Golden Retriever Training Ideas

Second only to the Labrador retriever in popularity in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club, the golden retriever is sometimes described as a dog that is everybody's friend. Golden retrievers are a lively and outgoing breed. They are intelligent and obedient and, for an owner that knows how to handle the golden's enthusiasm for life, they can be easily trained.

  1. Exercise

    • Exercise is key to a well-behaved golden retriever. These dogs are energetic and intelligent, and without an outlet for this enthusiasm, golden retrievers can develop behavior problems. A bored golden retriever is a mischievous golden retriever. Take your golden for daily walks that are at least 20 to 30 minutes in length. Two walks, one in the morning and one in the evening, is ideal. Golden retrievers love to play fetch (it's what they were bred for, after all), so try to work in at least one good game every day as well. You can help stimulate your golden retriever's active mind if you give it a job to do, such as going hunting with you or enrolling it in advanced training such as obedience or agility.

    Positive Reinforcement

    • Your golden retriever is happiest when it is interacting with you (or other family members). This breed loves to please and won't respond well to negative reinforcement training techniques or punishment. If you use a heavy hand they can become fearful or even aggressive. Instead, reward your golden retriever for doing things right. If it obeys a command correctly during a training session, praise it and give it a treat. If it listens to you and stops its mischief after you interrupt it, reward it for that as well. Teach your golden retriever that there are rewards for good behavior, and it will be more likely to keep on trying to please you.

    Find Your Dog's Motivation

    • Most professional trainers rely on treats to reward a dog's good behavior. This might work perfectly for your golden retriever, but if treats don't keep it interested, you'll have to find something else. Some dogs are motivated by food. Others are motivated by affection. Still others are motivated by play. Golden retrievers love all three, so you must decide which of these does your dog enjoy the most. If your golden retriever doesn't respond well to treats, bring a tennis ball along to your training sessions. Golden retrievers, as a general rule, love to play fetch, so tossing the ball might be a better reward for your dog than treats.

    Short Training Sessions

    • Golden retrievers love everything and can be easily distracted. This means that your training sessions can't last half an hour. Your golden retriever will lose interest long before then and the training will become frustrating for both of you. Instead, try holding two or three shorter training sessions every day. Train for five to 10 minutes at a time, and have treats or a tennis ball handy to keep your golden's attention. Make training a game, and your golden retriever will be eager to join in. Focus on one or two commands at each session or your retriever will get confused and lose interest even more quickly. When your dog's attention does start to wander, it's time to end the session.