By the time your golden retriever is a year old, he will have learned almost everything he needs to know to be a happy, obedient dog. In fact, when your puppy is 2 or 3 months old, you should begin teaching him a few basic commands and getting him accustomed to a simple routine. Bear in mind, however, that the schedule outlined here is not set in stone. Be patient, flexible and realize that your puppy may not always learn new commands and behaviors as quickly as you would like.
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2-3 Months
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At this young age, begin to teach your puppy simple commands such as "Sit," "Stand" and "No." Start grooming him so he becomes accustomed to baths, having his coat combed and brushed, his teeth inspected and his nails clipped. If you plan to crate train your puppy, put him in the crate every night so he comes to think of it as his secure, cozy den, the place where he sleeps. You can begin to housebreak your puppy, but it will probably take a couple of months before he is fully trained. At two to three months, puppies are too physically immature to control their bodily functions. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to get him accustomed to relieving himself outdoors. Finally, always keep your puppy's food and water bowls and toys in the same place, so he will know where to find them.
3-6 Months
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During this period, your puppy should be housebroken. This is also the stage when you can move on to teaching the puppy other types of behavior. If he's already mastered the "Sit" command, begin training him to "Stay." If he already understands "No," teach him to stop barking when you say, "Quiet." But don't let these training sessions be all work; teach your puppy to play fetch. It's game both of you will enjoy.
6-10 Months
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This is the time to teach your puppy to heel, remaining close beside you on your left when you take him for a walk. Ratchet up the obedience training, concentrating especially on teaching him to sit and stay when you give the command, then walk away. You can also teach this young dog a few tricks, such as shaking hands and rolling over.
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