Please take time to look over our HEALTH GUARANTEE and PURCHASE AGREEMENT
12 WEEK OLD PUPPIES AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 30, 2019
​$3,000
​CONTACT US 931-446-4976
Our Training Philosophy
We use verbal markers with all our dogs and their litters.  The young dogs in our program are introduced to marker training before they leave our home.  Marker training simply means we verbally mark a moment in time, with a "yes",  when the dog has done something right.  This is also known as classical conditioning.  The verbal marker precedes the reward(food).  Reward based training motivates dogs!  A motivated dog trains better and looks forward to each and every training session.  It gives you a tool in communicating to your dog, building a strong human-canine relationship.  Our focus here at Radiant Goldens, with regard to training, is to provide a foundation in dog manners, dog safety and self control, by teaching our dogs to give their focus and attention to their people!  We want our families to have the tools to communicate with their dog so they focus on you and listen.  Keeping them from things like jumping on people, chewing on furniture/people, or running into the road.  We essentially "board and train" your puppy from birth until 10 weeks of age and beyond.   We want you to enjoy your golden and know the early years can be challenging.  Please always feel free to contact us with any questions.  

Birth to 4 weeks

  • From the moment our puppies are born we begin "touch work".  Our "touch work" is intentional and with purpose.
  • We clean the whelping box multiple times a day, teaching our puppies to want to be clean.
  • At 2 weeks we start adding a variety of tactile items, adding something new daily.
  • A crate is added to their space between 3-4 weeks.  This gives them the opportunity to freely explore this new object.  The door is always open at this point.
  • At 3-4 weeks they begin receiving puppy food, soaked in water in a community bowl.

4-6 weeks

  • At 4 weeks of age we start the manding process per puppy culture.  This is a 2 weeks process and by 6 weeks they are receiving dry puppy food for treats.  
  • Crate conditioning becomes more involved on our part as their mama begins the process of weaning them.  She continues to be involved in teaching them how to be a dog but she doesn't allow them to nurse by means of constant movement.  Most litters are weaned by 6 weeks of age.  
  • Crate conditioning and eating:  We slowly start the process of teaching them to eat individually in their crates, happily.
  • A water bucket is hung in their space "free choice" during the day.
  • "free choice" means the water is available at all times for them to drink at will (only during the daytime and removed by 3:00pm)
  • "Manding"  - This is a term used by Puppy Culture to explain the process of young puppies sitting for you without verbal commands.  They simply learn to sit and look up at you without being asked.  We spend many hours working with the puppies from 4-6 weeks of age on manding.

6-8 weeks

  • Puppies are eating individually in their own crates.
  • Mama is teaching them to use a doggy door.
  • We continue to introduce them to new objects, textures, and sounds. (i.e.: lawn mowers(small and large), weed eaters, children riding on bikes, skate boards, roller skates.  Children running and playing, bouncing balls of all sizes and textures.  They meet adult dogs other than mama.  They spend time with our parents who are in their 70's.  
  • Depending on weather and age of puppies we introduce them to a pan of water for playtime.
  • They are introduced to walking up and down a ramp and learn to maneuver 3 steps.
  • A collar with tags is introduced along with a leash.  The tags are placed on the collar to help puppy get accustomed to weight on their collar.
  • They are introduced to being in a crate inside a car while it is running.  The car is not moving at this point.
  • Basic marker training begins, with "yes" for good behavior.  This is trained individually.  

8-10 weeks

We continue to build upon everything mentioned above and add the following:
  • Leash pressure, walking on a leash and luring.
  • They are introduced to "place" on a dog cot.  Increasing duration on cot and added distractions.
  • They begin to take rides in the car, in a crate. (1st round of vaccinations complete) 
What to expect of a 10 week old puppy from Radiant Goldens:
  • Crated trained to eat all meals in their crate - 3x/day - 7am, 11am and 3pm.  They will not starve waiting from 3pm until morning.  This helps to empty bladder and bowels before crating for bedtime.  They will be super energetic when they anticipate food!  
  • Crate trained through the night 6 hours or more at our home.  Puppy should be taken out every 4 hours during the night their first week home with you.
  • DURING THE DAY, puppy will need to go outside to potty every 2 - 2 1/2 hours.  FIRST WEEK HOME, this may need to be 1-2hrs  
  • Trained to receive "high valued" treats in crate ( raw meaty bones, self-soothing bone found here)
  • Familiar with a collar and walking on leash
  • Familiar with leash pressure and "luring"
  • ​Introduced to the command "place" using a dog cot
  • Introduced to riding in car
  • Will know how to use a doggy door
  • Familiar with weekly claw trimming
  • Familiar with a brush for grooming
  • Familiar with verbal marker training and the command "yes"
What are the challenges of a 10 week old puppy:
  • They may bark, they may whine and they may dig manicured lawns and flower beds.  This is corrected with proper training.
  • They will be teething until 12 months of age and want to eat everything and put everything in their mouth.  After 12 months, they will want to eat everything and put everything in their mouth because they are a golden retriever.  This is corrected with proper training. 
  • Hair, hair and more hair.  We vacuum our home multiple times a day. Spring and fall is the worst.  Good food and supplements will reduce (not eliminate) excessive shedding.
  • They will have accidents in your home!!!  Be prepared for cleaning, with an enzyme cleaner like this one HERE
  • Remember they are a puppy!!  THEY ARE A VERY YOUNG DOG!!  Put the time in training your dog while they are young.  Males will grow to be 75-85 lbs and females will grow to be 55-65 lbs!!  They  are an amazing breed and deserve your time and love!!!
  • Patience, love, repetition and routine are very, very important!!  We cannot emphasize this enough.