Golden Retriever Training Tips

Training any breed of dog can be difficult at times. However, golden retrievers have excellent temperaments and a strong desire to please their owners, making them a very rewarding breed with which to work. Follow a few basic tips and you will soon be rewarded with a loving and obedient companion.

  1. Socializing

    • One of the most important things you can do for your golden is to begin socializing him at an early age. Your puppy needs contact with humans and other dogs in order to develop proper behavior. Take your dog out frequently to meet and play with other neighborhood dogs. You may even wish to set up play dates with friends or neighbors who also have young dogs.

    Housebreaking

    • Begin house-training your puppy as soon as you get him. Since young puppies often have little control of their bladders, you may wish to start by placing newspaper or puppy pads near your dog’s bed. Once he has learned to use the newspaper, begin moving it toward the door until your puppy will relieve himself outside.

    Obedience Training

    • Golden retrievers can begin learning basic obedience commands like sit, stay, lie down and come as early as 8 weeks old. Always work on training commands at home, because other environments will be distracting to your puppy, and you and the dog will become frustrated quickly. Work with him in short but frequent sessions, introducing one command at a time. Allow your puppy time to master the first command before moving on to another one.

    Chewing

    • Retriever puppies are especially prone to chewing, particularly while they are teething. Purchase a few suitable chew toys, and reward your dog for chewing these instead of furniture or other items. If your dog begins to chew the wrong thing, say “no” firmly and direct him back to his chew toy. You may also want to keep some old socks filled with ice cubes in the freezer to help relieve the pain of teething.

    Digging

    • Digging is another problem among golden retrievers of all ages. Try purchasing a small sandbox for your dog so he will have an appropriate place to dig. You may even wish to hide treats and toys in the sand for him to discover along the way.

    Jumping

    • Your golden will likely be very excited to see you any time you return home. While it is common for dogs to express this excitement through jumping, you must teach your dog that this is unacceptable. Whenever your dog starts to jump, fold both hands across your chest and look away from him. Wait for him to calm down before you give him attention. This is a perfect opportunity to review your sit, lie down and stay commands.

    Leash Training

    • Leash training is sometimes the slowest part of training a golden retriever. Get your dog accustomed to the leash by attaching it to his collar and letting him run freely in a fenced in area. Then try holding the leash and calling the dog to you for a treat. In time, your dog should be ready to begin going on short walks.