Welcome to Sono Grato European Golden Retrievers
About Us
Breeding healthy and confident puppies
At Sono Grato European Golden Retrievers, it is our goal to breed healthy and confident Golden Retrievers of exceptional breed type with pleasing and gentle dispositions and proper conformation. We are proud to provide an extensive development and socialization program for our puppies as outlined in our "How we raise our puppies" section. In addition to making wonderful family companions, our puppies are sought after for service and therapy work.
Passionate about the work of breeding
We are a small hobby breeder of Golden Retrievers with European lines located in Prescott, Arizona, approximately 90 miles north of Phoenix. We have limited but well-planned breedings each year. Our dogs are exclusively from European bloodlines and are bred to the exacting Kennel Club Golden Retriever breed standard. We uphold only the highest standards in the health, temperament and structure of our dogs, as well as in their care.
Health testing
We are consciously aware that our reputation as a breeder depends on the quality not the quantity of puppies we raise.
We are exceptionally careful about the pedigrees of the
puppies and ensure complete health testing of both dam and sire. This includes hip, elbow, heart, eye, and appropriate DNA testing.
First things first
Our puppies are an extension of our family.
We wish for our puppies to enjoy the life our dogs enjoy. The following values are very important to us in placing our puppies in their forever homes:
- Spayed (ovary-sparing technique only) or neutered (vasectomy only) after 2 years of age if necessary.
- Given appropriate and adequate exercise on a daily basis.
- Treated as integral part of the family and live indoors.
- Vaccinated minimally using the titer method to demonstrate protection.
- Trained using only positive reinforcement.
- Fed a species appropriate raw protein diet avoiding too many carbohydrates.
- Groomed and brushed frequently.
How we raise our puppies
The Art and Science of Breeding
As breeding associates, we utilize current research and data on successful breeding, gestation, whelping, and puppy development from professional memberships with Avidog and Puppy Culture. In addition, we follow the advice of Dr. Emmanuel Fontaine, DVM, PhD European College of Animal Reproduction.
The Prenatal Period
Did you know that puppies are affected by the health, happiness and environment of their mother and father? Did you know mother dogs who receive affection during their pregnancy may give birth to more docile puppies?
At Sono Grato, we understand the role stress hormones have in perinatal development and know puppies born of stressed parents may have less bone mass and learning deficits. Therefore, we provide our dogs with the following:
- Daily exercise- hikes, field running, swimming, and core body training.
- Lots and lots of affection and praise.
- Shared space in our home. They really live with us and take turns sleeping with us.
- Balanced species appropriate diet (raw) with additional supplements to meet the needs of reproduction.
- Frequent grooming- brushed daily, bathed at least monthly, teeth brushed nightly.
- Daily opportunities for exploration and problem solving, therapeutic chewing, training and relaxation.
These are the fundamentals of care provided to our dogs on a consistent basis in an effort to meet their needs, which in turn, make our dams and sire happy, healthy and stable parents for our puppies.
The Neonatal Period- Days 0-14
It is said newborn puppies (neonates) look like sleeping loaves of fur but there is incredible growth activity taking place. Did you know neonates actually double in body weight by day 10?
During this time period, we will utilize the Bio Sensor Early Neurological Stimulation exercises developed by Dr. Carmen Battaglia, and implemented by the U.S. Military in their Super Dog program. From days 3-16, we handle each puppy and perform 6 different exercises designed to stimulate the neurological system. Because this is the period of most rapid neurological growth, it is the opportune time to provide minor stress to the neonate as it develops.
How we raise our puppies...con't.
The Transitional Period- Days 14-21
Puppies have developmental periods that are defined by behavioral markers. An individual puppy might reach a specific developmental period ahead of, at the same time, or later than its litter mates.
At Sono Grato, we observe our puppies' behaviors on a daily basis and make notations on our daily assessment log as each puppy demonstrates developmental markers.
In this transitional period, our Golden Retriever puppies show their precocious nature and desire to be clean. We have observed our puppies moving away from their bedding to eliminate at around 2 weeks of age. It is during this period that we introduce our "potty area." By defining a sleeping area and an elimination area for the puppies, we begin the process of potty training. Everyone loves that our puppies have mastered eliminating in a potty box.
The Critical Socialization Period- 3-12 weeks
Most people are unaware that the critical socialization period begins at 3 weeks for puppies and ends at about 12 weeks of age.
Socialization is not simply exposing a puppy to someone or something. It is a healthy mixture of learning new skills, positive experiences with new things, sounds and people, and engagement in enrichment activities.
**Week 3
- We begin focusing on enrichment opportunities with the puppies.
- Visitors of all ages arrive to greet and carefully handle the puppies. (Precautions are taken to maintain a clean environment devoid of bacteria and viruses.)
- As the puppies' ears and eyes are now open, we provide sounds and sights that engage and enrich their life in the whelping box.
- We continue to weigh each puppy- now on a weekly basis and trim their toe nails every 3 days.
**Week 4
- Our puppies are moved from their whelping box to a larger pen in the dining room where they can experience all the sights and sounds from our busy living space.
- Puppies are provided with a much larger potty box near the front of their pen where they can promptly eliminate before greeting us or their mother during the day.
- Puppies experience emotional resiliency exercises to teach them to adapt to daily stressors.
- Puppies engage in problem solving games to stimulate their thinking skills.
- Puppies are introduced to crates in a positive manner. With crate doors removed and snuggly beds provided, we often see our puppies gravitate to the crate for naps during the day.
- Puppies are introduced to the Adventure Box which provides noise and stimulation from various dangling objects.
- Puppies meet our other family dogs through the fence and begin to establish familiarity and confidence in their company.
- Puppies begin to take weekly cart rides on our land and in our neighborhood.
- Puppies begin to understand the concept of "bedtime" as we say each night, "Good night, go to bed" while we turn out the lights and turn on the nursery lullaby.
**Week 5
- Puppies are given their first solid food in the form of a balanced raw chicken mixture. We continue to provide opportunities for puppies to nurse from their mother if she is willing.
- Puppies are introduced to the clicker and rewards that follow the sound. We begin to teach puppies how to give us their attention, sit politely (without us asking) and to come when called.
- Puppies are guarded from experiencing fear which may manifest in lifelong fear issues.
- Puppies continue to learn to be comfortable with crates. They are given treats when they venture into their crates during the day and learn the game of running into their crate for rewards as well.
- Puppies are observed during play and encouraged to problem solve situations which frustrate them.
How we raise our puppies, con't.
**Week 6
- Puppies continue to be fed a raw chicken diet with the addition of other novel protein sources and have access to their mother for nursing if she agrees.
- Puppies continue to meet and play with many people of different ages, shapes and sizes.
- Puppies continue to practice sitting for our attention or petting. We do not expect or reward jumping up.
- Puppies continue to experience novel objects, object challenges, unusual footing, heights, and noises.
- Puppies begin to nap in their crates (with their own Snuggle Puppie) while doors are left open. This is a tedious process of waiting for each puppy to fall asleep and then carefully carrying it to its crate to finish napping there.
- Puppies begin to eat some meals in their crates with the doors closed.
- Puppies are escorted outdoors for elimination every hour during the day.
- Puppies experience a car by first enjoying raw meaty bones in it ,while the vehicle idles. Later in the week, they experience a short ride around the neighborhood after a second round of raw meaty bones.
- Puppies experience a warm and relaxing bath followed by a towel dry (with a blow dryer running to accustom them with the noise.)
**Week 7
- Puppies continue with their raw diet of chicken and novel proteins. By this time, their mother may or may not permit nursing.
- Puppies learn to enter the crate when asked, eat, chew bones, and nap in the crate with the door closed.
- Puppies continue to have opportunities to eliminate outdoors every hour.
- Puppies continue to experience car rides.
- Puppies begin to learn to sit on cue, come when called, and give up a toy when asked.
- Puppies continue to learn to be comfortable when being handled, brushed, and nails trimmed.
**Week 8
- Puppies are fed a raw diet 3 times a day
- Puppies are bathed and groomed.
- Puppies contine to learn/practice come, sit , drop toy, and crate on cue.
- Puppies continue advanced crate training. They learn to enter crate when asked, eat, chew bones, and nap with the door closed.
Our Dogs
Trewater Constance (Joya) Wales,UK. Retired
Sono Grato Jayne Welsh Love & Joy Rembrandt X Joya
Sono Grato Jayne Welsh Love & Joy Rembrandt X Joya
Beautiful Joya is our foundation bitch. She is everything one would hope to have in a companion dog. Joya is intelligent, playful, affectionate, and good with people and other dogs. She is an outstanding mother to her puppies.
Sono Grato Jayne Welsh Love & Joy Rembrandt X Joya
Sono Grato Jayne Welsh Love & Joy Rembrandt X Joya
Sono Grato Jayne Welsh Love & Joy Rembrandt X Joya
Lovely Jayne is a very compact and well proportioned Golden. She loves to run, hike and best of all, swim. Jayne is biddable, fun loving, and friendly with all dogs and people. She is exceptionally affectionate. We are very grateful to have her as Rembrandt and Joya's offspring.
Tanishtagh Lighthouse (Rembrandt) The Netherlands
Sono Grato Jayne Welsh Love & Joy Rembrandt X Joya
Tanishtagh Lighthouse (Rembrandt) The Netherlands
Handsome Rembrandt (Remy) is the most laid-back and biddable male we have had the pleasure to own. Remy seeks affection from everyone he greets and is eager to please. He really enjoys his one on one swim time.
Joya
Jayne, Rembrandt, Joya
Tanishtagh Lighthouse (Rembrandt) The Netherlands
Jayne, Rembrandt, Joya
Jayne, Rembrandt, Joya
Jayne, Rembrandt, Joya
Rembrandt
Jayne, Rembrandt, Joya
Jayne, Rembrandt, Joya
Our Dogs, con't.
Sono Grato 3 Times a Charm (Freya) co-owned, Retired
Sono Grato 3 Times a Charm (Freya) co-owned, Retired
Sono Grato 3 Times a Charm (Freya) co-owned, Retired
Freya looks a lot like her mum, Joya. She is well-balanced structurally and has a pleasing personality. Freya is intelligent, obedient and affectionate.
Sono Grato Flicka
Sono Grato 3 Times a Charm (Freya) co-owned, Retired
Sono Grato 3 Times a Charm (Freya) co-owned, Retired
Born 11/05/2021
Joya
Sono Grato 3 Times a Charm (Freya) co-owned, Retired
Freya
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Freya
Joya plays with Freya's puppies
Freya
Flicka
Joya plays with Freya's puppies
Joya plays with Freya's puppies
Joya plays with Freya's puppies
Joya plays with Freya's puppies
Joya plays with Freya's puppies
Planned Litter 2023
Sono Grato Jayne X Kristoff
Planned litters 2024
SPRING / SUMMER 2024
Sono Grato Goldens Progeny Photo Gallery
Affiliations
Avidog
Puppy Culture
Puppy Culture
Puppy Culture
Puppy Culture
Puppy Culture
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Puppy Culture
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Reviews
July 29, 2015
We would be grateful if you would share a review of Sono Grato European Goldens !
We would be grateful if you would share a review of Sono Grato European Goldens !
What an honor to know Marcia, her knowledge and love for dogs is truly amazing. I learn more and more each dayI talk to her. So excited to see this litter thrive. -Janet Merrick Laman
We would be grateful if you would share a review of Sono Grato European Goldens !
We would be grateful if you would share a review of Sono Grato European Goldens !
We would be grateful if you would share a review of Sono Grato European Goldens !
Please email a review to
August 28, 2015
We would be grateful if you would share a review of Sono Grato European Goldens !
September 11,2017
Marcia is the BEST! The care and energy she gives each and every puppy is astonishing! -Marion Leftkowitz
September 11,2017
September 11,2017
September 11,2017
Marcia Gatti-Petz is an extraordinary dog breeder. She carefully chooses the bloodlines. She monitors pregnancies from initial breeding all the way through whelping. Once born, puppies are nurtured and exposed to numerous and varied stimuli to get them ready for the real world. AND, she carefully socializes the pups so they make ideal pets. Looking for a golden retriever? Marcia and Sono Grato European Retrievers is your breeder!
~Al Poskanzer Yavapai County Search & Rescue Team #3621 Compliance & Administrative Officer, Search Dog Unit
August 25, 2017
September 11,2017
September 7, 2017
The care, attention and love each Sono Grato puppy receives gave us the peace of mind to know we were making a great choice in breeders. From the time the puppies are born to the time they go to their forever homes, Marcia ensures the puppies are introduced to everyday sounds, handling, potty breaks, and lots of love - all of which establishes a strong foundation for the rest of their lives. There is no doubt, this great start in life helped create the wonderful dog our girl is today! Thanks Marcia for all you do for your Sono Grato litters and those of us who are blessed to have one of your puppies! ~Florance Schiller
September 7, 2017
September 11,2017
September 7, 2017
We got our beloved dog Kai-Kai from Sono Grato European Golden Retrievers, and we are so pleased.
Kai-Kai is now 18 months old and we are seriously considering getting one more puppy from Sono Grato.
When we got Kai-Kai at 8 weeks old, he was already very comfortable with his crate. Marcia puts a serious labor of love into each puppy and it truly shows in the demeanor of the puppies.
I won't refer any other breeder. Sono Grato, and done.
Best dogs 🐶 in the world.
-Jeremy Sawatzky
Gratitutde
