Throughout life your Golden Retriever should walk, trot, and run in an easy. fluid manner.  A cumbersome gait can be caused by excess weight, while difficulties lying down or getting up may portend joint problems-not uncommon, especially in older dogs.  Limping is a sign that one leg in particular hurts, and head bobbing while walking is another indication of pain.  Watch your dog during its daily activities and note any anomalies in behavior.  If you notice discomfort or loss of mobility, take your dog to the vet for an examination.

Your dog's early feeding and toilet routines are usually maintained throughout life.  The Golden eats heartily and rarely experiences a loss in appetite, even when mildly ill; a potentially major problem.  A heightened appetite without weight gain can indicate a thyroid problem; asking for food but then not eating it can mean tooth pain.  Increased thirst is always significant and may be a sign of infection or conditions such as diabetes and liver or kidney disease.  Any change in eating and toileting habits should be reported to your veterinarian; seek medical advice if the consistency of your dog's stools changes from what you would normally expect.

Dogs are creatures of habit, so watch out for any changes in behavior.  If your Golden is reluctant to rise in the morning, shows little interest to play, or moves awkwardly, it could be ill.  Age slows down all dogs, but so can some medical conditions such as poor circulation or neurological problems. 

Be prepared for your dog to age.  Like elderly people, old Goldens are less active and can become hard of hearing.  Be patient with your dog's slow behavior, and gentle in your handling.  Accommodate these changes and try to create less physically demanding games.  Mental stimulation is very important since it helps to delay the body's incline.

Up-to-date vaccinations and annual health checkups can increase your dog's longevity.  Some treatable conditions, such as splenic tumors or liver disease, are not outwardly obvious but may be diagnosed upon physical examination.  Problems discovered early are easier to treat.  As your dog ages, your vet may recommend more detailed checkups, including blood sampling, and may advise twice-yearly clinic visits.

Introduce your Golden Retriever to the veterinary clinic before it needs any treatment, so that it can have an investigative sniff and explore the premises.  Ask your vet to give your dog a food treat while it is there, to make the next visit more appealing.  If your vet does not supply treats, bring some with you and offer them when your dog is not being inoculated; this will provide suitable distraction from any unpleasantness.  Repeat trips can be made less of a hardship for you too, by taking out insurance in your pet's health.  This will ensure that your dog can benefit from the most sophisticated diagnostics and treatments.