Golden Retrievers are very happy dogs. They love their favorite humans, their favorite toys, and their favorite places. As long as they have that, they’re golden… No pun intended. They’re so perfect. There’s a reason why they’re one of the most beloved dog breeds of all time!

One of the things that makes Golden Retrievers the happiest, though, is food. These dogs are very food-motivated, and they will do anything you ask as long as you offer them a snack. When mealtime comes, though, you’d better watch out! Hunger can turn these kind dogs into wolves!

Recently, one Golden Retriever wasn’t going to let anything get him down, though. While he was waiting for his breakfast, he decided to get some outside time in, and he was having the most fun ever! His happy hops meant everything to his mom:

Gus the Golden Retriever is the king of two things: my heart and self-sufficiency. While he loves playing with his mama, he also doesn’t mind grabbing a ball and running around by himself for a little while here and there. He has a gorgeous fenced in yard that’s perfect for that!

Gus is still a puppy, though he’s definitely getting older! He looks so grown up in this clip, but his puppy-like spirit is certainly a giveaway that he’s still just a baby. He also apparently has a best friend named Goose, but they’re long-distance besties.

That’s okay, though. Mom keeps him plenty busy with lots of beach runs:

He is loving every bit of his life. He’s so sweet!

Puppies Need To Be Independent

Naturally, puppies will rely on you for a lot. They might be able to run and walk, but they also hate being alone! They need you for play, for snuggles, and of course, to feed them. However, too much dependence is never good, and you need to make sure your puppy knows how to be alone.

Pretty much as soon as you get them, you need to set up ways for them to be by themselves occasionally. You could try:

2. Leaving them in a playpen.

3. Setting up a “bedroom” for them.

Over time, they’ll learn how to entertain themselves when they’re alone, but you can help out by leaving the TV or some music on for them. Additionally, making sure they have toys to play with will help encourage independent play!

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This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.