Puppy education
What we do in the first eight weeks, what we ask you to keep doing, and why we ask you to wait before spaying or neutering.
Puppy development
We believe the most important time in a puppy’s development is the first year, and above all the first four months. Even in their first eight weeks with us, we start their social development and introduction to training to prepare them for their future homes: novel surfaces, sounds and problem-solving toys, and the beginnings of manners. Much of what we practice follows the Puppy Culture program; Westwing was the first Certified Puppy Culture Golden Retriever breeder in Arizona.
We strongly recommend enrolling in a puppy class and sticking to a training routine once your puppy comes home. Your go-home packet has our suggestions.
Spaying and neutering
We don’t require you to spay or neuter, and if you choose to, we ask that you wait until at least 24 months so your dog reaches full maturity. This may be the first you are hearing of this; many of us were told to spay or neuter at six months, or before a female’s first heat. Research in the last decade, including a large study of golden retrievers specifically, has found higher rates of some joint disorders and cancers in goldens altered early. Please read the research below and talk it over with your veterinarian.