Tucker is precocious! He started his unofficial school therapy dog career just after his birth, with your photos forwarded to maybe 1,000 students whom I volunteer regularly with my senior therapy dog. They were posted on the big screen at classrooms, and it made for many good stories an further relationship building.

I am copying and pasting from another email as Tucker, (drum roll please), OFFICIALLY starts his school therapy dog career!

On Tuesday night Tucker got his S.T.A.R. certificate for puppies. He passed easily even though he was just four months old.

This morning he did his first school therapy hour outside with Washington elementary and Mrs. Stencil's class. I rarely get nervous doing something in public, but I knew that this was uncharted territory for Tucker with maximum distractions for both of us. 

Well, I would give him a ten on a scale of one to ten. The students were exceptionally good, but they naturally surrounded him a couple of times, etc. and he was always confident, sweet/goofy, and relaxed. 

At then after an hour which is a lot for a pup, they all wanted to pose for pictures with him. He executed a very solid sit and stay command for me for multiple photos. I felt overjoyed as all of our efforts of training paid off exactly as I had hoped.

Now for the really fun part-
I am titling the picture below Dumbo, (and I'm not talking about my dawg). ​

Hi, just wanted to give you an update on Louie from the Coco/Silas litter. He is doing great! We can’t believe he has just turned one. Not sure where the time has gone. Louie is a wonderful addition to our family and never fails to make whoever he encounters smile. He is the sweetest boy and we can’t help but think he is the most handsome as well. He is a favorite wherever he goes. People always comment about the beautiful white golden. We couldn’t be more proud. Louie continues to enjoy going for walks and playing with his poodle mix brothers. He is also eager to follow my 17 year old son around, especially when snacks are involved. Louie will miss him next year when he goes to college! He is truly a joy for all of us! Thanks again for all you do, we are absolutely convinced that Snitker Goldens are extra special!

- The Werner Family

Hi Rhonda and Stephanie –
​
Hope all is well at your house.  I wanted to send you a quick update on Mila (Charlie/Silas – July 2016). 
 
I can hardly believe Mila will be 2 this month.  It seems like we just brought her home. 
 
We had family pictures taken last week and Mila loved being a part of the action!  I have attached a few for you.  She is beautiful and so well mannered.  Everyone that meets her is so impressed. 
She is certainly part of the family and makes sure she is in the middle of everything.  She loves her daily walks and is happy this summer with all of our “college kids” home with her. 
 
Mila continues to be very smart.  We try to keep her brain challenged with new things.  We just finished a “Scent-sible Confidence” class with her.  It focused on using the nose to sniff out scents while building confidence.  She could hardly wait her turn during class and loved it very much.
 
Take care and enjoy the summer.  We are looking forward to seeing updates on all of the upcoming litters.
 
Kristin Day and Family

Update on Louie, son of Coco/Silas.

​Our last update was on 4/10/18. He is super fantastic. So handsome and so well behaved. No one can believe how good he is. He is now 61 lbs as of his last vet visit on 7/13. He loves car rides, boat rides, playing with his two brothers and just chilling in a cool spot. It seems like every day we get compliments on his quality. Here are some pictures from May, June, and July.

Happy 1st Birthday to these very special Goldens! 

Hello Rhonda and Stephanie,

I hope you are doing well and preparing for what looks like and exciting puppy season!

Daphne, (Fabi/Jack 7/7/17) is everything we ever hoped for and more in a Golden companion and family dog.  She breezed through her puppy class and also through her Canine Good Citizen class.  When walking her through the trails in our neighborhood, many adults and children alike just have to stop and say hi to Daphne.  People are naturally drawn to her and her calm demeanor.  She sits when anyone approaches her as she has learned that that is how she receives treats and affection!

Naturally, even after her classes we have continued to work on commands.  Many times, she seems to anticipate what I am going to ask of her before I even ask it, that is how in tune she is with me!  I follow your website and have really learned from some of your tips such as separating the “stay” command into either time or distance until they get the hang of it.  She had trouble with “stay" for the longest time, and I could tell after I followed your advice that she was just confused over what I was asking of her.  Within days she had it down! (We're so glad this helped, Jennifer! We always start with time...then distance...then distractions.) 

Although she sticks close by my side, she often checks in on what the kids are doing and has a special relationship with each of them.  They literally lay on the floor and roll around with her sometimes, and she is never anything but gentle and loving toward them, even at just a year old!  She amazes me every day. Thanks so much for all that you do to put such special companions into the lives of people! 

Kind regards,

Jennifer  ​

Our next Fabi litter coming up this year will be with Goose (a Jack son!). If you're interested in learning more about this beautiful pairing, please let us know. There are only two spots remaining to reserve from this upcoming litter. Contact us or fill out a Puppy Application. 

Danny (Coco/Silas 2018) had a 17 wk check and final shots. He’s a big boy: 48.1# (Opie at this age was 38.1). Lol. His paws and legs are large and thick! Vet said perfect weight - has a very visible waist and can easily feel ribs. I wish I could say the same! Danny seems much quicker AT THIS AGE than Opie (Charlie/Silas 2016) was. He is definitely more confident and inquisitive. 

The two are inseparable. 

So pleased (and proud!) to walk our two together. There is never a time in public that someone doesn’t ask “what are they” or “can we pet them?” Must be awesome to have a passionate business, that everyone LOVES the product. LOL

Hope all is well with your young family. I imagine little Baby Kelley is a growin. 
​
- Danny & Opie's Parents :) 

If you'd like to get on the waiting list for the next pairing of our Thevenet girls with Silas, please let us know! Reservations will be filled in order by deposit placed. Coco and Fabi will have their next litters with Silas in this upcoming year. Please fill out our Puppy Application to get this process started or visit Our Puppies to learn more about what is available now. 

A really darling note from a Fabi son and his family.

Dear Momma Fabi,

Although I have been with my forever family for eight weeks now, I wanted to write to wish you a very happy Mother's Day.  I think about you and my sisters often, and Rhonda and Stephanie too.  You would all be so proud of what a good boy I have been since leaving Iowa!  My new family absolutely loves me, and tells me so often what a good boy I am.  I also get about a million kisses and cuddles a day from my new human momma, two sisters and brother, so I'm pretty sure they think I'm a nice addition to the family.  (My human daddy thinks I'm great too, but just isn't into kissing dogs.  Whatever.)  I am so eager to please and have been doing so well with my training.  I am getting great grades at my puppy kindergarten class, and am mastering all of my new commands quickly.  I am more handsome every day and have an incredibly calm disposition.  Thank you for being such a loving momma last winter.  I am clearly the son of a kind, smart, loyal and beautiful mother.  Please give my best to Rhonda and Stephanie.  Their intense imprinting philosophy made all the difference in the kind of boy I am.  My new owners love nothing more than the "watch me" command they taught me.  I love you forever and hope that springtime in Waukon is treating you and all my Snitker family well.

With much love,
Your son,
Louie

Our family is overjoyed with Heidi! We brought her home in March 2018, and she is already an integral part of our lives. Connecting with Rhonda and Stephanie at Snitker Goldens was exactly the right move for finding a young adult Golden that has met all of our needs. Heidi came to us so beautifully trained and so perfectly loving that we have already started working with her in local assisted living facilities and memory care centers. She spreads joy wherever she goes -- oohs and ahhs about how pretty she is and then more compliments about her sweet nature. Heidi moves from resident to resident looking to be pet, and the memory care residents reminisce about their own dogs from years past. 

We are so in love with this sweet girl that my husband said the other day, "I think Heidi needs a sibling!" 

Thank you Snitker Goldens for placing Heidi in our care. 

Sincerely, 
Kari Nelson and family 
South-Central Wisconsin

To learn more about our trained Golden Retrievers, please visit the Gold Select page.

Hi Rhonda and Stephanie,

Just wanted to give you an update on Louie(Mr. Green). He is doing great and is a wonderful addition to our family. We can’t believe how fast he is growing and how quickly he is progressing in many areas. His house training is going very well and he has started to go to the front door to let us know it’s time to go out.
We are still working on walking with the leash, but he is really enjoying getting out for some walks with the other dogs in our family. He still likes to hit the brakes at times, but he is getting more confident every day.

Everywhere he goes he goes he has lots of admirers. He pretty much brought our entire vet’s office to a standstill when he had his first visit. The entire staff had to stop and take a turn holding him. Everyone was amazed at how calm and handsome he is. He pretty much charms everyone he meets. He definitely has our entire family wrapped around his finger!

We have commented several times how truly special Snitker Goldens are and how lucky we are to have one. Louie is a fantastic addition to our family and we thank you very much for giving him such a great start!

​Sincerely, the Werner family

What a fun litter this Coco/Silas bunch was for us - their first pairing ever! Check out the Our Puppies page to see our current pups or email us to learn when we'll be pairing this exceptional parents again!