The Art of Eating Everything - A Goldens Philosophy
- Hoekema Family
- Oct 5
- 7 min read
You’ve anticipated, waited, paced, and dreamt of fur and fluff for months. You wake up early, pack the blankets and make the drive.
You finally scoop this gorgeous soul grabber of a cream puff in to your arms that completely steals your heart. Your heart explodes and you know your life is forever going to be changed for the better.
You imagine long, sun-drenched days of playing fetch, snuggly lap naps, peaceful walks on the beach and loyal and true companionship. Coming home to wet kisses and goofy antics. Long walks and sleepy heads.
You hear people say “They are so food driven” and you think “that’s great for training!”
You hear “Be careful about how much you feed them; they get overweight quickly” and you think “I’ve got this under control”
You hear "be cautious what chewy sticks you offer" and you say "don't worry, I'll use a holder device"
Then you start to hear “Watch them constantly, they eat everything” and you think “oh it’s ok I’ve set up a playpen in my yard”
Then, very quickly you discover what these people really mean! That glorious cream puff of a love bug that of course you love to pieces is ACTUALLY a walking vacuum cleaner turned on high, hoovering up every pine needle, twig, leaf, rocks, garbage, and mysterious scrap in sight.
You are not alone. A lot, I might go out on a limb and actually say ‘most’ golden owners out there, are secretly screaming into a pillow after another "leave it!" command is ignored for a discarded pinecone or a tossed napkin on the sidewalk.
We've all seen that determined side glint in their eyes, the one that says, "This piece of garbage? This is mine now."
Mealtimes? Kibble, supplements, a few green beans and topped with a teeny piece of cheese to try to trick them that it’s an extra special meal. Everything that they nutritionally need and a tiny bit more and you get, “Are you trying to starve me to death?!” “This is all I get?!”
This isn't just about food or the desire for more. It's about an unshakeable conviction that everything is, in fact, edible. For them, a child's forgotten toy is a delicacy. A stray sock is a five-course meal. They don't see trash; they see treasure. They don't hear "no" or “leave it”; they hear "challenge accepted." A treat is gone in .004 secs. A crunchy bone is devoured before it barely leaves your hand and that Bully Stick you just paid $12 for is munched into 3 pieces and consumed before you can shut the door behind you.
Sometimes, you wonder if they're trying to send a message. Is this some kind of protest? A passive-aggressive performance art piece designed to tell you that you've been gone too long? Or are they just living their best, most chaotic life, with a simple philosophy: "If it fits in my mouth, it belongs there"?
The real reason isn't as poetic as you might hope. It's a mix of their natural retrieving instincts and, let's be honest, their utter devotion to all things delicious—a category that seems to encompass literally everything. It’s their way of exploring the world, one questionable item at a time. Whether they are an 8 wk. old puppy or (unfortunately) a 3 yr. old adult. This is a VERY mouthy breed. It’s what they do, it’s what they are bred for, it’s what is deeply engrained in them generations back.
You love them anyway, of course. You just wish you didn't have to keep an eagle eye on them during every wiggly moment of your waking day. The constant vigilance can seem overwhelming and exhausting. So, you go back to the battle of wills, hoping that one day, they'll realize that socks are better worn than ingested, pinecones are better left to the squirrels, rocks are better left on the side of the road and Bully Sticks are better…left at the store.
Until then, you'll just keep chasing them around the yard, yelling, "What do you have?! What do you have in your mouth?!" “Give to mommy!” while you finish sketching your drawing of a full and total revamp renovation of your whole backyard….the street……and the nearby park. You sigh, take a deep breath, smile just a bit and know that this is just part of what you signed up for. This breed is immensely incredible. I always say, Goldens are just about the most perfect breed you can get. Loyal, loving, snuggly, eager to please, have energy to heal, a soul to capture the angels, calm, chill and make the best companions you could possibly ask for.
But yes, I write about this because this part of owning a golden is very real and is a topic that most families don’t even half grasp the reality of until pup comes home. Many families … most… call me only days in after they bring their cream puff baby home and say “You weren’t kidding we’re you!?!” no, I am not.
This brings me to that Bully Stick that I mentioned that should have stayed at the store. Earlier this week I caved and bought all my dogs Bully sticks. I do give my pups that I raise here Bully sticks when they are young but never past around 5 - 6 mths of age. At that stage their adult teeth are/have come in and their munching power increases 10x’s over. Their drive to consume things before the next dog beside them or you, gets it is at an all-time high. Keep it, guard it, eat it quick, for SURVIVAL is what they are thinking.
Those side looks of ‘survival’ flashed up at me, all strength left my body, all rational rules of safety were nowhere to be found, my heart was there’s and I caved…..and I paid for it. What was worse is that Leia paid for my mistake. I woke the next morning to a 1/3rd of that bully stick vomited up in a pile of bile and diarrhea in almost every corner of her crate. My heart sank and immediately I was beating myself up for what I knew was happening. My exceptional vet team who always bends over backwards for me took her in immediately (After a top to bottom clean and bath of course). Fecal test, X-rays, fluids, bloodwork, meds, more x-rays confirmed what I already knew. That bully stick was indeed the culprit and very much in her system causing irritation. The eyes of a golden are capturing, beautiful, healing but very very convincing! sigh
I crossed my fingers and toes we didn’t need to go in surgically. If this step was necessary and indeed taken, I would personally make the decision to skip this upcoming cycle of hers and forgo puppies this round to give her time to heal. I crossed my fingers and toes and sent positive energy up to the heavens.
Good news came back , that the pieces were moving throughout the day after multiple x-rays looking in to see the progress.
By the end of the day, it was determined that it was safe to go home. Meds, supportive care supplements, fluids, probiotics and dehydrated carrots on board, lots of extra love … and many many heart felt apologizes later, we headed home. Not only did that Bully stick that day cost me nearly 1k but more so, my heart hurt deeply for Leia and what I put her through. She is on the mend now and doing so much better. No more Bully sticks for big kids!
So now the question arises, which it always does with every concerned new puppy family…..What DO we give them? What is ok? How do we keep them safe out in the outside world filled with these 'dangerous' sticks, pinecones and rocks.
While doing some research I found some interesting info.....
'A significant number of Golden Retrievers have a genetic mutation, a variant of the POMC gene, that prevents them from feeling full, making them prone to food obsession. This can lead to obesity and other health issues like joint problems, bloat, and even food aggression. Managing this behavior is crucial for their well-being'
'Learned Behavior: Inconsistent feeding or giving in to begging reinforces food-seeking behavior'
'A lack of control in your environment. Ex. Not keeping pup in a playpen, not keeping your backyard free of organic matter. Lack of supervision. '
'Medical Issues: Sudden changes in appetite could signal underlying health problems like diabetes or Cushing's disease, so a vet check-up is recommended if excessive constant consumption continues to be an issue.'
'How to manage your Goldens food drive - Stick to a schedule: Avoid free-feeding and provide reasonable measured meals filled with all their essential nutrients needed.
Use slow feeders: Puzzle feeders or slow-feeder bowls make mealtimes mentally stimulating and prevent rapid eating. Always use a Bully stick holder and take it away when it gets short.
Prevent scavenging: Secure all food, garbage cans, pantries, kids toys, laundry, treats.
Reward calm behavior: Use their food motivation for training, but reward patience, not begging.
Increase exercise: Regular physical and mental exercise can help combat boredom and anxiety, which sometimes triggers food-seeking behavior.
Eating objects is a way for some dogs to cope with these feelings.
Attention-seeking: A dog may learn that eating inappropriate objects is a quick way to get their owner's attention, even if it's negative attention.
Puppyhood habits: Some dogs never completely outgrow the exploratory mouthing and chewing habits they had as puppies but by limiting their exposure you can decrease the total of this habit being long lasting.
By understanding your Golden Retriever's genetic predisposition and implementing consistent management strategies, you can help them develop a healthier relationship with food'
What to do -
'Training and routine:
Teach "leave it" and "drop it": These are crucial commands for preventing your dog from ingesting found items. Practice this with high-value rewards to make it a positive experience.
This is the common training method recommended and taught by many trainers.
I love Susan Garrett, her training beliefs and approach.
In this video she explains why she does NOT teach the 'leave it' command.
Here's another one on this topic -

When to consult a vet if you suspect a possible blockage -
Persistent vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy or loss of appetite
Straining to defecate
Abdominal pain or bloating
‘balling’ up
While a Goldens boundless love for food and anything really that they claim to be ‘edible’ can be endearing, it's a challenge that requires active management and rock-solid diligence to stick to your guns for their safety. With a combination of training, environmental controls, and enrichment, you can help your Golden lead a happy, healthy, and hazard-free life.