Gordon Setter Puppy Checklist

Before Puppy Comes Home

Gordon Setter Puppy Prep: Documentation, GDV Awareness, and Early Grooming

Before your Gordon Setter puppy arrives, three priorities: verify you have all health documentation from the breeder, learn the signs of bloat/GDV and locate your nearest 24-hour emergency vet, and start a grooming habituation plan. The GDV piece sounds alarmist but it's practical preparation — knowing where to drive at 11pm when your dog is in distress is not something to figure out in the moment.

Documentation Checklist (Get from Breeder)

• OFA hip clearances for both parents
• OFA thyroid clearances for both parents
• CAER eye exam results for both parents
• PRA DNA test results for both parents
• Puppy's vaccination and deworming records
• Microchip number (if done by breeder)

Gear Checklist

• Crate (36–42 inch depending on expected adult size, with divider panel)
• Orthopedic dog bed
• Stainless steel food and water bowls
• Flat collar + ID tag — engrave before arrival
• Harness for walks
• 4–6 ft leash
• Slicker brush and wide-tooth steel comb — start grooming habituation from day one
• Dog-safe shampoo and conditioner (silky coat formula)
• Ear cleaning solution and cotton balls
• High-value training treats
• Enzymatic cleaner

First Week Setup

First Week: Vet Visit, GDV Conversation, and Grooming Start

First Vet Visit (Within 48–72 Hours)

• Full physical exam and vaccine continuation
• Parasite prevention appropriate for your region
• Discuss gastropexy — ask your vet's recommendation on preventive gastropexy during spay/neuter. This is a $300–$500 add-on that significantly reduces GDV risk. Have this conversation now, not the day of surgery.
• Microchip if not done by breeder
• Enroll in pet insurance before or immediately after this visit — before any conditions are documented

Know the Signs of Bloat/GDV Before You Need To

GDV is a life-threatening emergency with a tight time window. Know these signs:

• Distended, bloated-looking abdomen (especially after eating)
• Unproductive retching — the dog tries to vomit but nothing comes up
• Excessive drooling
• Restlessness, inability to get comfortable
• Pale gums

If you see these signs, go to an emergency vet immediately — do not wait to see if it gets better. Program the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic into your phone now, before you need it. This is not an overreaction; it's practical preparation for a real risk.

Start Grooming Habituation From Day One

• Daily brief brushing sessions — not for coat management yet, but for habituation
• Ear handling at every session — flip ears back, look inside, touch the outer canal
• Paw handling — manipulate each toe, simulate nail trimming
• Mouth handling — open gently, touch gums

A Gordon Setter that was handled throughout puppyhood accepts grooming easily as an adult. One that wasn't becomes increasingly resistant as their size and strength grows.

Training and Management

Building Good Habits Through the Long Adolescence

Patience Through Slow Maturation

Gordon Setters mature slowly — mentally, many dogs remain in an adolescent phase until age 2–3. Establish consistent training from the start and maintain it through the adolescent period, even when it feels like the dog has forgotten everything they learned at 12 weeks. Consistency during the adolescence pays off in the settled, devoted adult.

• Sit, down, stay, come, leave it — establish and proof consistently from puppyhood
• Loose-leash walking — start from the first walk, never allow pulling to become habitual
• Door manners and threshold behavior — sit before going outside, wait at thresholds
• Recall training — invest in this specifically. A sporting dog in an interesting environment has competing priorities; reliable recall requires real training investment.

Socialization

Gordon Setters are more reserved with strangers than Irish Setters — early socialization is important for a well-adjusted adult. During the critical window (8–16 weeks):

• Varied people: different ages, appearances, uniforms, hats
• Varied environments: traffic, crowds, different surfaces and sounds
• Positive interactions with strangers that the puppy initiates at their own pace — don't force greeting
• Puppy class for structured socialization with vaccinated puppies

Exercise Rules for Puppies

5 minutes per month of age, twice daily maximum. Growth plates in a large breed close around 18 months — no forced running, jumping, or stair climbing until then. On-leash walks and free play in a yard are appropriate; jogging with the dog waits until 18 months minimum.