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Raising a Cedar Rock Puppy: A Training Timeline for the First Year
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Bringing home a puppy is the start of a long, wonderful education, and not just for the puppy. Here at Cedar Rock Golden Retrievers we tell every family the same thing: this takes months and years, not days. There is no rushing it, and honestly, you would not want to. The slow work of…
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This is a much anticipated ANNOUNCEMENT
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MEET BABY: We are so excited to announce that we have officially begun the processes of assessing a new FEMALE GOLDEN RETRIEVER to welcome in to our breeding program. The litter was born on August 16, 2026 at Hoekema Homestead. Their mom, Noni is as sweet as pie. She is extraordinary in every way possible. She possesses…
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When You Do Everything Right, and Things Still Go Wrong
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*A post about pregnancy care, whelping emergencies, and the heartbreak no breeder ever wants to write about.* This week our community lost a beautiful English Cream Golden Retriever momma. Her breeder did what good breeders do. She was in whelp with momma and her twelve magical puppies. Everything had gone well right up until it…
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Cedar Rock Puppy Scorecard
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Females Itty 16.5 oz Bitty 12.8 oz Thimble 14.3 oz Pebbles 13.7 oz Males for reference: Buttons 16.2 oz, Snippet 14.2 oz. Six pups total, whelped in about three hours. Weight Gain Benchmarks (the early tiebreaker) – Day 1: up to about 10 percent loss from birth weight is normal. More than that, flag…
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All Is Right in the World Today
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Yesterday afternoon and into the evening, I had the privilege of helping a first-time Golden Retriever momma welcome six adorable puppies into the world. There was something deeply special about being present for a litter’s arrival—especially because the mother was experiencing whelping for the first time. The room was quiet and purposeful. Every sound,…
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Puppy Training – Three Fun Recall Games
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Build a fast, happy recall by making coming to you the best part of the game. Use small, high-value treats and keep sessions short and upbeat. Treat Scatter & Run 1. Scatter a few treats on the ground for your dog to find. 2. While your dog is eating, run about 15 feet away.…
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Easy Frozen Treats for Golden Retrievers
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Warm days are made for simple adventures—lake trips, sprinkler games, shady naps, and, of course, a little something special from the freezer. Homemade frozen treats are such an easy way to add a bit of fun and enrichment to your Golden Retriever’s day. Best of all, many can be made with a few dog-friendly…
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Puppy Training Basics: The Most Important Lessons to Begin Right Away
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Bringing home a Golden Retriever puppy is exciting, joyful, and often a little overwhelming. There are so many things a new Golden Retriever puppy will eventually learn—but during the first few weeks at home, the goal is not to teach everything at once. Instead, focus on the lessons that help a Golden Retriever puppy…
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Simple Brain Games and Positive Training for Golden Retrievers
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At Cedar Rock Golden Retrievers, we believe training is about so much more than teaching commands. It is one of the best ways to build trust, grow your relationship, and help your Golden Retriever become a confident, happy member of the family. We also believe in keeping training positive. Positive reinforcement training means rewarding…