‘The Golden Retriever Experience’?

[fiwen30]

https://thegoldenretrieverexperience.com/

Has anyone heard anything about or been to this place in Somerset? It seems to be some kind of golden retriever petting zoo, with tens of dogs on the property. At first glance I thought it was neat, but now I’m not too sure.

There’s no mention of how they come by all these dogs - presumably through breeding, though again there’s no info on a breeding programme or the ideas/ethics behind it. What sort of dog would you raise in a pack environment, presumably having very little 1–to-1 time, presumably not taken off-site and socialised anywhere, and interacting with strangers every day? And how long does the poo picking take! ?

IDK, happy to be proven wrong if anyone is familiar with the place or the owners, but something about it just doesn’t sit quite right.

 

[blackcob]

£60?!

 

[Clodagh]

Kind of see that in some instances it could have a benefit. Like if you had never met a dog and wanted to do so.
But so bizarre! They like dog food as a gratuity? So they chuck any old thing down them I assume. So weird.
I can see as therapy dogs they would be good, and for people with fear, but wouldn't one be more use than a pack?
Odd on every level!
Maybe I could start a labrador experience to cover some of my bills?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Oh well at least it isn't the Mechelse Experience, AKA Jurassic Park ???

 

[ester]

I have 2 thoughts (it came up for me a while ago as not far from home home)
I was ermm distracted by the video on the home page
and thought it was a lot of money so hope that none of my friends start charging me borrowing fees for their dogs ?

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I get an off feeling when I look at it. Completely unfair as I know very little about it but my main queries are how did they get the dogs and what happens to the dogs when the place is shut to visitors.

I’m just uncomfortable in general with any kind of exploitation of animals. When OH was harping on about having a litter from Mabel (which I have successfully talked him out of) he said with the money from the pups we’d buy Mabel a new bed and take her on holiday and feed her fillet steak every night ? it felt wrong to make money from her.

 

[blackcob]

There's a bit on the About Us page about how they started off in dog breeding.

If anyone wants to come and pet a wolef and feed them biscuits I'll only charge you a fiver. Free cup of tea if you quote AAD when booking. ?

 

[ester]

Excellent will arrange a visit.

 

[MissTyc]

I'll do a terrier experience for parents to bring children who "really want a dog". Guaranteed never to want a dog again, or your money back.

 

[vallin]

I think it's quite a neat idea, especially for people that want to overcome their fear of dogs. As long as the dogs are well looked after and happy does it matter if they have 2 or 20? Some of the sled dog teams have 10s of dogs!

 

[splashgirl45]

just watched the video, maybe i am too old but it seemed very odd to me

 

[CorvusCorax]

Amazing amount of knowledge to accrue in 15 years

 

[hobo]

I am with you Splash I only watched a little of it. The dogs are lovely but what is the girl all about that put me right off.

 

[sky1000]

just watched the video, maybe i am too old but it seemed very odd to me

Me too

 

[Red-1]

The idea didn't sound bad, to me. But, the video put me off!

Plus, £60 minimum, but if you want it to be private, as in not sharing the experience with strangers, you have to pay £240 .

 

[IrishMilo]

The video is terrible but the dogs look happy and healthy.

 

[blackcob]

Some of the sled dog teams have 10s of dogs!

You can meet those for free at a rally though. I hadn't twigged the minimum spend for a private visit, that is astonishing. For context, I paid £75 for an all-day tour of a wolf sanctuary, in a group of six, during which you got to pet and hand feed an actual wolf. Golden retrievers are ten a penny. ?

 

[CorvusCorax]

I was going to say, you could just go to a dog show....

 

[wren123]

That video is cringey!

 

[Moobli]

Reading these comments, I definitely need to watch the video lol!
Sounds like money for old rope to me but then I am not the sort of person who wants to go around petting other people's dogs really.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

It looks to me like the owner of the experience has a daughter that has been through stage school and thinks this is a great opportunity to get her record deal - very odd!!

I liked the idea at first, I have never has the chance to get a dog, and won't until I retire, so being surrounded by great dogs and having a bit of a play with them in the lovely countryside is something I would enjoy. Although I'd happily pay £10 for an hour, and do it as a one off thing for a laugh. I certainly don't want all day and to spend that much money!

 

[Supertrooper]

I have 2 thoughts (it came up for me a while ago as not far from home home)
I was ermm distracted by the video on the home page
and thought it was a lot of money so hope that none of my friends start charging me borrowing fees for their dogs ?

The video is ummmmm interesting……..