents – this will only make the potty training process more difficult and stressful for both of you.
- Be patient – it may take several weeks (or even months) for your golden retriever to master the potty training process.
Caring for a Sick 4 Week Old Golden Retriever Puppy
Assuming you have a sick golden retriever puppy, there are a few things you can do to care for it. Depending on the severity of the illness, you may need to take your pup to the vet for treatment. However, there are some things you can do at home to help ease your pup’s symptoms.
If your pup has a minor illness, such as kennel cough or diarrhea, you can try treating them at home. For kennel cough, you can give your pup steam treatments and make sure they rest and drink plenty of fluids. You should also take them to the vet to get checked out and make sure there is no underlying infection. For diarrhea, make sure your pup is drinking plenty of fluids and eating a bland diet. If the diarrhea is severe or lasts more than a day or two, take your pup to the vet.
More serious illnesses will require treatment from a veterinarian. If your pup has an infection, it will likely need antibiotics. If they have parvovirus, distemper, or another serious virus or disease, they will need intensive care from a professional. In these cases, it is best to err on the side of caution and take your pup to the vet as soon as possible for treatment.
Conclusion
Caring for a 4 week old Golden Retriever can be both challenging and rewarding. It is important to provide your puppy with the proper nutrition, exercise, and socialization to ensure they grow up healthy and happy. With these tips in mind, you should now have the information necessary to give your Golden Retriever pup all of the care it needs. Enjoy this time spent with your pup as they grow up into adorable adult dogs!