Treaty Oak Goldens

10/25/2023

Oh, Enzo! When your people decide you have advanced into the circle of trust group... but you show them you still have a few poor decisions up your sleeve🙄.

Thankfully, his rug chewing didn't fully reach the other side. 🤨

10/24/2023

It's always great to be able to see the different roles these three types of animals serve. I find a lot of people misunderstand both the role of my therapy dog and my service dog.

People sometimes question whether interactions with a therapy dog are appropriate. I frequently need to explain. No, the therapy dog is here to serve YOU.

In contrast, when in public with my service dog, wearing a vest clearly outlining, do not distract, no petting, don't talk TO the dog, people frequently find that very difficult to manage. I spend a lot of time just ignoring people. I would spend the majority of my time trying to pick something up at a store, "educating" people on proper service dog etiquette. Yes, the dog is beautiful, but please respect that he's working. That means not talking to him, at him, etc. Don't make kissing noises, or otherwise try to distract the dog. While my service dog may not be a critical medical alert animal, others are!

10/14/2023

Enzo and Olive were our dinner companions last night at Fish City Grill.

They are becoming regular celebrities!

10/07/2023

Enzo and Indigo wandered Helotes Market days today. The weather was absolutely perfect!

10/02/2023

It's here! The long awaited follow-up to the empowered breeder/Badass Breeder program!

This book takes everything we do to raise puppies up to eight weeks old when you take them home and gives you the guide to continue and build off that foundation.

I am so excited to dive into this book and see what's in store. I'm also excited to have such an awesome resource to offer to our puppy parents that will enable them to be successful in raising their own empowered puppy further!

09/29/2023

Monroe today was elevated to "therapy Yetti." No, he's not an officially registered therapy dog, but he freelances here as needed.

I've had a lot of life issues that have been piling up on me lately. It was getting hard to manage my emotions. I knew I needed to have a good cry, but I just couldn't get there. I went outside, called the big guy over, and just buried my face in his massive mane. That was all I needed to start sobbing. He just sat patiently while I let my emotions flow.

When I had finished, I just thanked him for being there. Being willing and able to take on my "stuff".

Our dogs are truly remarkable creatures ❤️.

09/25/2023

Enzo with an ear flip on a Monday.

09/19/2023

We got a surprise package from today! It's a portrait of our Nutmeg 🥰. She's a fairly elusive member of our pack and one who isn't easily photographed.

It's very nice to get this painting of her as she's getting up there in years. She turned 12 this summer.

Thank you, Chewy, for such a thoughtful gift! 💕

09/17/2023

I have been getting followed daily by these accounts. Usually several every day. The content is almost identical. The names have changed, but one thing stays consistent, the country of origin.

I have no idea what the game is here, what's to gain, but every single account has at least 1000 followers. I've to date blocked almost 60! At first, I followed them back but then one day realized they looked familiar.

I don't know what the end game is, but I doubt it is to just gain followers.

09/15/2023

If you need to find Olive, just look under your chair. That's where she spends most of her time.

09/10/2023

If you met him at home, you'd never believe this dog could manage himself as a service dog in public..but he does. It's almost like magic.

EVERY time I go out with him, I'm absolutely blown away that he CAN do what he does. At home, he's a run away freight train. He's a lot to handle some days! He needs a lot of attention to keep his energy needs under control... Put a service dog vest on him and take him in public, and he's a COMPLETELY different dog.

I always come away so impressed with his drive to work, please, and overall ability to manage while working.

Ellis! You are one of a kind!

08/26/2023

08/20/2023

We are proud to be Baxter & Bella Partners!

We started using this program to raise the pups entering our program and were so impressed with the quality and content, we felt it was something we wanted to make available to all our puppy families, friends and followers.

Click below to be taken to their learn more page, or ask us about our experience! We will gladly tell you how happy we are with the program.

www.baxterandbella.com/learn-more

You can use code TREATYOAK for a 25% discount!

08/16/2023

If you've followed us for a while, you'll know we are very natural in our approach to pest control.

We've used beneficial insects in our yard to control fleas and ticks for years, and YES!, it works. BUT, they don't work on mosquitoes. 🦟

This year, I stumbled across a product from and thought, why not?

Well, guess what? It actually works quite well. I can't say it is 100% effective against all mosquitoes, but there is a HUGE reduction. I am a magnet for the buggers and I can go outside with skin exposed and not be eaten alive.

I may still get one or two bites, but not even daily. I will definitely take that!

These are super simple to set up and easy to maintain. I would highly recommend them!

08/11/2023

This is a very important perspective! Understanding what or who you are supporting.

08/10/2023

Indigo 💙

Part of my heart that lives on the outside.

07/25/2023

Using a stroller for our puppies who aren't fully vaccinated has been a total game changer!

It has given us the ability to safely socialize puppies, go out on walks, stores, adventures, and even make vet visits less stressful!

We got Olive's vaccinations done at a pop-up clinic on Sunday. They thanked me for bringing her in a stroller! We made an early appointment, but it's still pretty warm here in the morning. The stroller allowed me to do all the check-in/check out without a wiggly puppy in my arms.

For our vet visits in a clinic, I don't have to worry at all about puppy feet on the floor! We just ride in, in style! The puppies have both acclimated to it quickly and are very at ease in it.

I previously had bought a little wagon, which does have more space in it and will be helpful for certain things. But this stroller is definitely more convenient. It pops up and down easily, isn't too heavy, and has good ventilation.

This was definitely a "worth the money" purchase!

07/18/2023

07/15/2023

Little Miss Frejya had her last round of shots today.😪 She's hanging out with us on a Saturday while her guardian family spends family time out in the sun.

We are always happy to have her with us. She's napping away the morning. She's doing well after her vaccinations, but it's usually not any puppies best day.

07/08/2023

Some days, you just sleep. If you have an Indigo, that's the best nap ever!

06/30/2023

The mentorship class with Jeanette Forrey has been amazing, insightful, and inspiring! You've pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me in ways you'll never know!

I can't wait for the next opportunity to learn. I have signed up for several more seminars, adding the mini sessions to my teachable account, and looking forward to all things to come.

Thank you for being a builder of a positive community of like-minded people ❤️ Thank you for being willing to be vulnerable and share your knowledge.

06/28/2023

Our friends at Fox Ridge Golden Retrievers have puppies available from several litters. All ready to go home in the next couple of weeks. Dindy and Ken are doing a fantastic job with these babies. They are raised on Badass Breeder Curriculum, well socialized and raised in a home with love and care.

06/27/2023

Our Why. What's the reason you do what you do?

06/24/2023

A little evening out with Enzo and Indigo. Fish City Grill has become our new favorite dinner spot. It's super dog friendly food, and service is always great, and the outdoor seating is perfect!

The staff is always kind to the dogs. I think this will be our summer spot!

06/22/2023

Another evening of breeder education through mentoring. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to learn more, get to know others in this community, and grow! Thank you, Jeanette, for pushing us out of our comfort zones and into a place of growth.

I always have some companions with me as I sit and watch. Enzo and little Frejya are in the second photo. Ellis was there too, but I didn't get his picture.

06/20/2023

This is going to be an excellent breeder conference. They have a virtual option if you aren't able to attend in person.

06/11/2023

An update from , who has Ellie from our 2019 litter..

"Hello! Just wanted to check in and send some Ellie pics. We had our 4 year checkup yesterday and got an A++ bill of health.. not to mention being told this girl the best behaved dog our vet had all day!! Hope all is well with your crew. 💕"

They live a few hours away in Houston, so we do get to meet up occasionally. I'm hoping to do so again soon! We LOVE getting updates from our puppy families!

05/22/2023

Over the past year or so, we've had issues trying to get Indigo's thyroid issues sorted out. I think we are back on track now. Since some of the symptoms can be quite subtle (Indigo didn't present with most of the common ones in an obvious way), I thought we would share our experience.

One of our previous Goldens had a thyroid issue. It took us quite a while to realize what was going on. Now, it's much easier to recognize things earlier and get treatment.

05/22/2023

05/17/2023

Our website is now live. It is still under construction, so not all pages have content. There are still some edits to do on certain pages, so you grammar police will need to be patient. 😘

We thank everyone who has supported our pages! Growing a social media presence takes a lot of work. We appreciate you!

We are a small breeder located in San Antonio, Texas. We have a 30 plus year history of raising Golden Retrievers. The breed is our true passion. Our focus is to better the breed, to change breeding from bad to Badass. Our dogs are fully health tested, paired to optimize traits, have the best

05/16/2023

Have you ever used beneficial insects in your yard? We swear by them. They allow us to not use any flea or tick medications with our six dogs. Over the 14 years we have lived here, I have found two ticks and both could be attributed to other locations the dogs had been.

We do still have to use heartworm medication, as these nematodes cannot control mosquitoes.

05/15/2023

You may have heard the term "velcro dog" before in regards to certain breeds.

What exactly does this term mean? Well... the dog just wants to stick to you!

Golden Retrievers can definitely be velcro dogs.

With a pack of Golden Retrievers, we have a range of personalities. Ellis is definitely a velcro boy!

He will follow me wherever I go (if allowed) and is right under my feet if he's free in the room with me. Since this behavior can become a bit obsessive (🤣), we set boundaries and limitations, so our pups know what's acceptable.

Ellis isn't allowed to "always" follow me or lay at my feet. But, we also allow for the fact that our dogs have different ways of expressing themselves and work with that. We avoid allowing anything that can become demanding or possessive behavior with positive boundaries.

05/14/2023

Crate training can be challenging. It takes time, patience, and commitment. The reward is creating a positive association with being in a crate that lasts long after the pup is no longer required to stay in one daily.

Fiona, at four years old, has transitioned from sleeping in a crate at night or while we are not at home.

She has a very positive association with crates and will put herself in an open crate at various times during the day.

Our adult dogs no longer stay in crates at home, but knowing we've prepared them to be able to be crated at different times is super important.

You never know when it might be needed for an emergency veterinary visit, boarding, training, etc.

Set them up from lifelong success from the start!

05/11/2023

If you are a dog breeder in Texas, this will affect you! Please read the AKC article linked and send a message to the Governor to get the bill just passed by the Texas house of representatives.

Today, the Texas House of Representatives passed SB 876. The bill will now go to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. The bill will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and is engaged in the business of breeding those dogs for sale to secure a state license.

05/05/2023

Ellis is doing great in his training sessions with ❤️

We've made some good progress on foundational concepts. He came to me with a great foundation in obedience, but we hadn't yet really made the type of connection and bond through training that I had desired.

We are making great steps towards building that relationship! 😍

Photos 📸 by

04/28/2023

Storm watching with Monroe! Our Yetti is not at all a fan of the epic, wicked Texas thunderstorms... ⛈️

We've had quite a few lately, and I think it's fair to say that he's over it.

He rarely comes inside during the day and is almost never allowed in the living room as past, undesirable behavior has suggested he can't be trusted..🙄 As long as he is securely fastened into a giant belly band (marking!🤬) he is allowed to be in the living room for these times when he gets stressed. We separate him from the other dogs because he's in a state of stress during storms, so it's best not to tempt fate! He can be a little intense 😳.

Once the storm stops, he will immediately want to return outside. For now, he's trying to be a VERY large lap dog and wants me right by his side...cuz I've got nothing else to do than hold the paw of a giant scared dog! 🤣

04/02/2023

I need to be more like my dogs!



❤️

03/30/2023

One of the best things I heard recently in regards to finding a quality breeder was to find a breed nerd! Someone who truly knows the breed, its history, and who has worked with, owned, and cared for the breed for years. Someone passionate about the breed you want to acquire.

There are many more questions I could list! It might seem overwhelming to do so much work and research for "just a dog," but if you are truly looking for a quality, well bred dog, these are the best steps to get there.

I will probably do a couple of additional posts on more things to consider when looking for a breeder and whether or not a breed is right for you.
Treaty Oak Goldens

03/25/2023

This one can be a bit touchy with people. We like our homes, laundry, etc, to smell nice. We want our lawn to look lush and w**d free. We want to avoid pests and insects in and around our homes and gardens.

The problem is that all of these things have an impact on our dogs' health. Usually to a much greater degree than they do to human health, but that is an aspect to consider as well.

A little time spent researching Voc's and the effects they can have on animals might make you reconsider some of the choices you make with fragrance products and chemicals in your home.

After a lot of research and education on the topic, we rarely burn any scented candles, use only wool dryer balls, make careful choices with cleaning products and don't use room sprays, scented detergents etc.

This extends to the outside of our home where we use no chemicals AT ALL! NONE! Our yard is controlled by beneficial insects, cedar or pine mulch, and diatomaceous earth. We live in TEXAS people! We have bugs! But this works very well for us!

We apply our beneficial insects yearly, always adding as much as we can to the environment with ladybugs, praying mantis pods, and of course our main focus, nematodes.

Additionally, our dogs do not use any oral flea/tick medications. We DO NOT have problems with fleas or ticks! I do keep on hand a fast acting oral medication with a very low toxicity level for times we might pick up something away from home. It may get used once a year, max!

Our dogs do use oral heartworm medication. We follow a more moderate protocol and give it slightly less frequently. We have always had negative yearly tests.

These are the things we do after much research and on the advice/ information from trusted sources. Please do your own research and know what you are doing and why! 😁