Another Golden Retriever Question--Are they always this chatty?

[NMAmy]

Ok, I know we have lots of golden retriever experts on here--you all have been very helpful to me in the past with our new puppy. She's our first golden and we adore her.

BUT--she's a talker. I've started calling her Chewbacca--she sounds just like the Wookie in Star Wars. She will "talk" constantly. She doesn't bark excessively but when she wants me to do something (like play) she will bark at me a few times and tug at my sleeve like she's Lassie and Timmy's fallen in the darn well again.

I've also begun calling her Harpo Marx. She'll grab a squeaky toy and then just sit next to me squeaking it incessantly and looking at me like she's trying to tell me something in Morse code. It's pretty funny, actually.

So, I just wondered if this is a golden trait or if I just got a weirdo (ok, I know she's weird but I love her anyway)?

By the way...thanks to all of those who helped with her being mouthy and nibbling at us all the time--she's calmed down a lot in that regard which is great.

 

[Maleficent13]

In my case, it depended on the dog. Two of them were, one wasn't. The newest one is only about 4 months old, so we don't know yet (but I'm guessing yes...he loves his squeaky toy!)

 

[Crankyshank]

My friend's golden isn't a talker at all. She's very expressive though- we call her the doggie mime
My female beagle is just how you are describing your golden. She doesn't howl like most beagles and trills, pokes, and scratches you to get her point across.

 

[disneynutt1225]

My Toby behaves like that as well (he's a male beagle). He's also very groany - like he's a 90 year old man or something. He groans a lot when he's getting comfortable and when he's sleeping. It's a riot. The best is when I tell him not to do something and he'll have a tantrum and start barking back at me as if to say "who do you think you are yelling at me, lady!". He's definitely got personality.

aw:

 

[always quiet]

My Pomeranian is that way....he has almost a full vocabulary! I don't call him a "wookie" though...we call him an Ewok!!

 

[dizagain]

My 1/2 golden, 1/2 yellow lab is 7 and he TALKS ALL OF THE TIME!!! My favorite thing is when he smiles, though...he sometimes does this when we rub his tummy and talk baby talk to him! He just sits next to us and wacks us with his paw so we'll pay attention to him and talks away - sort of a groaning with accents!!!

 

[NMAmy]

My friend's golden isn't a talker at all. She's very expressive though- we call her the doggie mime
My female beagle is just how you are describing your golden. She doesn't howl like most beagles and trills, pokes, and scratches you to get her point across.

Oh, you don't know how I wish for the doggie mime, some days!

I'm glad other dogs are chatty like this--I've had dogs all my life and this one is just so different from all the rest! She has great amusement value, though, we spend a lot of time laughing at the goofy thing.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

She will "talk" constantly. She doesn't bark excessively but when she wants me to do something (like play) she will bark at me a few times and tug at my sleeve like she's Lassie and Timmy's fallen in the darn well again.

She'll grab a squeaky toy and then just sit next to me squeaking it incessantly and looking at me like she's trying to tell me something in Morse code. It's pretty funny, actually.

I guess I would have to say do you think this is anxiety or boredom or nothing?
The fact that you said "constantly" has me a little concerned. If she is anxious, she is not happy and that is something to think about, you know?
I would try and put a stop to it and see if she is "better"....more relaxed and happy, kind of take control.

As far as "squeaky toys"...They mimic a dying animal and are not good toys for anxious dogs. It makes them more anxious. I would use it for one on one play only right now or not at all.

We have a puppy we are working with "Butters" who is a golden/lab/shepherd mix...lots of kinks with him.
Mix is up and see if she is happier when you stop the "talking" (if it is constant and you think it is an issue).

 

[gharrer]

Our golden, (Chewbacca also). only talks when he wants something-- food play, affection, But barks if talking doesn't work

 

[NMAmy]

I guess I would have to say do you think this is anxiety or boredom or nothing?
The fact that you said "constantly" has me a little concerned. If she is anxious, she is not happy and that is something to think about, you know?
I would try and put a stop to it and see if she is "better"....more relaxed and happy, kind of take control.

As far as "squeaky toys"...They mimic a dying animal and are not good toys for anxious dogs. It makes them more anxious. I would use it for one on one play only right now or not at all.

We have a puppy we are working with "Butters" who is a golden/lab/shepherd mix...lots of kinks with him.
Mix is up and see if she is happier when you stop the "talking" (if it is constant and you think it is an issue).

I was exaggerating when I said "constantly." She really only does it during playtime. She's not an anxious dog--the vet has remarked that she's really pretty mellow for a puppy. I've just never had a "talker" before and wondered if other dogs did this too or if it was a golden trait. She doesn't seem unhappy--it's more like she's just trying to get your attention. Oh, and we are using the squeaky toys during one on one play--it's more like she's teasing me with it--I throw it, she goes to get it and squeaks it all the way back. Or if she wants me to throw it for her, that's when she'll squeak it like Morse code. She squeaks, squeaks, squeaks, and then tosses it in my lap.

I appreciate the advice but I'm not concerned with her behavior. Just curious.

 

[Feralpeg]

I only speak when spoken to, or if I really gotta go and mom isn't paying attention!

Griffin

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I appreciate the advice but I'm not concerned with her behavior. Just curious.

That is OK...it is just hard to tell over the internet. I am dealing with a dog that does have "issues", anxiety & scared. He is getting better, btw!

 

[NMAmy]

That is OK...it is just hard to tell over the internet. I am dealing with a dog that does have "issues", anxiety & scared. He is getting better, btw!

Oh, believe me, I know where you're coming from! I used to have a cocker spaniel/pomeranian mix that was just the most anxious and annoying dog ever. Her only redeeming quality was that she loved me more than life itself. Which meant I had to love her back but she only tolerated my ex and dd because she knew I wouldn't kick them out of the house. Bless her heart, she lived till she was 13 but she had a crabby, grouchy old lady temperment from the time she was about a year old until the day she died.

Good luck with that new dog!

 

[blowinbubbles]

I have a very talkative black lab named Holly. She is very dominant, and tries to assert herself as the Alpha dog over me! At times she's a little rowdy and nippy (following the lead of my boys) and she nipped me on the leg the other day. I scolded her and told her "DOWN," making her lie down on the floor. Oooh, she didnt' like that one bit, but she knew I meant business and layed down. However, she kept "talking" to me the whole time, kinda barking/howling. hehe. . . my dog is a back-talker!