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Maryland is a great place to live, but what if you could make it even better with a canine companion? Whether you have a small family or live on your own, as long as you have a home with a backyard, golden retrievers are a no-brainer dog breed to adopt. They are trainable, simple to care for, and if you have the time, you’ll develop a strong bond.
Golden retrievers are also perfect for Maryland’s culture and climate. They make excellent hiking companions for Maryland’s portion of the Appalachian Trail, and cities like Baltimore are walkable and have plenty of outdoor venues for you to spend time with your dog. That said, just keep an eye on their paws during the hotter summer months, and make sure you train them if you bring them out in public.
Before you rush to the nearest animal adoption organization in your area, stick around for a moment. It’s important to learn about the adoption process, and this article guides you as you learn how to adopt a golden retriever in Maryland.
Golden Retriever Adoption in Maryland
Adopting a dog isn’t the same as buying one from a breeder. You’ll find that you need to meet minimum requirements, have a home that can accommodate them, and you even have to make a documented commitment to their health and safety. You should only approach the adoption process when you’re ready with your documents in hand and your home prepared for inspection; this way, there’s no room for application denials due to preventable issues.
First and foremost, only adopt dogs that are being housed by shelters, rescues, and foster programs that are doing so according to guidelines established by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Animal adoption organizations that aren’t following these guidelines need to be reported.
Once you find a golden retriever you want to adopt, make sure you meet their minimum age requirements, have a valid form of photo ID (passport or driver’s license), and are prepared to house them. Home checks are done by many organizations, so make sure you have a fence in your backyard, if you have one, and consider that a small apartment in Ellicott City or Baltimore may not be adequate.
Meeting these requirements will get you most of the way to adopting a golden retriever in Maryland, but you also need to provide references, details of veterinarians you’ve worked with in the past, and information about the people who live in your home. Typically, animal adoption organizations will verify this information and send someone for a home visit and meet-and-greet, especially if you have young children and other pets.
After you complete the application process, which takes about a week (sometimes more), you can pay the adoption fee and bring home your new canine companion.
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How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Golden Retriever in Maryland?The adoption fee for golden retrievers in Maryland tends to be around $50 to $500. However, you also need to pay for their food, trips to the vet every year, and toys. Adding a crate into the mix may also be necessary, and you can expect these costs to be around $1,000 during the first year, and more if you adopt a puppy. Speaking of golden retriever puppies, you’ll find that puppies tend to cost more to adopt than adult and senior dogs. This is due to the fact that shelters, rescues, and foster programs will cover the cost of vaccinations and surgeries in the adoption fee. |
How Should I Train a Golden Retriever?Golden retrievers are easy dogs to train. They were originally bred as duck hunting dogs, but people loved their sunny attitude and could not resist making them a part of the family. That said, you still need to use the appropriate principles, which include a combination of positive reinforcement and consistency. You want to reward them with food, affection, or toys because it keeps them engaged, and you want to set a schedule to avoid them thinking that it’s time for a walk instead of training. From there, you can train them to do just about anything, whether it’s hiking, watching over your home, or participating in agility courses. Whatever your motivation, we offer a wide variety of online golden retriever training programs. |
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Find the Right Golden Retriever in Maryland for You
Are you ready to adopt a golden retriever in Maryland? If so, we have a wide variety of additional golden retriever adoption resources that will help you find available goldens in your area. These resources will also help you learn more about the breed, ranging from how to groom them to how to feed them.
That said, always remember to bond with a golden retriever before you adopt, and bring the whole family! This ensures that the process goes smoothly, and that you adopt a golden retriever that your family meshes with.
