Steps for Adopting a Golden Retriever Puppy
Research
Doing your homework is the first step in adopting a Golden Retriever puppy. We encourage our customers to research and understand different breeds and their specific characteristics before adopting a puppy. Choosing their next furry friend is a big responsibility. Our puppies are special to us, and we want them to live a happy and fulfilling life with a good family who understands and meets their specific needs.
Submit a Puppy Application
If you believe you are capable of responsible and conscientious dog ownership, and you think you have the time to invest in training, and if you want to make a puppy a part of your family, then we invite you to take the first step in the adoption process and fill out and submit our online application.
An application does not guarantee your acceptance or commit you to anything. It simply starts the conversation with us and lets us know you are interested in a pup.
We will contact you within 48 hours (usually sooner) to continue the conversation. As responsible Golden Retriever breeders, we do what’s best for our puppies and clients. Our goal is to determine whether your family will be a good match for the doggie and whether the doggie will be a good match for your family.
Place a Deposit
Once your application is approved, you can pay your deposit. Once your deposit is received, you will be placed on an active waiting list.
Refundable Deposit
At Golden Crest Retrievers, we understand that life happens and things can change at any moment, and we don’t want you to lose money if they do. We want you to feel confident in working with us, and if circumstances arise that prevent you from completing the adoption process with us, we will reimburse your deposit minus a 10% processing fee. Be sure your landlord allows dogs on your property before joining our waiting list. If you rent your home, be sure you have all the permissions required (ideally in writing).
Upon selecting a puppy from Puppy Picking Day (details below), deposits will no longer be refundable, as you will be transferred from the waiting list to being matched with one.
Preparing for Your Puppy
Puppy Supplies
We are often asked, “What supplies do I need to prepare for my puppy?”. That is a great question, as it shows responsibility and awareness that caring for a puppy is a big responsibility.
Therefore, we have compiled a list of our Recommended Puppy Supplies. Feel free to check them out.
Also, check out our Puppy Tips page for a few pointers on feeding and potty training, etc.
Schedule Wellness Exam
It is very important that you schedule a wellness exam with your Veterinarian. For our protection and our customers, we require the dog to have a wellness exam from a licensed Veterinarian within the first 72 hours of leaving our nursery for our 2-year Genetic Health Guarantee to be valid. It is always easier to schedule an appointment in advance as some vets are booked well into the future.
Choose a Puppy to Adopt
We will notify you when a litter is born to provide details about the litter, the date for in-person puppy picking, and your picking order. The order in which you pick out your furry buddy depends on when you made your deposit. In-person picking day occurs when the pups are 6-7 weeks old.
In-person puppy pick day allows families to meet our dog parents, puppies, and other families from the litter and answer any questions before your furry friend’s go-home day.
We aim to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience and urge families to arrive on time so we can all start having fun together. We recommend limiting playtime to 30 minutes as the pups tend to get sleepy after this amount of time.
We ask that you list the same number of puppies as your spot in line, with #1 Being your most desired and so on. For example, if you had 3rd pick, you would list 3 puppies. We provide a list of the puppies with their photo and the color of the ID collar, as well as a note section, to make this process easier.
We provide multiple video updates and photos of the pups to ease your adoption process if you live far away and choose not to attend.
If someone else has already selected the fur buddy you are interested in, you may pass on the current litter and wait for the next one to increase your chances of getting the furry friend you want.
Take Home Day
The puppy pick-up date is when the puppy is 8 weeks old, not a day soon, and passes a health exam by a qualified veterinarian. If pups were born on Sunday, then Adoption Day will be the Monday following 8 weeks old.
Although it’s extremely rare, sometimes Adoption Day may need to be adjusted to our vet’s recommendations. We reserve the right to keep the puppy longer for its safety. We will notify you ASAP if Adoption Day changes so you can plan accordingly.
Please arrange to pick up your fur buddy between 8 weeks and 9 weeks old. If you need us to keep the puppy past 9 weeks old, there will be a $ 30-a-day boarding fee.
You will receive registration forms (if applicable), a bag of food, 2-yr. Genetic Health Guarantee, medical records via Breeder Cloud, health report from a licensed Veterinarian, 30 days of pet insurance, collar, and comfort blanket with a familiar scent.
Owners Responsibilities
We ask that the owner takes their pup to a veterinarian of their choice within 72 hours of picking up their fur baby for the 2-year genetic health guarantee to be valid.
We ask the families to provide a healthy living environment (clean bedding, sufficient food, and water), stay updated on vaccinations and deworming, invest time in training, and provide for their emotional welfare.