[tumarkin]

goldens are a great breed for your situation.... very gentle, loving, great with kids. a puppy will help your wife get over her fear. and don't be afraid of puppies. as long as you understand they are puppies (and the sometimes destructive, chewy behaviors that go with that) you'll get them past that stage and have a lot of fun doing it. watching the pup grow up with your kids is priceless.

if you establish that you are alpha right from the start, and make going out on the leash a fun thing, the dog will associate the leash with going out for walks, rides, etc and will be happy as soon as you pick up the leash. it's not hard to train a dog to come, sit, heel. just make it part of the walk with lots of praise. a well trained dog is easy & fun to take out places - so both you and the dog will get the benefits. firm & loving, and above all consistent - just like with children.

[phillamb168]

Other thing is wanting to keep the dog inside. All of our friends here are of the "dog is always outside" mindset, but I prefer to have the dog inside. How do you guys do it?

[bbkf]

Other thing is wanting to keep the dog inside. All of our friends here are of the "dog is always outside" mindset, but I prefer to have the dog inside. How do you guys do it?

a dog should always be inside especially if you only have one.  they are pack animals.  forcing them to stay outside is cruel. 

[maxieboy]

Other thing is wanting to keep the dog inside. All of our friends here are of the "dog is always outside" mindset, but I prefer to have the dog inside. How do you guys do it?

My dogs are my companions, not a yard ornament. Why even have a dog if it's gonna be relegated to a kennel or corner of the yard?

[ccarlson]

Other thing is wanting to keep the dog inside. All of our friends here are of the "dog is always outside" mindset, but I prefer to have the dog inside. How do you guys do it?

a dog should always be inside especially if you only have one.  they are pack animals.  forcing them to stay outside is cruel. 

I have a doggy door. They are free to do whatever they want.

[phillamb168]

Good stuff, thanks for the conversational ammo guys.

One last question! We want to find a good (ONLINE) video training series so we can be prepared for how to train a puppy. Any recommendations?

[weithman5]

my dog came out of the stream at the dog park the other day and a lady said "you must not have a very nice car to let your dog get dirty and wet like that".  I replied "maybe not, but i have a very nice dog"

[phillamb168]

my dog came out of the stream at the dog park the other day and a lady said "you must not have a very nice car to let your dog get dirty and wet like that".  I replied "maybe not, but i have a very nice dog"

I think the proper response would have been, 'my manservant says the leather cleans up easily.'

Edit to say: Where do you live that people actually SAY things like that?

[blatz]

I can see that happening in Naperville.  Happens here too.

Google Cesar Milan - I'm pretty sure he has a training video series.

[punatic]

Other thing is wanting to keep the dog inside. All of our friends here are of the "dog is always outside" mindset, but I prefer to have the dog inside. How do you guys do it?

My dogs are my companions, not a yard ornament. Why even have a dog if it's gonna be relegated to a kennel or corner of the yard?

To do what they were origially domesticated for, guarding/sentry, herding, hunting/tracking, retrieving...  Working dogs and their masters can be very close and affectionate - and the dogs live outside of the home.  There is nothing cruel and unusual about that.

[tumarkin]

my dog is inside with us when we're home, outside when we're not. she's totally cool with that and is 'on the job' guarding so doesn't mind being outside when she knows we're not there.

sorry, I'm not familiar with video training sources. I've had dogs all my life and just do it.

[punatic]

my dog came out of the stream at the dog park the other day and a lady said "you must not have a very nice car to let your dog get dirty and wet like that". 

"Oh no, my truck has a real nice dog carrier in it.  You'd look right at home riding in there too."

[gymrat]

Good stuff, thanks for the conversational ammo guys.

One last question! We want to find a good (ONLINE) video training series so we can be prepared for how to train a puppy. Any recommendations?

I like this one. http://Http://trainingpositive.com

[gymrat]

Other thing is wanting to keep the dog inside. All of our friends here are of the "dog is always outside" mindset, but I prefer to have the dog inside. How do you guys do it?

Once you get your dog trained where to relieve itself and trained what it is allowed to chew on, you simply leave it in the house. I got Ralph to guard my house because I live alone and work second shift. He is alone in my house 9 hours 5 days a week. Never had any problems. When I am home we are joined at the hip so to speak.

[maxieboy]

Other thing is wanting to keep the dog inside. All of our friends here are of the "dog is always outside" mindset, but I prefer to have the dog inside. How do you guys do it?

My dogs are my companions, not a yard ornament. Why even have a dog if it's gonna be relegated to a kennel or corner of the yard?

To do what they were origially domesticated for, guarding/sentry, herding, hunting/tracking, retrieving...  Working dogs and their masters can be very close and affectionate - and the dogs live outside of the home.  There is nothing cruel and unusual about that.

True. I shoulda slipped an "IMO" in there.    I'm a little jaded because where I live now, there are a lot of dogs that are 100% ignored, barely sustained, and living a meaningless existence.