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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…
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Leaving Our Goldens for a San Juan Islands Adventure
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Leaving a puppy behind is never easy, but leaving two beloved Goldens at home felt nearly impossible. We recently took a seven-day, six-night trip aboard our little boat, island-hopping through the beautiful San Juan Islands. We were excited for days of hiking, exploring quiet coves, and watching the incredible local wildlife—but saying goodbye to…
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Canine Good Citizen Training For Golden Retriever Puppies
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Cedar Rock Golden Retriever Puppy CGC Training
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Camping With Puppies: A July 4th Adventure on Orcas Island
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Camping with a puppy can be such a beautiful experience. It offers time together, new sights and sounds, and gentle opportunities for early socialization. At the same time, it also asks us to be thoughtful and intentional, especially when it comes to a young puppy’s comfort and safety. Young puppies have a harder time…
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Sleeping Under the Wing: A Dreamy 4th of July on Orcas Island
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Sleeping in a tent under the wing of a small airplane on a quiet Pacific Northwest island sounds like a dream—because it was. That’s exactly how we spent our 4th of July weekend, and it turned out to be one of the most magical experiences we’ve shared with Meadow yet. We camped at the…
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Meadow’s Big Adventure: Ferry Rides, Island Views, and the Magic of Meeting New People
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Our family spent the 4th of July weekend on beautiful Orcas Island, and Meadow—our 4-month-old Golden Retriever—came along for the adventure. To get there with her, her crate, and all her toys, we took the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes. It was a wonderful learning experience for her, and a milestone in her early…
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Our First Dog Show Experience: Learning, Mentorship, and Purpose
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At Cedar Rock Golden Retrievers, every step of this journey has been guided by a desire to learn, grow, and do right by the breed we love. This past weekend marked a moment we had been quietly working toward—our very first dog show. In the weeks leading up to it, Meadow had been preparing…
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Building an Ethical and Responsible Breeding Program at Cedar Rock Golden Retrievers
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Entering the world of dog breeding is both exciting and deeply humbling. Here at Cedar Rock Golden Retrievers, located in the peaceful Three Lakes area of Snohomish County, Washington, we are committed to learning everything we can about ethical and responsible breeding practices. Creating an exceptional program is not something that happens overnight—it requires…
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When It’s Too Hot for a Puppy
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Summer can be fun, but for puppies, it can also be risky. Unlike adult dogs, puppies cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently. Their systems are still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to both overheating and chilling. In warm weather especially, this puts them at a higher risk for heat stress and even…