Consistency is the key to training Golden Retriever puppies.

Website design By BotEap.comTraining an always energetic and curiously active Golden Retriever puppy is a difficult task. Along with your love, care, and patience, it also requires knowledge of some basic training skills. Golds are very intelligent and learn quickly. But in the absence of proper, consistent and clear training/instructions, they can easily adopt a wrong habit. Your pup should be clear about what is allowed and what is not. Misleading or inconspicuous instructions would result in incorrect training.

Website design By BotEap.comThe key to training Golden Retriever puppies is consistency. Another important thing to keep in mind is positive reinforcement. You should never rely on punishing your puppy if he doesn’t obey you. You need to make your puppy understand what you like and what you don’t. Golds have an innate drive to please their masters. Once your pup knows what he doesn’t like, things will be easy. Positively rewarding your pup for each obedient and correct behavior will help him adopt good habits willingly and quickly.

Website design By BotEap.comUsing a clicker training system can go a long way in helping your pup realize the difference between the do’s and don’ts. Many successful trainers rely on this system. Clicker is a handy little device used to signal each time the dog shows correct behavior or performs an action correctly. Little by little, the dog learns that the clicking sound is associated with a good job. The click should be followed by some positive reinforcement such as a treat or a hug/pat. This encourages the dog to repeat the ‘good job’ and thus good habits are instilled.

Website design By BotEap.comPositive reinforcement is good and definitely has great benefits. But your pup also needs to pick up on bad behavior. This will only happen when you explicitly ‘show’ your dislike. Hitting or bullying the puppy is not recommended. Instead, you should use voice modulations, hand movements, or reactions such as pulling on the (comparatively strong) leash to show your disapproval of him.

Website design By BotEap.comUsing food as a positive reward often works well. But you need to be careful that this does not become a habit. Also, this can create problems for a breed like the Golden that lays quite easily.

Website design By BotEap.comThe most important part of puppy training is housebreaking. The pup should be given clear instructions about where she can urinate or defecate. Puppies are like small babies and cannot ‘hold up’. Therefore, you should take him to the resting place after every meal, immediately after the puppy gets up, and whenever she sees him sniffing the ground or pacing around and around. This is usually a sign that she wants to ease up. During the first few weeks, every time the puppy eliminates on her in the right place, he should be rewarded. This will make the puppy take it as a habit.

Website design By BotEap.comYou must be clear about what kind of behavior you want from your dog. If you don’t want him to sit on the couch or bed, discourage him from the start. It will be difficult to break an adult dog out of this habit, if he was allowed to do it as a puppy. Similarly, don’t encourage him to growl or bark while he plays with your pup. This will instill bad behavior. Discourage your puppy from chewing on household items or nibbling on you and other family members. Teach him to chew and play with his toy.

Website design By BotEap.comDiscourage the unwanted and encourage the desired. This is the basic rule of thumb for training a golden pup.

Website design By BotEap.comThe last word: dogs love to be carried. You must be the leader of your dog. Never let it take over you. Be consistent and stick to the lines you draw. Don’t show what you don’t expect. This will build respect and once your dog respects you, obedience will follow naturally.