How to Train a Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are loyal, intelligent and eager to learn, which makes training them highly satisfying. Follow these steps to train your pet to be an obedient, enjoyable companion.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Collect whatever information you can about the dog's parents and previous home life. Knowing that your dog's mother was hyperactive or his father was timid can help you better understand why your dog acts the way he does. On the same note, knowing details such as whether your dog spent his first weeks with a large litter that dominated the food bowl can help you train him in ways to which he will respond well.

2. Differentiate between puppy and adult. Training a puppy may seem different than training an adult Golden Retriever, but many adult issues can also exist in puppyhood. Aggressiveness, not coming when called and jumping on people are not exclusive to either puppies or adults.

3. Choose a family member to be the Alpha male. In nature, one dog within a pack will establish himself as the Alpha dog—the leader of the pack. Other pack members are submissive to this dog. Whoever you choose to be the Alpha member should initiate all training, while the rest of the family follows his lead.

4. Start with the basics. Beginning obedience classes usually teach the sit, stay and come commands. These are the fundamentals that will not only build the foundation for more extensive training, but also deepen the Alpha-Dog relationship that is essential to successful training.

5. Crate your dog. No matter how cruel you feel you are being to your dog at first, you will be thankful you did it. Dogs truly do love their crates because they feel safe in them and enjoy curling up in the small space. When housebreaking your dog, keep her in the crate at night and while you are away. Dogs don't like their space soiled, so they learn to relieve themselves outside after just a couple accidents. Make sure the crate is big enough that they can move, but not so large that they can move away from their mess if they have an accident.

6. Reward with small treats. Cereal, hot dogs, cheese and pieces of treats are good because you can hold them in your hand and quickly toss one to your dog during training. If you have to fumble around in your pocket for a treat, the dog looses interest and forgets what he did to earn the reward. Non-food treats, such as balls and toys are also useful.

7. Communicate on his level. It's easy to forget that your Golden Retriever doesn't understand when you yell "What were you thinking?" or "Get off the counter!" so get in the habit of using visual commands paired with short verbal commands. Hold your arms to your chest and say "Sit," lower you hand to the ground and say "Lay" and point to your feet and call "Come." Eventually you reach the point where one or the other is sufficient, but during training your dog will respond better to a combination.

8. Be consistent. Once she's gotten the hang of sitting, staying, coming, etc., keep up with the training. Many obedience schools offer refresher courses.

9. Consult a message board for specific problems. Websites like Top Golden Retriever Sites offer message boards that allow you to search for and discuss specific problems or concerns with other Golden Retriever owners.

Tips & Warnings

• You must be fair and consistent with all dogs living in the same household.
• Use positive reinforcement as much as possible.

Resources

• Search theTopGoldenRetrieverSites.net message boards for answers to your training questions.

[tannehill]

on 10/2/2009 WE GOT MY GOLDEN RETRIEVER WHEN HE WAS 4 WEEKS OLD. HE IS A VERY SWEET DOG. SO FAR I HAVE TAUGHT HIM HOW TO SIT, LAY, ROLL OVER, SHAKE HANDS, AND GIVE HIGH FIVE. HOWEVER,I CANNOT TEACH HIM HOW TO COME, OR GET HIM TO STOP DIGGING ALL THE LANDSCAPING UP IN MY BACKYARD. WHEN WE GOT HIM WE DID NOT KNOW THAT GOLDEN RETRIEVERS WERE BETTER INSIDE, SO NOW WE ARE PAYING THE PRICE. PLEASE HELP IF YOU HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS

[dkozak]

on 3/11/2009 I have the same problem with my golden. He is going to be 4 this may and he knows how to sit and lay, but when he is outside, he will run away unless he is on a leash. Please give me some advice. [e-mail]

[lilraider]

on 11/1/2008 MY GOLDEN RETREIVER SITS, AND STAYS AND LAYS DOWN, AS SHE HAS HAD A LITTLE TRAINING - BUT WHEN SHE GETS OUTSIDE SHE RUNS OUT IN THE STREET AND WILL NOT COME - HELP ME PLEASE, [e-mail] THANK YOU - I CAN USE A LITTLE HELP RIGHT NOW - SHE IS THREE YEARS OLD TODAY - VERY SMART DOG THO.