Golden Retrievers are one of the most lovable dog breeds and are widely preferred by dog parents for being people-oriented and having gentle temperaments. They take basic obedience training easily and are always eager to please their human parents. If you’ve just welcomed a cute little Golden Retriever and looking to train it, this blog is just for you. We’ve compiled some must-know tips that will come in handy while training your Golden puppy.

1. Make the process enjoyable

It is advisable that you keep things interesting and exciting while training your Golden Retriever. Being playful and making things easy for your pup will encourage it to respond to your cues. You can also use your dog’s favourite training treats to keep it hooked.

2. Keep your dog motivated

Food and fun play are the biggest motivators for Golden Retrievers. Making use of training treats or toys during their training sessions keeps your doggo hooked and turns them into an enthusiastic learner

3. Indulge in age and skill-appropriate training

While training your dog, make sure that your expectations are reasonable. Puppies mostly require shorter duration training sessions of 2 to 5 minutes as their bodies and brains are underdeveloped. Newly adopted adult dogs, on the other hand, may not be prepared for advanced training as they are in the process of adjusting to their new families and surroundings.

4. Ensure safety and security

If you’re using a dog collar, make sure it fits your pooch perfectly and does not pose a risk of injury or suffocation. For everyday training and walking, a 4 – 6 feet flat training leash will suit your canine buddy.

As Golden Retrievers are strong, energetic and huge dogs, a gentle leader head collar will offer more control while you’re walking your dog in a stimulating neighbourhood.

5. Make use of the clicker training approach

The clicker  training approach is extremely effective and works well to train different species of animals worldwide. The distinctive sound of a clicker will help your dog understand that it has done a good job. A Golden Retriever grasps such a concept quickly and repeats it.

6. Make training a part of your daily schedule

Skills require frequent practice to acquire perfection. Potty training should be a part of your Golden buddy’s daily schedule for  efficient training. Also, using the ‘sit’ command before serving food, ‘down’ and ‘stay’ command when you want it to respond and calling its name before going for a walk can help your dog get accustomed to these commands and respond accordingly.

7. Maintain consistency

Make sure that your dog follows the rules that you’ve set for it as a dog displays its best manners if rules are followed consistently. While small variances in how your family members and guests behave with your pooch are acceptable, some ‘home rules’ shouldn’t be ever altered.

8. Train your dog in stages

You can elevate your training patterns as your Golden Retriever gets accustomed to fundamental rules and manners. When your canine learns that he must sit, eat and lie down at specified times, you can teach them to remain in that particular posture unless they are  asked to move,

9. Make your dog a part of your family

It is your duty as a pet parent to see to it that your Golden Retriever gets along well with all your family members which even includes other pets, if any. Motivate your family members to practice fundamental commands with your dog such as down, off, sit, stay and come. You must also train your Golden as well as your other pets to co-exist peacefully.

10. Reward for good behaviour

Similar to a majority of dog breeds, positive reinforcement helps anchor good behaviour in your Golden Retriever. You can offer their favourite dog food, scratch pads, treats and dog-specific toys when they meet your expectations. While we know that you’re always up for showering your canine baby with love and affection, turning up the level of your love and praises when they’ve done a good job never goes to waste.

Wrapping Up

Whether you already have a Golden Retriever or planning to welcome one, we hope that our article will help you in the training process. While our guide is a great start to learning about Golden Retriever parenthood, we’d advise you to never stop seeking out new information from credible sources. You can also share your experiences with other Golden Retriever parents and learn from them about your dog’s breed, temperament and the best ways to take care of them.