Things You'll Need
- Toys
- Treats
Instructions
Observe the puppy's interactions with his litter mates. Note if he is dominant, submissive, cautious or adventurous. Does he exhibit guarding behavior towards food or toys? Your puppy's role in his litter will affect his role in your household.
Check the puppy for straight legs, good muscle tone, a thick coat and an active nature. These are traits of a well-bred golden retriever. Similarly, make sure her eyes, ears and nose are clean and her gums are pink.
Handle him. Touch him on his ears, feet and tail. Open his mouth, hold him in a hug or pick him up. His reaction to this handling will let you know how accepting he is of being handled. Puppies will be squirmy, but he should tolerate handling and relax (at least briefly) during a hug.
Take the puppy away from her litter. See if she pays attention to your voice and if she follows you. Get a toy and play with the puppy. Watch to see if the puppy is interested in the toy. She should at least be curious, if not ready to play and retrieve.
Offer the puppy a yummy treat. See how he takes the treat. If he is overly aggressive in taking the treat, he may have food guarding issues.