How to Train Golden Retriever Puppies

Start young. Puppies go through different learning stages based on their age of development. From birth to approximately 4 weeks of age, puppies do little more than eat and sleep. Eyes, ears and nose are fully developed by 4 weeks, which is when puppies become much more active and mobile. At 5 weeks, puppies' teeth are fully developed, and they begin to use them to play, nip and establish the basics of their pack dominance. Personalities really begin to develop at this point as well, and the more outgoing puppies will begin to show this dominance. From the ages of 6 to 8 weeks, puppies can begin a simple training routine that will help prepare them for adulthood.

Teaching your golden retriever puppies basic skills is an important step in preparing them to be happy, healthy companions outside the whelping box. While young, most puppies learn the majority of social and life skills from their mother and littermates. Bite inhibition, basic social interaction and manners with other dogs are a few of the major skills your golden puppies will learn by the time they are approximately 8 weeks old. However, a number of simple skills can be passed onto the puppies before they are weaned that can help them adapt to their new homes once they leave the litter.

Start with housebreaking. One of the most basic skills your golden retriever puppies can be taught at a young age is where to potty. Dogs are clean animals by nature, and do not like to potty where they eat or sleep. Establishing a certain area in your whelping or puppy area where the puppies should use the bathroom away from the feeding and sleeping areas will set the foundation for housebreaking. Place a set of highly absorbent material, such as puppy pads or newspapers, in the potty area, and encourage the puppies to potty there. After every meal, take a treat or toy to the potty area and encourage your golden puppies to use that area. Give a command, such as "Potty," and wait while they sniff and explore the area. Eventually, they will get the idea that pottying away from feeding and sleeping areas is best, which will make fully housebreaking them when the leave the litter much easier.

Good feeding habits are another skill you can begin teaching the puppies when they are weaned onto solid foods. Puppies should never be allowed to mob the food dish and dive in. Your puppies should be taught to wait for their food and politely move to the food bowl. Every time you prepare to feed the golden puppies, calmly give them a command, such as "Dinnertime." Lower the bowl into the puppies' area, but do not let them rush to it. Hold them back until the bowl is down and you move away from it, and then allow them to eat. You can increase the waiting period by a few seconds every feeding period until the pups all calmly wait for the food.

Collar and leash training is another simple step young golden retriever puppies can be taught before leaving the litter. Many breeders use colored ribbons to identify puppies in litters when they are very young, so many are already accustomed to the feeling of something on their neck while growing up. A small, flat buckle collar is best for young puppies, because there is less risk of damage or injury than other types of collars. Sit down with the pup and a favorite treat, and put the collar on. Reassure the pup that it is OK, and once the collar is on, reward the puppy for sitting still. Most pups will scratch or tug at the collar, but they will get used to it quickly. Moving onto leash training is simple as well. Attach a lightweight leash to the puppy's collar, and allow the pup to drag it around until it no longer notices the leash. Many pups will try to bite at or chew the leash, but they will get over their initial curiosity quickly. Once they do, pick up the leash and follow the pup, so that it gets used to someone walking behind it. Eventually, the pup will be comfortable with being followed, and you can begin encouraging the pup to come in your direction. Take a treat and, while holding onto the leash, step away from the puppy. Show the puppy the treat, and gently tug on the leash to get the puppy headed your way. Reward the pup immediately when it steps toward you and offer lots of praise. Eventually, all the pups will be used to having a collar and lead and following you for a few steps at a time, which will make life outside the litter much more pleasant.