Latest news with #GoldenRetrievers
USA Today
3 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Watch puppies react to sting rays, sharks, more at Australia aquarium
A group of future guide dogs in Australia enjoyed a day out at the aquarium as part of their training process. Video footage shows the 9-week-old pups named Bruce, Betsy, Bronte and Barkley visiting the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium in Australia and observing the marine life there. The pups, managed by Petbarn, Australia's largest integrated pet care provider, visited the aquarium as part of their training as future seeing eye dogs for Australians who are blind or have low vision. Watch: Pups react to marine life at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium Petbarn Foundation Manager Janelle Miller told USA TODAY over email on Sunday, July 13, that the puppies "displayed a perfect balance of curiosity and composure" and "explored their environment with interest, observing marine life and investigating different textures while remaining attentive to their handlers.' Which animals did they respond to the most? While the pups observed the oceanarium in awe, they particularly reacted to "large marine life such as sting rays, sharks and turtles moving overhead with appropriate curiosity," Miller said. "They also had a cute interaction with two of SEA LIFE Sydney's scuba divers who were cleaning the tank," she added. Why did the pups visit the aquarium? Bruce, Betsy, Bronte and Barkley are in the initial stages of their development to become Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs, according to Miller, who said the "complete training process takes approximately two years before they're matched with a client who is blind or has low vision." Miller added the dogs' visit to the aquarium was part of the Petbarn Foundation's annual Seeing Eye Dog Appeal, which aims to raise awareness around the foundation's mission and funds to "train 22 Seeing Eye Dogs for Australians who are blind or have low vision." The visit also provides "valuable exposure to unique sensory experiences that these puppies wouldn't encounter in everyday settings," Miller said, explaining the pups experience "different lighting conditions, reflective surfaces, unusual sounds, and varied floor textures" at the aquarium. Puppies 'highly receptive' to new experiences at this age Miller said the puppies' age "represents a critical developmental period" in their training. "At this age, they're highly receptive to new experiences, which is essential for building the foundation for their future work as Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs," Miller said. In their daily life, the puppies also enjoy obstacle courses and exploring new environments, all of which are essential components of their training, according to Miller. Petbarn works with different dog breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Lab/Golden crosses. The breeds are specifically chosen for "their intelligence, temperament, and physical attributes that make them well-suited for training," Miller said. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Hearts Melt As Dog Teaches Mini Golden Doodle To Swim 'Just Like Her'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The heartwarming moment a goldendoodle became an adorable swimming coach to a puppy friend has delighted the internet in a viral video. Jade, 30, from London, shared the moment her dog, Isla, and her parents' puppy, Luna, enjoyed a swim in the pool. "We spend every weekend in Surrey at my parents house, and since she was 4 months old, Isla has been teaching Luna to swim," Jade, who didn't share her surname, told Newsweek. The bond between Luna and Isla is clear as the pair jump into the pool together, with Isla leading the way. The swim lessons have paid off too, with Luna now confidently diving into the water on her own. "Luna now launches herself off the steps and takes herself for a swim," Jade said. "She gets very jealous if we are in the pool too and she wants to join." Pictures of Isla and the puppy Luna enjoying the pool together. Pictures of Isla and the puppy Luna enjoying the pool together. @isladoodlebear/Instagram Their adventures aren't limited to Surrey. Luna often visits Jade in London, where the pair continue their splashy escapades around the capital. "They swim in the lakes around south west they love it. Best of friends," she said. Both dogs are miniature golden doodles, a mix of Golden Retriever and Miniature Poodle. This mix means it is little surprise that Isla and Luna enjoy swimming. Golden Retrievers were originally bred for retrieving game from water, while Poodles were also bred to be water retrievers and even have webbed feet. With more than 800,000 views on Instagram since being shared earlier this month, people couldn't get enough of the adorable moment in the comments. "This is the best thing I've seen all day," said one commenter. While another wrote: "I love how she doesn't take the puppy out too far." "This is amazing!!!! Wow love how attentive and sweet she is with the baby! Wonderful," said another animal lover. This isn't the first time a puppy's swimming skills have gained viral attention. Earlier this year a man shared the moment that caused equal parts panic and pride when his 14-week-old puppy launched himself into the backyard pool. Concerned, the owner instantly got ready to jump in after Zoro the dog, but to his amazement the puppy worked it out, paddling with ease to the side of the pool. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Precious Bunny Refuses To Bond with His Rabbit Sister Because 'He Thinks He's a Dog'
Precious Bunny Refuses To Bond with His Rabbit Sister Because 'He Thinks He's a Dog' originally appeared on PetHelpful. It's always cute as can be when an animal who is not a canine seems to think that they are a dog. Sometimes, an animal, such as an adorable little piggy, will act like they are a dog. And sometimes, other animals, such as bunny rabbits, will do the same. Just take the precious little bunny rabbit in this video, for instance. This feisty little guy totally believes he is a dog, and he is totally adorable for it! According to this video from Instagram user this adorable rabbit has been unable to bond with his bunny sister because he wholeheartedly believes that he is a dog. As this footage shows, he and his bunny rabbit sister don't exactly hit it off. They sniff each other with disinterest, and she appears to bite at him. However, when it comes to playing with his canine siblings, this little rabbit is as rambunctious as can be! It's almost like he's a runs around the yard with his canine siblings. He munches on tasty carrots with them. He hangs out around the house, in all the different places that dogs like to lie down and take a nap, with them. We definitely think it's safe to say that this precious little bunny fancies himself a canine! Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Rabbits As cute as this video is, it is important to note that not all dog breeds will get along well with rabbits. That's why it is important for rabbit parents to choose a dog breed that is known for getting along well with them if they plan on adding a canine to their household. Some dog breeds that are known for getting along well with rabbits include Golden Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Poodles, Collies, and Boxers. As always, proper training and supervision are paramount for making sure that rabbits and dogs can live together peacefully. With the right patience, training, and supervision, it is definitely possible for rabbits and dogs to become besties, just like the ones in this video! Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. Precious Bunny Refuses To Bond with His Rabbit Sister Because 'He Thinks He's a Dog' first appeared on PetHelpful on Jun 27, 2025 This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Golden retrievers killed each other in fights and were left without fresh water at popular attraction where tourists paid to play with the dogs
Golden retrievers have killed each other in savage fights at a popular tourist attraction where visitors are invited to play with the dogs. The Golden Retriever Experience had received international news coverage for its popularity, but today its business owner was banned from keeping dogs for ten years and handed an 18-week sentence, suspended for 12 months. Members of the public had the opportunity to spend time surrounded by dogs out in the fields but behind the scenes the animals were living in poor conditions, with two dying after getting into fights and another having his genitals severed during a fight. Nicolas Eugene Grant St James, 62 from Minehead, pleaded guilty to failing to provide accommodation of a sufficient size for the number of dogs, failing to keep the accommodation clean, failing to provide a comfortable place for the dogs to rest, and failing to provide continuously available fresh, clean drinking water for the animals. The RSPCA first investigated after it received reports of dogs being injured and dying due to fights breaking out in overcrowded conditions as part of the commercial operation. After failing to meet the RSPCA's requested improvements, the police removed all the dogs from the property. The vet who examined the dogs said they were 'not protected from pain, injury, suffering, and disease'. They added that 'none of the dogs' needs under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act were met. 'The environment was inadequate in size and comfort; there was a lack of constant access to clean drinking water; dogs were not protected from pain, injury, suffering, and disease; and they were unable to exhibit normal behaviour or be separated when needed.' The dog centre opened ten years ago by St-James, who wanted to invite people to 'join our incredible pack of goldies for some much-needed doggy cuddles.' The website adds that the dogs are 'impeccably trained and endlessly affectionate,' perfect for dog lovers who don't own their own pets. A basic two-hour long session set adults back £60, seniors £50, and children £30, but is free for children under two. The business blew up after a TikTok user recommended people visit the centre after going there with her partner to mark their anniversary. Her video, showing dozens of retrievers frolicking in the grass, went viral, reaching more than 4 million views on the platform. A behaviourist, whose report was used as evidence, said that their access to water was restricted: 'The dogs were kept in crowded conditions within a dirty home when not at the 'experience'. 'Bedding was not provided and drinking water was restricted to prevent indoor urination. The group included unspayed females and unneutered males living in close contact. 'The dogs in this case were not provided with adequate resting or sleeping places, ideally all dogs should be provided with options for resting places that provide appropriate comfort. In such a large group of dogs a number and variety of types of bed is preferable. Bedding can be considered a valuable resource by dogs. 'Dogs with higher levels of impulsivity and fear are more likely to display resource guarding aggression. 'Resource guarding aggression represents behaviours such as growling, freezing, snapping and biting. 'This behaviour can be shown by some domestic dogs that are possessive of valued resources, for example, food, toys or sleeping sites.' She continued: 'DEFRA's code of practice for the welfare of dogs states fresh clean drinking water should be available at all times. The restriction may increase the value of water to this group of dogs which may cause conflict over the resource when it is available to them.' St James was handed an 18- week sentence, suspended for 12 months. He is also banned from keeping dogs for ten years, must carry out 200 hours of community service, ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days and pay £5,000 costs and a £150 victim surcharge. During sentencing District Judge Brereton told St James he repeatedly ignored advice and warnings, that the provision for his dogs was 'woefully inadequate', and that this led to deaths and serious injuries. She also said he showed 'no remorse' and focused on his personal 'financial loss' rather than the impact on the dogs welfare. RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel said after the hearing: 'These dogs were failed when it came to receiving the care they needed. 'Water, comfort and a safe living environment are basic needs that every owner has a duty to fulfil to ensure the needs of their animals are being met.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Video: Golden Retriever With Big Feelings Wants to Cuddle While Owner Comforts Him
There's no such thing as a low-maintenance Golden Retriever — not emotionally, at least. They love hard, play hard, and apparently, pout even harder. One Golden named Wally recently showed us that dogs can absolutely have a 'long day' and need to decompress just like anyone else. Thankfully, his mom was there to provide comfort, emotional support, and, most importantly, a video of the whole dramatic exchange. Wally is a sensitive soul and has big emotions, really big. The Golden Retriever recently became the center of attention on Instagram after his owner shared a touching video of him needing some serious emotional comfort. The clip starts with Wally sitting quietly in front of the camera, looking unusually somber. Picking up on his mood, his mom begins speaking to him gently, asking why he's feeling down. She goes on to reassure him, listing all the good things that happened that day: how his grandma and aunt came over, how he got not one but two new toys. Wally, however, doesn't seem too convinced. As she holds up his new carrot toy in an effort to spark some excitement, the sad-eyed pup barely glances at them. Instead, he nudges his head into her face, seeking comfort over distractions. The most touching part of the video comes when Wally keeps leaning into his mom, resting his head against her as she pets him softly. His eyes close for a moment, as if he is soaking in every word and every gentle touch. 'It's okay, you don't have to be sad,' she says, as she pets him with calm, quiet affection. In the caption, his mom summed up the moment, writing, 'Golden Retrievers really do feel everything.' And judging by the comments, viewers couldn't agree more. One person wrote, 'He misses his Grandma and aunty. Such an emotional boiiiii.' Another commented, 'He needs an emotional support human.' Many users expressed how much they wanted a Golden Retriever after seeing the video, with one commenter adding, 'They really make my heart smile.' The post Video: Golden Retriever With Big Feelings Wants to Cuddle While Owner Comforts Him appeared first on DogTime.
