Browse ›
An elderly man in glasses hammers a wooden fence picket while a dark red Golden Retriever holds a stick in his mouth. 20 / 20

Henry Fixed the Fence One Board at a Time. Copper Brought His Own Lumber.

AI imagegolden retrieverfence repairstick

The backyard fence has seen better days, and Henry is giving it a bit of attention, hammer in one hand and a plank held steady with the other, his glasses sliding slightly down his nose. He wears his green sweater vest over a plaid shirt, with a focused, patient look. Copper stands right in front of the fence with a long stick held crosswise in his mouth, dark eyes fixed on the camera, as proud as a dog can be. Flowerpots, a patch of garden, and another stretch of fence sit in the soft light behind them.

A dog carrying a stick is following a deep instinct. Golden Retrievers were developed to retrieve game for hunters, and carrying things in their mouths is one of their favorite activities. Sticks look harmless, but they can splinter and hurt a dog's mouth, throat, or stomach, so a sturdy rubber or fabric retrieving toy is a safer choice. If he insists on carrying a stick, keep an eye out, and trade for a treat or a toy when you want him to let go. Teaching a clear drop it cue makes it easy and safe. Tools and nails around a yard are also a concern, so keep a dog away from loose hardware, and pick up anything sharp when the work is done. If your dog is chewing on wood, ask your vet about safe options for his teeth.

Henry works on the fence. Copper is on the job as well, with a stick, and no one has given him a real task.

More from this collection

All 20 →
An elderly man in a sweater vest shovels a snowy driveway while a dark red Golden Retriever lies in the snow beside him.Henry Started Shoveling Early. Copper Found a Much Better Job.An elderly man in glasses and a green sweater sits in a lawn chair at sunset beside a dark red Golden Retriever.Henry Waited Until Sunset to Sit Down. Copper Beat Him to the Best Spot.
An elderly man in glasses and a green sweater watches rain from a covered porch with a dark red Golden Retriever beside him.The Rain Kept Coming, So Henry Pulled Up a Chair. Copper Pulled Up Closer.An elderly man in glasses sips lemonade through a straw on a porch at dusk while a Golden Retriever pants up at him.Henry Poured Himself a Cold Lemonade. Copper Had One Very Hopeful Look.An elderly man in glasses and a sweater vest studies a checkers board while a Golden Retriever rests its chin on the table.Henry Was Deep in a Checkers Game. Copper Had Quietly Joined the Table.An elderly man in glasses scrubs a wet dark red Golden Retriever with a sponge in a large metal tub of suds outdoors.Henry Filled the Old Tub with Suds. Copper Stood in It Like a Gentleman.