Considered one of the nicest, most stunningly gorgeous, and quick-witted breeds, the Golden Retriever steals the heart of every passerby! If you have ever known one, you must have realized they are really smart creatures. Even so, some tips on how to train a Golden Retriever can help those just starting out with this task.
Whether adult dogs or puppies, dogs can learn. While the nature of this breed makes them easy to develop good behavior, they equally need guidance, mainly when still young. So let’s see how we can teach our Golden Retriever good manners!
What is training?
Training includes teaching your pet certain tricks and commands, such as giving a paw, sitting, rolling over, where your pet should do its business and not go into some places, etc.
The technique to train a Golden Retriever remains the same as with the other breed of dogs. However, this animal usually tends to be too cooperating and intelligent; in this way, it will learn some tricks and good manners soon enough.
The advantages of training
There are countless benefits to dog training, not only related to the dog’s behavior, but also to its physical and mental health, improving the quality of life of the Golden Retriever and its family. Here are some examples:
- improves the relationship between the owner and the pet;
- prevents the destruction of furniture and objects;
- prevents your pet from eating anything that could harm its health;
- reduces excessive barking;
- facilitates consultations with the veterinarian;
- makes traveling by car easier;
- improves animal well-being in unfamiliar places;
- reduces aggression;
- reduces anxiety;
- improves concentration;
- reduces unwanted behaviors.
When is it necessary to train a Golden Retriever?
First, dogs need training for their coexistence with the pet to be harmonious. Animals understand almost everything we teach them, but in case this does not happen, they may not differentiate between what is right and what is wrong and end up doing things unpleasant for their owner.
We know very well that the Golden Retriever is a clever dog, but in the same way, this breed is very energetic and playful. Sometimes this becomes a problem-their habits of destroying objects or furniture are not very good for the owner and sometimes even dangerous for the life of the pet.
The Golden Retriever does not have an aggressive personality when well socialized. In fact, they are docile, but they may want to play bite. In this game, they can hurt people or other animals.
Therefore, when a pet arrives at the family home and starts all this chaos, the owners already think about how to train a Golden Retriever and improve this behavior as soon as possible! The good news is that good training corrects these attitudes and improves coexistence, after all, the breed does everything to please those it loves!
Is it possible to train a Golden Retriever at home?
It is perfectly possible to train your pet at home. Here, you will find some dog training tips , but keep in mind that the owner is the one who needs to stay focused and not give up in the first few days. It is necessary to be consistent for the furry friend to learn, so don’t get discouraged!
Knowing your pet’s tastes is the first step in training a Golden Retriever. In training, we will use the positive reinforcement method, which is when your pet receives a reward for having correctly performed the command.
Some dogs like to get a treat, others like to be petted, and others like to get a toy. Observe what gets your furry friend most excited and start following the tips below on how to train a Golden Retriever.
Puppy training
There is no age limit for starting dog training . It is certainly easier to teach a puppy, as he has not yet developed certain habits. The main task for those who are training a puppy is to show him where to go to the bathroom.
Make sure your pet has a clear idea of where he needs to go to the bathroom and put down some newspaper or a toilet mat. If you notice that he is doing it in the wrong place, ignore him and don’t scold him. Try to be more proactive next time. As soon as he wakes up, plays or eats, try to stay in the bathroom area with him until he relieves himself. When he finishes doing it, reward him with what he likes the most!
One tip is to increase the size of the bathroom by placing more than one toilet mat in the same place (in the permanent bathroom) and taking it out several times a day to relieve itself. Spreading the toilet mat in different places in the house is not recommended as it can confuse your puppy and make him get used to the same place.
This will be a big problem when you want your puppy to stop using that spot. Puppies cannot control their own pee until they are 4 months old. Therefore, you will need to be very dedicated to guiding them to go to the bathroom.
General rules for training Golden Retrievers
The general rules for training Golden Retrievers apply to both puppies and adults, and the main rule is repetition. Training should be done daily, but short and with intervals. If possible, do three sessions a day, each lasting five minutes. See other tips:
- be patient: he won’t get it right the first time;
- create a routine;
- don’t forget the rewards;
- give short commands: “Sit!”, “lie down!”, “stay!”;
Another very important piece of information for proper training is to avoid aggression, whether physical or moral. This creates a fearful relationship between the dog and the owner and can make the dog anxious and scared.