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. Be Social!
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 Dear Rhonda and Stephanie, The idea of me writing an update on a Snitker Golden seems unbelievable. The fact that I am writing that update while my Snitker Golden sleeps at my feet is even more unbelievable. Five years ago as the newest Snitker Golden team member, I stepped foot in the puppy barn and was amazed by all the sights, sounds, and smells. Ever so carefully handling my first Snitker Golden pup that night, my heart almost burst. I didn’t know it was possible to love such a tiny creature that much. Until one holds one of these pups in their arms, it is hard to describe just how much love and imprinting goes into them. From each careful ENS exercise to cleaning their messy faces after a well-enjoyed meal of gruel, nothing happens without every ounce of determinedness and love of which you are capable. As a behind the scenes gal, I had gotten quite used to that side of the Snitker Goldens family. It is hard work and there were days where I just didn’t know what to do with myself but it is OH so rewarding seeing those pups go home to their families. That first day at the Snitker farm, I knew someday I would call one of these Goldens my own. I could barely stand to wait. Fast forward five years and that time has come when I least expected it. Being contacted about possibly being able to bring one of these puppies home still seems like a dream. I spent so many nights praying and wishing it would be the year I’d get my beloved puppy. Getting the call from Rhonda was a dream come true and a prayer answered. When I met the Fabi Five I was very clear that Mister Yellow (Goose) was not the right fit for me. He was too boisterous and to be frank, too much boy. I had always pictured myself with a sweet, quiet girl and Mister Yellow was anything but. However, after meeting the litter I could not stop picturing myself with him. The day I picked him up he gave me the gentlest and longest lick on my nose and I knew he was the right one for me. Rhonda, you sure do know how to match pups with people. The past four and a half months with him have been absolutely crazy. I mean that in all the good ways. Ha! He really is my perfect puppy. He has slept through the night since night one and was very quick to house break. Goose is loving, stubborn, opinionated, funny, loud, and so much more. Everywhere we go he is complimented and I am asked from where he came. I am not surprised when people respond “Oh! I’ve heard such good things about them!” when I say he is a Snitker Golden. People are constantly in awe of his temperament, his coat, and his head. We get more compliments on his head than one might believe haha. Soon Goose will be entering into obedience courses and eventually will be in training to be a therapy dog. Currently he is an emotional support animal for myself and I cannot imagine my life without him. He has been so good for me. As I think back on all the pups I wished I could bring home with me, I realize they weren’t the ones my heart needed. The one I needed is the one I have; my floppy, clumsy, all boy, Goose. Much love always, Hannah & Goose
Hi Rhonda and Stephanie, I wanted to write to give you an update on Daphne, and to send you a video that my son made of her. We could not have chosen a better puppy for our family! Daphne was 14 weeks old when we were given the opportunity to adopt her. For us, this timing was perfect. She already had a wonderful temperament and a fabulous start at Snitker Goldens. The fact that she was already "started" was a huge head start for us. From the first night, she went into her crate readily, slept all night and was already in the house training routine. She just completed her Puppy Kindergarten class, and while other families had behavior and training issues that they were inquiring about at each class, we literally had no issues with Daphne! She is still a puppy, and needs all of the love and care and attention that any puppy needs, but she is so relational and so desires to please that she is a joy to train and spend time with. My son spends a lot of time with her every day after school, and when he showed me this video, I was so happy! Thanks again for all that you do; your work impacts so many individuals and families. Jennifer and family My Friend Daphne |
 3/2 Albie and I went to the local elementary school and read to the children for Read Across America Day. Well, I did most of the reading. |  3/9 early am - Albie and I volunteered at the USO at Dulles airport. I helped our active and veteran military sign in and Albie greeted. |
 3/11-Albie joined my husband Michael and me at a charity ball in Washington DC. Notice Albie is wearing a bowtie. |  3/13 - Albie got a letter in the mail from one of the children we Met when we visited the elementary school on March 2. |
Hi Stephanie - Greetings from Minnesota! Charlie is doing well and feeling very at home with his family and big brother Jack. He continues his training and I agree that like Hollie, he is very smart and easy to train. He loves the outdoors and is a good walker. He is also extremely gentle with the mouth. He has never even attempted to nip at anyone. He is gentle on things in the house and has never tried to chew on the leg of a chair or the fringe of a rug.
He loves his big brother Jack and they play very well together. However, he is not afraid to be independent of Jack and will be outside without Jack as well. As far as growth, he is 62lbs and almost the height of Jack. He is extremely agile and has long legs. He is a very handsome man!
I will say though Charlie is a creature of habit. I have never successfully gotten him to sleep past 6 am since we got him. It doesn't matter if he has had a very active day or a more low key day, whether he goes to sleep at 9:00pm or 11:00pm, he is always up at 6:00am or 5:00am or sometimes lately 4:30am. I would be curious to see if any of the other puppies in this litter are the same way? Also, if there are any techniques to try to get him to sleep longer if the house is quiet and he his kennel in familiar surroundings? Any tips would be appreciated. (Charlie's sister, Hollie, tried this very same thing with us...we shared some helpful tips that have worked for us in the past and Charlie quickly agreed that 4:30am was too early! Good choice, Charlie ;)
Well - that is about all from here. We love Charlie very much and are grateful we have such a wonderful dog. Thanks! Molly
He loves his big brother Jack and they play very well together. However, he is not afraid to be independent of Jack and will be outside without Jack as well. As far as growth, he is 62lbs and almost the height of Jack. He is extremely agile and has long legs. He is a very handsome man!
I will say though Charlie is a creature of habit. I have never successfully gotten him to sleep past 6 am since we got him. It doesn't matter if he has had a very active day or a more low key day, whether he goes to sleep at 9:00pm or 11:00pm, he is always up at 6:00am or 5:00am or sometimes lately 4:30am. I would be curious to see if any of the other puppies in this litter are the same way? Also, if there are any techniques to try to get him to sleep longer if the house is quiet and he his kennel in familiar surroundings? Any tips would be appreciated. (Charlie's sister, Hollie, tried this very same thing with us...we shared some helpful tips that have worked for us in the past and Charlie quickly agreed that 4:30am was too early! Good choice, Charlie ;)
Well - that is about all from here. We love Charlie very much and are grateful we have such a wonderful dog. Thanks! Molly
Albie at work with me (Leann) A quick update from Albie's handler, Leann. Thanks, Leann, for taking such good care of this sweet boy!
Here are a few pictures of Albie, I will send more in the near future. This weekend we are volunteering at the USO at Bethesda.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is recognized as the gold standard for dog behavior. Albie passed his CGC test on February 4th, he turned 6 months old on January 20, 2017
Here are a few pictures of Albie, I will send more in the near future. This weekend we are volunteering at the USO at Bethesda.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is recognized as the gold standard for dog behavior. Albie passed his CGC test on February 4th, he turned 6 months old on January 20, 2017
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I am working on some good current photos of Cooper. Problem is, he moves so fast I can never get more than a blur.
Cooper is also smart as a whip. He enjoys -- loves!! -- daycare, and already has several besties there, lol. The handlers love him as well and also comment how sweet and how smart he is. I planted some pansies and snapdragons yesterday and, well, you know how dogs love to help their owners in the garden. It only required one "uh-uh" and he never tried to dig up the flowers again. Unfortunately, it poured for approximately 3 minutes later in the afternoon and he found his own mud puddle to play in while I was putting away groceries. He was a filthy dog.
I wanted to let you know how he is working out with Kaya and Duke, as you took that into strong consideration when choosing him for us. From almost day one, Cooper has managed Kaya quite well. By managed, I mean managed. He's a little general and she's his soldier. Mostly, I think she just doesn't want to deal with this interloper--she is truly a gentle soul with somewhat sloth like movements, so she mostly stays out of his path. We have heaped attention on Kaya and she is so appreciative, so we have tried to be aware of her hurt feelings. Over the weeks, her dismay is turning over to acceptance, and now at daycare (since he has graduated to the big dog room) they say Kaya goes and checks on him every so often just to make sure he's ok. They play more often now, but Kaya has clearly assumed her rightful guardian duties and Cooper acknowledges that. Every now and then he alerts her to something with a bark, but overall he leaves that to her.
Duke, our son's lab mix, is Cooper's fave dog pal. They are now nearly the same height and play like crazy. Inevitably, they do play tug with each other. Usually, it is that Duke just lays there and holds the thing, and Cooper tries to get some purchase on him. The other night, though, despite Duke's best efforts, Cooper pulled him a couple of inches. They get along famously, and Cooper is the boss of Duke, too.
Cooper is also smart as a whip. He enjoys -- loves!! -- daycare, and already has several besties there, lol. The handlers love him as well and also comment how sweet and how smart he is. I planted some pansies and snapdragons yesterday and, well, you know how dogs love to help their owners in the garden. It only required one "uh-uh" and he never tried to dig up the flowers again. Unfortunately, it poured for approximately 3 minutes later in the afternoon and he found his own mud puddle to play in while I was putting away groceries. He was a filthy dog.
I wanted to let you know how he is working out with Kaya and Duke, as you took that into strong consideration when choosing him for us. From almost day one, Cooper has managed Kaya quite well. By managed, I mean managed. He's a little general and she's his soldier. Mostly, I think she just doesn't want to deal with this interloper--she is truly a gentle soul with somewhat sloth like movements, so she mostly stays out of his path. We have heaped attention on Kaya and she is so appreciative, so we have tried to be aware of her hurt feelings. Over the weeks, her dismay is turning over to acceptance, and now at daycare (since he has graduated to the big dog room) they say Kaya goes and checks on him every so often just to make sure he's ok. They play more often now, but Kaya has clearly assumed her rightful guardian duties and Cooper acknowledges that. Every now and then he alerts her to something with a bark, but overall he leaves that to her.
Duke, our son's lab mix, is Cooper's fave dog pal. They are now nearly the same height and play like crazy. Inevitably, they do play tug with each other. Usually, it is that Duke just lays there and holds the thing, and Cooper tries to get some purchase on him. The other night, though, despite Duke's best efforts, Cooper pulled him a couple of inches. They get along famously, and Cooper is the boss of Duke, too.
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As for having a writing companion, I couldn't be more pleased. I was a bit worried that with his energy level, this would be an issue. Not so. He settles down quite nicely--at my feet, too, which is precious. I really didn't expect such calm behavior until at least a year, so I love that he is such a good boy and I can get some work done. The other night I went to work in my office and he came in to sleep by me. After about five minutes, though, he left. A few minutes later he returned, with a horn to chew on, and laid down beside me again. He'd given it some thought and come up with a plan. It was so sweet.
My parents are in town, so I have delayed classes with him just a bit. He starts obedience in a couple of weeks, though we have learned quite a few basics at home. He learns very quickly. Scott and I also walk the dogs about a mile each night, so he is learning good leash manners. I look forward to involvement in a local therapy group called Divine Canines. We love the earnest, attentive look on his face when he is waiting for release on a "stay". It is priceless.
All in all (and I am sure you hear this all the time but maybe it never gets old) we are so thrilled with every aspect of him. He has really been such an easy pup and I know this is down to good breeding and the work you do with them at the very earliest stages. BTW, when I need to find him and get him to me fast, or he is having a bad dream, I call him the way I've heard Rhonda call him on the videos. It is amazing how immediate and impactful that recall is to him.
Thank you for everything!
Best,
Deb
My parents are in town, so I have delayed classes with him just a bit. He starts obedience in a couple of weeks, though we have learned quite a few basics at home. He learns very quickly. Scott and I also walk the dogs about a mile each night, so he is learning good leash manners. I look forward to involvement in a local therapy group called Divine Canines. We love the earnest, attentive look on his face when he is waiting for release on a "stay". It is priceless.
All in all (and I am sure you hear this all the time but maybe it never gets old) we are so thrilled with every aspect of him. He has really been such an easy pup and I know this is down to good breeding and the work you do with them at the very earliest stages. BTW, when I need to find him and get him to me fast, or he is having a bad dream, I call him the way I've heard Rhonda call him on the videos. It is amazing how immediate and impactful that recall is to him.
Thank you for everything!
Best,
Deb
*From Assistant Dog in Training (ADIT) Albie's temporary handler, Randi. Veterans Moving Forward (VMF) and their volunteer handlers work with their ADIT pups for up to two years before placing the pup they have cared for in the hands of a veteran. Many thanks to Donna (Prince and Vincent's handler) and Randi (Albie's temporary handler) for the work, care, and love you put into these precious Snitker Goldens.
I sent my father-in-law a picture of Albie a month or two ago and his response was that the puppy looks ‘wise.’ I think that’s a great way to describe Albie if you could only use one word. He is quite intelligent – picks up commands super quickly and remembers them well. He likes to work every morning, practicing what he’s learned. When I taught him to ‘get dressed’ (put on his jacket) we started with an old scarf of mine. I held it in a loop in front of him and lured him to put his head through it. I had that scarf loosely looped around my neck yesterday and it fell forward when I bent over. Albie ran up to me, quickly put his head through the loop with mine and looked up for some praise. I think he has a wonderful sense of humor hiding behind those dark eyes.
I sent my father-in-law a picture of Albie a month or two ago and his response was that the puppy looks ‘wise.’ I think that’s a great way to describe Albie if you could only use one word. He is quite intelligent – picks up commands super quickly and remembers them well. He likes to work every morning, practicing what he’s learned. When I taught him to ‘get dressed’ (put on his jacket) we started with an old scarf of mine. I held it in a loop in front of him and lured him to put his head through it. I had that scarf loosely looped around my neck yesterday and it fell forward when I bent over. Albie ran up to me, quickly put his head through the loop with mine and looked up for some praise. I think he has a wonderful sense of humor hiding behind those dark eyes.
 Albie voting... |  Church library mascot |  Parade Day! |
This month Albie has started going more places with me, beginning with a trip to the polls on Election Day. Each week we go to Sunday school together or work in the church library. (Yes, he’s got a fan club! Veterans Moving Forward is a mission partner of Vienna Presbyterian Church and a lot of the members now look for him each week.) We attend meetings together and this afternoon we’ll visit the Orvis store, which welcomes all dogs. Albie really likes to ride in the car.
When not working…..well, do you know the expression, “if you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch”? Albie will never be on the porch. He LOVES playing with the older, much bigger ADITs and joyfully did so in the break room at Cocktails with Canines this month. They were twice his size and that was in no way intimidating for him. Other loves? Playing tug of war with Steve’s and my Schneagle, Fritzl, and playing hide & seek in the house with me. The tail never wags faster than when he hears me laugh and say, “You found me!”
Albie is loving and fun and smart. It will be tough to turn him over to his permanent raiser next month, but I’m so grateful I’ll still get to see him on occasion and will hopefully have an opportunity to sit for him when Leann needs help.
- Randi
When not working…..well, do you know the expression, “if you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch”? Albie will never be on the porch. He LOVES playing with the older, much bigger ADITs and joyfully did so in the break room at Cocktails with Canines this month. They were twice his size and that was in no way intimidating for him. Other loves? Playing tug of war with Steve’s and my Schneagle, Fritzl, and playing hide & seek in the house with me. The tail never wags faster than when he hears me laugh and say, “You found me!”
Albie is loving and fun and smart. It will be tough to turn him over to his permanent raiser next month, but I’m so grateful I’ll still get to see him on occasion and will hopefully have an opportunity to sit for him when Leann needs help.
- Randi
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