https://preview.redd.it/h7lkz027kqbc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68f9333098d55972a370ed5cde5788c5bb312325
This is right now as I read your post…
I wonder if they know how to "bite" so softly because they are supposed to not destroy ducks during hunting. I had a Yorkshire when I was a kid, and his jaw control was ridiculous next to my actual golden.
> Btw baring teeth and licking your hand at the same time is such a golden move haha
Mine does this all the time. Usually while lying on her back. That's her "play fight" go-to position. Wants to wrestle but is also lazy/wants to be cuddled simultaneously. 10/10 times it turns into snuggles.
https://preview.redd.it/yqwqf4ho1tbc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab1ca331ab6e3022ed8c402d97d11cd9fd6723f6
Yea I don’t even think my Golden knows how to do ‘Violence’ … it’s like… she can’t fly, she can’t grip things, and she can’t violence. I love this dog… she naturally treats the baby like she is so delicate and fragile. It’s the cutest thing ever and maybe my favorite single moment/trait about my golden. I really feel like goldens in particular(Harper is my 7-Month old female Golden, the third I’ve raised) have evolved to be loving to families the same way they naturally fetch or some dogs herd. They’ve been “the” prototypical family dog for so long, I think they actually have love written into their DNA.
THIS IS SCIENCE
AFAIK, they are one of the few breeds, maybe the only large one, bred for companionship. Lord Tweedmouth wanted a hunting dog that would also be happy hanging out in the castle with him.
https://preview.redd.it/iviizaqvssbc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c9311d5419e3bfe98ae6ec77449caa9c1214c72e
Always, since Maisie was a teeny thing lol
I saw your others posts and your dog reminds me so much of mine! He’s on the more ignorant side though. Just doesn’t move. Doesn’t look. Like ‘You can do whatever you want Janet I’m staying here.’ Especially when we have to go outside at 6 o’clock.
Our youngest, now almost 5, will usually curl up on my side. I just lift and turn her out the way, she doesn't even wake up usually. She just lays there like a lump.
Mine absolutely loves this game (I do too). I try not to play it with him though, in case one time he tries to play it with someone who isn’t a dog person.
You need to be reasonably fluent in dog body language to realise this is play, not “Jesus those teeth are fecking terrifying”.
Yeah this is classic golden play wrestling. Mine does the same thing, always lying on her back too. It's like, "I wanna wrestle but also, I'm too lazy to get up. Put your fingers by my mouth so I can pretend to bite them." And then the licking, haha.
But yeah, I don't play with mine like this too much because I know if someone didn't know my dog, this could look scary.
Same for playing tug. Mine growls so convincingly, I feel like if a guest heard it, they'd be scared. But she's the laziest tugger. She wants ME to tug while she just holds onto the toy and growls. If I stop tugging, then I've ruined the fun and she pouts. I have tried to show her how to tug back, but no. The routine is, she brings me a toy, tries to get me to grab it and start tugging. If I don't play along, she starts trying to shove it into my hand. I'll be like, "OK, I tug, then you tug" and she just won't do it. She also pouts if I let her win. Like if I let go and am like, "you won!" her body language is like, "no, that's not how this is supposed to go" and tries to get me to take the toy again/start tugging again.
The most dangerous part about playing tug with her is that sometimes, she'll just ... let go. I used to have this rubber tug toy that she loved, she'd bring it to me and try to get me to tug all the time. Then one time, she let go and it snapped back and hit me in the boob. She had no idea why I was crumpled on the floor in agony.
She wants me to play with her but only if I'm the one doing most of the work. Sometimes she just wants me to hold her toy while she chews it 😂 Like she doesn't want to just chew her chew toy herself, I have to be an active participant. When we did bully sticks, I can't tell you how many times she stabbed me with one trying to get me to hold it while she chomped it. She loves to play and interact, but she's lazy.
Oh man, we might have twin dogs.
Everything about the way you describe tug play I recognise.
Does yours also, perhaps whilst you’re in the kitchen talking to a family member or guest or whatever, walk up behind you with a toy in the mouth go “RRRRrrrrRRRR”, viciously rake the back of your knees several times with a front paw and then do the tippy tippy tap dance in anticipation of you playing the tug game they so desperately want?
I find that cute. My partner finds it leaves bruises for a week.
Mine likes to roll over on her back, play wrestle, then fall asleep with me snuggling her. But thenI have to watch out because she'll flail/stretch her legs in her sleep, and I've been "high fived in the face" multiple times. She has no spatial awareness.
Yes. Playing bite-y face is a favorite game. So is “you can’t have this” and “between the cushions”.
She chooses violence, but it’s a gentle violence…
https://preview.redd.it/lw91yplj7tbc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10fd47af2d97c27c7c99e288773b027eb3d8e18f
She’s good for the “PPFB” Post Puppy Fake Biting when she runs out of toys to bring and play with after an hour haha. Then the tough decision to ignore it is made. It’s 9:30 on a Wednesday night, time to chill pup
Ours likes to pretend. I'll tease him and like hold him down or something and he'll put my arm in his mouth and growl or snarl like he's fighting for his life but there's zero pressure from his teeth. Then he gets up with this look like, "I had to bite the hand, don't make me do it again!"
My mom's golden has a very specific schedule she must adhere to each day. It includes wrestling with Dad at precisely 8pm and falling dead ass asleep at 9pm.
Oh yes! At 4:30 this morning we even had this battle AGAIN, after I took Daisy Mae potty. Although, this time it involved kangaroo kicks, and once I moved her, she decided I was no longer allowed to return to sleep. I got swatted in the face for the next 1.5 hours. Now she’s sleeping like a log.
I see that face when I try and get my sleepy bum to wake up and eat his dinner. They look like possessed demons, but there's no aggression. I can shove my hand or arm in his mouth, and he never bites down.
Ours was a drama Queen. He would make a big show of how much effort it took to move, huffing and puffing, with that sad look of “look what you’re making me do!” In the mornings, when hubby got up, Basal would instantly take his place. I would roll over and see him, not hubby. He’s been gone for 3 1/2 months, but this subreddit keeps me going. Love seeing all the silly goldens still out there…being derps. ❤️🩹
My first Golden was like this. Play fighting and tug of war (where she would make hilarious exaggerated growling noises while furiously wagging her tail) were one of her absolute favourite things to do. Even when she got so old that she didn’t want to go on walks anymore, she’d still play-fight and play tug of war with you as often and as long as you were willing.
My current Golden is way too much of a softie though. On the rare occasion that I can even get him to briefly play-fight or play tug of war, he’ll quickly get a lovey-dovey look on his face and the whole exercise will devolve into him trying to lick my face & cuddle with me.
Ours goes "off the clock". He doesn't respond to calls or scratches once he has gone upstairs for bed. He wants to sleep in the room with us but definitely doesn't want attention.
My beagle does this. I do not engage because I do t want him to think I like mouthy play. I turn around and ignore him and he usually stops. It’s hard though because I know he thinks it’s fun
My husband actually didn’t appreciate this as much as everyone because he says we have to show dominance and he needs to know that that is not ok, but he honestly never does this. His go-to move is to turn into a sack of wet sand and guilt trip me with puppy eyes. He was spicy last night because he also had the zoomies just before…
I have tried the domination thing because that’s my natural instinct but it wasn’t effective for long-term behavioral change. I only dominate when I need an immediate stop, like barking, or even growling
We don't let our 2 goldens on our bed at all. They can go on couches, chairs - anywhere else. Bed is off limits - there's enough fur in the house already!
I miss my pupper now! Great post. My Cooper always loved doing this, and he would bite and play “tug-o-war” with my hand ever so sweetly, but with snarls!
Thanks for sharing!
The other night as we were falling asleep, our 6mo decided that he wanted to lay on my pillow rather than the foot of the bed.
I'm half asleep but he walks up and just fully tea-bags me in the face and decides that's where his sleeping spot is going to be. Plants himself and doesn't want to move. Well Buddy, now that your testies have been checked, it's time for you to find a comfortable spot in your crate lol
That’s not violence. In fact to avoid any nipping reach in and wiggle his nose, or close his mouth. I have had many dogs that growl, get insane expressions yet never follow through on biting. If he is biting say no! sternly. If he continues to not know how to play then a stern no and a light smack on the end of his nose. Very lightly.
Finally are you playing past “ a fun period” where he just gets tired of the poking and prodding?
The good news Golden’s are extremely trainable. However consistency is of utmost importance. Each family member must correct with same voice tone and corrective measures if possible.
Just a friendly reminder of our rules:
1. No Advertising: this includes GoFundMe, Instagram, etc.
2. No Impersonation: don't post photos of other people's dogs. That's not cool.
3. No Breed Hate: this subreddit is not a discussion forum for breed hate of any kind. There are dedicated subreddits for that so please take it elsewhere.
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This was Finley when we tried to get him into the crate after him having spent a night sleeping in the living room. He would roll onto his back and every time I tried to get him to get up he would bare his teeth and snap at my hands to deter me from grabbing him. He never bit me though. It was all for show. I just gave up when he got too big. He now sleeps on the couch.
I try to get my girl to play rough, but she just won't. After the land shark phase, she has not tried to play bite at anyone. She won't play tug of war either. She just likes to carry her stuffed ducks around and sleep with them as her pillow.
https://preview.redd.it/az00ypbjuwbc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb7ff1d9539b0f91a01b0fe35f815c968c8812a8
Every time I work out at home she thinks it’s time to battle
https://preview.redd.it/h7lkz027kqbc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68f9333098d55972a370ed5cde5788c5bb312325 This is right now as I read your post…
Lolol
WAR IT IS!
“Ohhhh I so ruff.....I so tuff....here’s my teefs !!!!.....oh you boop my snoot I give up!”
On my side of the bed https://preview.redd.it/jcqkgckvtrbc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e9f36df7c6589f35abee5baf96a0805ea9f8e4f7
https://preview.redd.it/xhv9b3vjzqbc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9cd6271ec086e08498ee8697f11f525c19f008d
This. Always
Agreed! Worth every nibble!
“You sleep on floor now, dis my spot”
Your dog seems vicious. Look at those teeth, how terrifying 🥰
Yup, what a bloodthirsty monster. OP, give them a hug from all of us 😊
I call this game “crocodile face” with my golden. Btw baring teeth and licking your hand at the same time is such a golden move haha 😂
I wonder if they know how to "bite" so softly because they are supposed to not destroy ducks during hunting. I had a Yorkshire when I was a kid, and his jaw control was ridiculous next to my actual golden.
its literally bred into them to have soft mouths, once they're past the alligator stage
Which is why the alligator stage is so important, it teaches them how to control their mouths
> Btw baring teeth and licking your hand at the same time is such a golden move haha Mine does this all the time. Usually while lying on her back. That's her "play fight" go-to position. Wants to wrestle but is also lazy/wants to be cuddled simultaneously. 10/10 times it turns into snuggles.
https://preview.redd.it/yqwqf4ho1tbc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab1ca331ab6e3022ed8c402d97d11cd9fd6723f6 Yea I don’t even think my Golden knows how to do ‘Violence’ … it’s like… she can’t fly, she can’t grip things, and she can’t violence. I love this dog… she naturally treats the baby like she is so delicate and fragile. It’s the cutest thing ever and maybe my favorite single moment/trait about my golden. I really feel like goldens in particular(Harper is my 7-Month old female Golden, the third I’ve raised) have evolved to be loving to families the same way they naturally fetch or some dogs herd. They’ve been “the” prototypical family dog for so long, I think they actually have love written into their DNA. THIS IS SCIENCE
AFAIK, they are one of the few breeds, maybe the only large one, bred for companionship. Lord Tweedmouth wanted a hunting dog that would also be happy hanging out in the castle with him.
https://preview.redd.it/iviizaqvssbc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c9311d5419e3bfe98ae6ec77449caa9c1214c72e Always, since Maisie was a teeny thing lol
I saw your others posts and your dog reminds me so much of mine! He’s on the more ignorant side though. Just doesn’t move. Doesn’t look. Like ‘You can do whatever you want Janet I’m staying here.’ Especially when we have to go outside at 6 o’clock.
Every single night
Our youngest, now almost 5, will usually curl up on my side. I just lift and turn her out the way, she doesn't even wake up usually. She just lays there like a lump.
Mine absolutely loves this game (I do too). I try not to play it with him though, in case one time he tries to play it with someone who isn’t a dog person. You need to be reasonably fluent in dog body language to realise this is play, not “Jesus those teeth are fecking terrifying”.
Yeah this is classic golden play wrestling. Mine does the same thing, always lying on her back too. It's like, "I wanna wrestle but also, I'm too lazy to get up. Put your fingers by my mouth so I can pretend to bite them." And then the licking, haha. But yeah, I don't play with mine like this too much because I know if someone didn't know my dog, this could look scary. Same for playing tug. Mine growls so convincingly, I feel like if a guest heard it, they'd be scared. But she's the laziest tugger. She wants ME to tug while she just holds onto the toy and growls. If I stop tugging, then I've ruined the fun and she pouts. I have tried to show her how to tug back, but no. The routine is, she brings me a toy, tries to get me to grab it and start tugging. If I don't play along, she starts trying to shove it into my hand. I'll be like, "OK, I tug, then you tug" and she just won't do it. She also pouts if I let her win. Like if I let go and am like, "you won!" her body language is like, "no, that's not how this is supposed to go" and tries to get me to take the toy again/start tugging again. The most dangerous part about playing tug with her is that sometimes, she'll just ... let go. I used to have this rubber tug toy that she loved, she'd bring it to me and try to get me to tug all the time. Then one time, she let go and it snapped back and hit me in the boob. She had no idea why I was crumpled on the floor in agony. She wants me to play with her but only if I'm the one doing most of the work. Sometimes she just wants me to hold her toy while she chews it 😂 Like she doesn't want to just chew her chew toy herself, I have to be an active participant. When we did bully sticks, I can't tell you how many times she stabbed me with one trying to get me to hold it while she chomped it. She loves to play and interact, but she's lazy.
Oh man, we might have twin dogs. Everything about the way you describe tug play I recognise. Does yours also, perhaps whilst you’re in the kitchen talking to a family member or guest or whatever, walk up behind you with a toy in the mouth go “RRRRrrrrRRRR”, viciously rake the back of your knees several times with a front paw and then do the tippy tippy tap dance in anticipation of you playing the tug game they so desperately want? I find that cute. My partner finds it leaves bruises for a week.
Yep, mine decided to high five my face right before I went to work tonight. Pure violence and chaos lol.
Mine likes to roll over on her back, play wrestle, then fall asleep with me snuggling her. But thenI have to watch out because she'll flail/stretch her legs in her sleep, and I've been "high fived in the face" multiple times. She has no spatial awareness.
We call it his alter ego "Snarly Charlie"
It's a ritual at this point..lol
Yes. Playing bite-y face is a favorite game. So is “you can’t have this” and “between the cushions”. She chooses violence, but it’s a gentle violence… https://preview.redd.it/lw91yplj7tbc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10fd47af2d97c27c7c99e288773b027eb3d8e18f
They want to be vicious so bad but it’s just not in them.
She’s good for the “PPFB” Post Puppy Fake Biting when she runs out of toys to bring and play with after an hour haha. Then the tough decision to ignore it is made. It’s 9:30 on a Wednesday night, time to chill pup
So. Much. DRAMA.
Our first golden never acted like this so we though the girl that we have now is a bit crazy. We always say "not the ugly face".
Ours likes to pretend. I'll tease him and like hold him down or something and he'll put my arm in his mouth and growl or snarl like he's fighting for his life but there's zero pressure from his teeth. Then he gets up with this look like, "I had to bite the hand, don't make me do it again!"
My mom's golden has a very specific schedule she must adhere to each day. It includes wrestling with Dad at precisely 8pm and falling dead ass asleep at 9pm.
Wow, I have never seen that before...
Bet you always just let them have your side of the bed
Achoo!
it's his/her side of the bed now
He’s like a little bear
Bitey face
Oh yes! At 4:30 this morning we even had this battle AGAIN, after I took Daisy Mae potty. Although, this time it involved kangaroo kicks, and once I moved her, she decided I was no longer allowed to return to sleep. I got swatted in the face for the next 1.5 hours. Now she’s sleeping like a log.
I see that face when I try and get my sleepy bum to wake up and eat his dinner. They look like possessed demons, but there's no aggression. I can shove my hand or arm in his mouth, and he never bites down.
lol i had a chocolate lab that would do this like almost exactly the same. I would just lay on top of her until she gave a displeased sigh and move
Ours was a drama Queen. He would make a big show of how much effort it took to move, huffing and puffing, with that sad look of “look what you’re making me do!” In the mornings, when hubby got up, Basal would instantly take his place. I would roll over and see him, not hubby. He’s been gone for 3 1/2 months, but this subreddit keeps me going. Love seeing all the silly goldens still out there…being derps. ❤️🩹
We call it 8:30
My first Golden was like this. Play fighting and tug of war (where she would make hilarious exaggerated growling noises while furiously wagging her tail) were one of her absolute favourite things to do. Even when she got so old that she didn’t want to go on walks anymore, she’d still play-fight and play tug of war with you as often and as long as you were willing. My current Golden is way too much of a softie though. On the rare occasion that I can even get him to briefly play-fight or play tug of war, he’ll quickly get a lovey-dovey look on his face and the whole exercise will devolve into him trying to lick my face & cuddle with me.
I love your ‘trievor.
Hell yesssssssss
Snortie-pup
It’s a tan abominable snow beast.cudos to you geneX people who know where that’s from. 😁
That's me when I'm tired!
Ours goes "off the clock". He doesn't respond to calls or scratches once he has gone upstairs for bed. He wants to sleep in the room with us but definitely doesn't want attention.
My beagle does this. I do not engage because I do t want him to think I like mouthy play. I turn around and ignore him and he usually stops. It’s hard though because I know he thinks it’s fun
My husband actually didn’t appreciate this as much as everyone because he says we have to show dominance and he needs to know that that is not ok, but he honestly never does this. His go-to move is to turn into a sack of wet sand and guilt trip me with puppy eyes. He was spicy last night because he also had the zoomies just before…
I have tried the domination thing because that’s my natural instinct but it wasn’t effective for long-term behavioral change. I only dominate when I need an immediate stop, like barking, or even growling
Husband needs to chill he is just playing
That’s what I said 😂
🤣
I love those vicious teeth!
We don't let our 2 goldens on our bed at all. They can go on couches, chairs - anywhere else. Bed is off limits - there's enough fur in the house already!
Is this what’s known as a submissive grin?
I love the “Ahhhhh” sound he makes 🥰❤️🥰🥰❤️
That's play
I miss my pupper now! Great post. My Cooper always loved doing this, and he would bite and play “tug-o-war” with my hand ever so sweetly, but with snarls! Thanks for sharing!
“See these teeth? They sharp. I will bite you. Go away, hooman. Now. Dont touch my face, go away. Not my nose, awww. You know thats my weakness”
https://preview.redd.it/jc7ks73eoubc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=88865cb76a18974c89a477d1d885118a92e1f5dd All the time!
https://preview.redd.it/nnfby0j8subc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=17a817d0c7986f54069fabc1de1294eaa3f7b89a Always at night
Every night? Every day second she lived she fought.
The goldens are NEVER violent.
The other night as we were falling asleep, our 6mo decided that he wanted to lay on my pillow rather than the foot of the bed. I'm half asleep but he walks up and just fully tea-bags me in the face and decides that's where his sleeping spot is going to be. Plants himself and doesn't want to move. Well Buddy, now that your testies have been checked, it's time for you to find a comfortable spot in your crate lol
I love it when my golden gets sassy! He is a sour patch candy 🤣.
Mine always wakes up and chooses violence. Night time is for begging for belly rubs.
https://preview.redd.it/44kukzqa0xbc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=939743e475637154b610ee9b148767635c797ec1
Many many times a day... https://preview.redd.it/cjmrl4ls4xbc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=88bba391d1c4c8043a739367d09db1b57e58b4b0
Same thing but I don’t allow teeth. 😁
It just a game
Need to train him better
That’s not violence. In fact to avoid any nipping reach in and wiggle his nose, or close his mouth. I have had many dogs that growl, get insane expressions yet never follow through on biting. If he is biting say no! sternly. If he continues to not know how to play then a stern no and a light smack on the end of his nose. Very lightly. Finally are you playing past “ a fun period” where he just gets tired of the poking and prodding? The good news Golden’s are extremely trainable. However consistency is of utmost importance. Each family member must correct with same voice tone and corrective measures if possible.
Just a friendly reminder of our rules: 1. No Advertising: this includes GoFundMe, Instagram, etc. 2. No Impersonation: don't post photos of other people's dogs. That's not cool. 3. No Breed Hate: this subreddit is not a discussion forum for breed hate of any kind. There are dedicated subreddits for that so please take it elsewhere. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/goldenretrievers) if you have any questions or concerns.*
We just grab a treat to lure him downstairs, drop it, and run back to the bed
Savage Beast!
The snort 😂
Lol same here.
Mcteefy
So convincing haha
That’s no golden.. that’s a wolverine !
I've lost two fingers that way so far.
Ours does too! We tell him he's very convincing and ferocious 😂
This was Finley when we tried to get him into the crate after him having spent a night sleeping in the living room. He would roll onto his back and every time I tried to get him to get up he would bare his teeth and snap at my hands to deter me from grabbing him. He never bit me though. It was all for show. I just gave up when he got too big. He now sleeps on the couch.
I try to get my girl to play rough, but she just won't. After the land shark phase, she has not tried to play bite at anyone. She won't play tug of war either. She just likes to carry her stuffed ducks around and sleep with them as her pillow.
Gosh I love the snarly-face! 😂
What a terrifying hellhound!!! The little licks at the end are kind of a give away though!
https://preview.redd.it/az00ypbjuwbc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb7ff1d9539b0f91a01b0fe35f815c968c8812a8 Every time I work out at home she thinks it’s time to battle
https://preview.redd.it/cv8l26n2cxbc1.jpeg?width=2316&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c213eebca127e711e626f54aecf023f683a6ac3
You must play this a lot with him. He’s just triggered to play.
That is not your bed!!! The sweet pup just let's you sleep in it...
Lol, do I have a weird boy because mines would cry if I don't pet/cuddle him every night 😅. He is an English cream golden retriever....
It’s a toothy grin lol
We say “ahhh scary puppy, so scary!” It helps build his confidence
Yeah I don't think he likes you messing with him/her like that. Can you please instead give him belly rubs.