Henry & Benny Care Report — Thursday, October 15, 2026 (PT)
Education only — not a substitute for veterinary or professional training advice. Medical decisions: Modern Animal.
🐾 Henry — Puppy (12 weeks 5 days / 2 months 27 days / 89 days old)
Training · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
Stand a few feet from Henry indoors, say "Henry" in a happy voice, and the moment he looks at you say "come" while crouching with open arms. When he reaches you, jackpot him with three or four tiny treats in a row plus praise. Keep each session under 2–3 minutes, stop while he still wants more, and never use his name for things he dislikes. Every happy name→come rep builds the foundation for an emergency recall later, when he is older and off leash in bigger spaces.
Recommended Reading
- Teaching Name Recognition — American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
- How to Teach Your Dog Their Name — American Kennel Club
- Training Your Puppy to Come, Wait, and Follow — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Reliable Recall: Teaching Your Dog to Always Come When Called — American Kennel Club
- Training a Steadfast Recall — Karen Pryor Clicker Training
Caring For Henry · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
Goldens' floppy ears trap warmth and moisture, so teach Henry now that ear handling predicts good things. When he is calm, gently lift one ear flap for a second, peek inside, give a treat, and release, then repeat on the other side for just a few reps without putting anything into the canal. If he pulls away, go back to simply touching the base of the ear paired with a treat. Short, positive sessions like this make future ear checks and cleanings at home and at Modern Animal much easier.
Recommended Reading
- How to Handle Your Puppy to Increase Its Confidence in You — Long Beach Animal Hospital
- Puppy Behavior and Training - Handling and Food Bowl Exercises — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Dog Behavior and Training - Cleaning Ears — VCA Animal Hospitals
- How to Clean Your Dog's Ears — Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Body Sensitivity in Dogs — SPCA of Wake County
Health · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
The American Heartworm Society recommends starting puppies on heartworm prevention as early as the product label allows and no later than 8 weeks, and AAHA and the AVMA support continuous, year-round parasite protection. Today, check Henry's records and confirm with Modern Animal which heartworm and flea/tick protection he is on and when the next dose is due. Because dosing is based on body weight, ask whether his fast growth means the dose will change soon, and set a phone reminder for each dose. Please don't start, switch, or combine any product without Modern Animal's guidance.
Recommended Reading
- Heartworm Basics — American Heartworm Society
- Heartworm Prevention for Dogs — American Heartworm Society
- Parasite Control (Canine Life Stage Guidelines) — AAHA
- Heartworm Disease — American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Flea and Tick Prevention — Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Diet & Exercise · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
Give Henry a "play budget" today: several short bursts of play or walking with real rest in between, rather than one long session. A rough guide AKC cites for structured walks is about 5 minutes per month of age, once or twice a day (roughly 15 minutes per walk for Henry right now), and PDSA notes the rule has no scientific evidence behind it, so treat it as a cautious ceiling, not a target. Free play in the yard is different, but end it when he slows down, lies down, or gets nippy. Skip jogging, stairs, jumping off furniture, and repetitive fetch while his large-breed growth plates are still developing.
Recommended Reading
- How Much Exercise Does a Puppy Need? Mental and Physical Exercises — American Kennel Club
- How Exercise Can Damage Puppy Growth Plates — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Exercising Your Puppy — PDSA
- How to Care for Your Large-Breed Dog — American Kennel Club
- Healthy Weight Gain For Puppies: Understanding Puppy Diets & Exercise — American Kennel Club
Mental Stimulation · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
Play "Which hand?": let Henry watch you tuck a small, smelly treat (or a piece of meal kibble) into one hand, then hold out both closed fists low and apart. When he sniffs or noses the correct hand, open it and let him have the treat; if he picks the wrong one, calmly show the empty hand and try again, and don't reward pawing or biting. Keep it to 5–6 rounds and always end on a win. The game gets him using his nose and builds early patience and impulse control.
Recommended Reading
- Which Hand? — Ultimate Puppy
- The Which Hand Game: An Easy Way To Have Fun With Your Dog — The Tailwag Lab
- Indoor Scent Games For Dogs — American Kennel Club
- How to Teach Your Dog Scent Work at Home — American Kennel Club
- Scent Games for Canine Enrichment — ASPCApro
🐕 Benny — Adult Golden Retriever (2 years 4 months 7 days old)
Training · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
Send Benny to his bed or mat, ask for a down, and build up to 30–60 seconds of calm, settled lying. While he stays relaxed, calmly place treats between his front paws on the mat, then release him with a clear word like "free" so he learns he stays until you say so. Once that is easy, use place while you handle or train Henry separately. It gives Benny a calm, rewarded job instead of hovering over the puppy.
Recommended Reading
- How To Teach Your Dog To Go to Their Place — American Kennel Club
- Teach Settle on a Mat — Karen Pryor Clicker Training
- Teach Your Dog to Settle and Relax on Cue — Whole Dog Journal
- How to Teach a Dog "Place" — Whole Dog Journal
- Teach Your Dog to 'Go to its Place!' — American Kennel Club
Caring For Benny · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
Once today, gently lift each of Benny's ear flaps and look for redness, swelling, or discharge, and bring your nose close to notice any yeasty, sour, or unusual smell. Also notice whether he has been shaking his head, scratching at his ears, or rubbing his head on the floor. Goldens' floppy ears make them prone to ear trouble, so if anything looks, smells, or acts off, call Modern Animal rather than cleaning or treating at home, because a sore ear needs a vet exam first. Give a treat after each ear so the check stays pleasant.
Recommended Reading
- Ear Infections in Dogs (Otitis Externa) — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Dog Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention — American Kennel Club
- Ear Infections and Otitis Externa in Dogs — Merck Veterinary Manual
- Giving Your Dog a Thorough Home Check-up — VCA Animal Hospitals
- How to Clean a Dog's Ears Safely — American Kennel Club
Health · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
Gently lift Benny's lips and check his big canine teeth and the premolars behind them for yellow-brown tartar, and look for red or puffy gums, broken teeth, or bad breath. The AVMA notes most dogs show early periodontal disease by about age 3, and most of it sits below the gumline where you can't see it. Jot down what you notice and ask Modern Animal whether Benny is due for a dental exam or professional cleaning under anesthesia, and which home-care products they recommend. Be gentle and stop if he seems sore, since a painful dog may bite.
Recommended Reading
- Pet Dental Care — American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Dental Disease in Dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Dog & Cat Dental Disease: Signs, Professional Cleanings, Anesthesia, and Home Care — AAHA
- Dental Disorders of Dogs — Merck Veterinary Manual
- Dental Disease Prevention Strategies — AAHA
Diet & Exercise · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
Swap marathon fetch for interval fetch: warm up with a few minutes of easy walking, then do 4–6 short, low throws along the ground with a sit-and-wait between each so Benny can catch his breath and settle. Have him wait until the ball has landed before you release him, and skip high throws that make him leap and twist. Stop while he is still keen, or sooner if he is panting hard or his tongue is widening at the tip. Finish with a slow cool-down walk to protect his joints.
Recommended Reading
- Playing Ball Safely — Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- How Much Play Do Dogs Need? Play Routines for Adult Dogs — American Kennel Club
- PLAY BALL! Fetch Modifications to Keep Your Dog Safe — Elk Lake Veterinary Hospital
- Warm-Ups & Cool Downs For Your Dog's Exercise Routine — Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE)
- How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need? — American Kennel Club
Mental Stimulation · 5 reads
Tip of the Day
With a treat at Benny's nose, slowly lure him in a wide circle and reward as he completes it, rewarding half-circles first if needed. After a few good reps, use the same hand motion without a treat in it and reward from your other hand, then start saying "spin" just before the hand signal. Do only 5–8 short reps and quit while he is enjoying it. Later, teach the opposite direction as "twirl" for a fresh brain challenge.
Recommended Reading
- How to Teach Your Dog to Spin Around — American Kennel Club
- How to Teach Your Dog to Spin — Whole Dog Journal
- Teach Your Dog to Do a Spin — Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
- Advanced Dog Tricks You'll Love to Teach Your Dog — American Kennel Club
- AKC Trick Dog — American Kennel Club
Dr. Golden — Golden Retriever Care Coach. Lifestyle education only. Confirm medical questions with Modern Animal.