01/15/2026
An update from the Zitt family about their Irish Golden Bernedoodle, Ginger, from Cally and Murphy's litter here at Sunshine Acres.
Ginger is a happy, playful, energetic, and intelligent good girl. She was redder as a puppy, but that has faded to a fawn color with some red still at the tips. She is easy to train and eager to learn. She was crate and potty trained in a week using a blanket from her home and bells on the door.
She was trained to go to and wait at a spot on command, which for us is a 2x3 rug in the living room. It allows us to keep her safe if something happens, like a spill in the kitchen, so we know where she is until it is cleaned up and safe. She also waits there for meals and treats. Her trainer said it is supposed to help teach patience and will slow her eating. That hasn’t really worked with meals as she still eats very quickly and always has. We have been able to slow her down with puzzle bowls. She is not protective; she will stop eating on command and we can take the bowl away while she is eating without any resistance.
Ginger started to go to dog training classes at about 6 months old and went for 1 hour per week for 2 years. She loved going to “school” and learned everything quickly. She earned her AKC Star Puppy Certificate at 1.5 years and her AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate at 2.5 years. The CGC was the hardest as she needed to stay with a stranger for 5 minutes without barking or jumping on the stranger, her two favorite things to do when she meets someone new. But she was able to keep her focus on test day.
She walks very well on leash and loves playing in the back yard. She loves chasing balls, and though she likes tennis balls, she prefers something larger and loves here ChuckIt Kick Fetch ball that is 8” and has grooves so she can easily grab it. She does not play fetch. Part of that energetic and intelligent puppy is a strong will. She prefers to be chased, but will stop and drop the ball on command, she just will not bring it to you unless there is a treat. We have just started learning frisbee. She really likes catching it when it comes right to her, but is still working on how to track it in the air.
She also loves car rides and going new places. We try to take trips to parks and trails. She likes seeing all the other dogs and is very well behaved in large crowds.
We have a good size back yard for her to run, our lot is an acre, we chose to use a GPS based virtual fence. We have taken her to parks or other yards and put in a perimeter on the map, and she still turns around when she gets a beep. Lucky for us, she always comes when called.
Ginger has been a challenge at times, but a joy all the time. She is a great dog and we look forward to many years together. I have attached several pictures showing her over the last year or so. I hope you enjoy them and see how she has grown and enjoys her life.
I hope you had a Merry Christmas and enjoy a Happy New Year!
Andy
