Golden Retriever Training

The natural desire of this breed is to please the owner and have fun, so Golden Retriever training can be a great experience. Many Golden Retrievers need very little obedience training, but it's a good idea to put any new dog through at least some sort of basic training program.

In fact, some breeders and trainers insist that Golden Retrievers should have some sort of conventional obedience and basic training because the natural temperament of the breed could be ruined by bad techniques.

The calm, friendly disposition of this breed makes it an ideal choice for households with children. Although the Golden Retriever is not aggressive enough to be considered a guard dog, it will alert the family to outside activities. This breed lives to please its master so normally, it would bark loudly at anything that seems suspicious. It would be better to discourage growling and barking during play, keeping this for the real business of alerting the household to anything out of the ordinary.

Naturally, the best way to begin Golden Retriever training, or any dog, is to start with a healthy, well-bred puppy. Young dogs are a great deal easier to train and control. With the Golden Retriever, you ultimately want a dog ready to learn. Then to endorse positive behavior, you would offer praise. If you are firm, yet positive, you will build up trust between you and your dog lasting a lifetime.

For housebreaking, the Golden Retriever is normally easy to train, though you may want to look at crate training. This method provides the dog a safe haven when it needs time to be alone. Additionally, crate training promotes cleanliness in an area that belongs exclusively to the dog. Prevention is always best in this training, so you should plan to take your dog out early in the morning and again at night, before you go to bed.

Golden Retrievers are very adept at obedience trials, doing well in tracking and retrieving contests. This breed loves the challenge and fun of agility and trick competitions too. Originally bred as a hunting dog, the Golden Retriever is happiest in the open, able to run, swim, and retrieve for the hunter. If you select a puppy from a good breeder, you unquestionably need to begin socialization to help display positive, natural traits of this breed.

Golden Retrievers, like any dog, will not react well to abrasive treatment or physical abuse. Remember, this breed is gentle and loving. The goal with Golden Retriever training is to assist your dog to grow into a delightful companion with just a little bit of direction.

Some experienced owners say that they can show this type of dog a trick or a command only a couple of times, and it is picked up quickly and with eagerness. Consequently, it is better if you make the training fun and interesting and avoid instilling fear in this sensitive breed.

We recommend that if you take your dog for professional Golden Retriever training, you stay involved as much as is allowed and remember, if you work with a trainer who has had experience of this breed, it would be beneficial. Just as we recommend visiting several breeders when you are looking for a puppy, we also urge you to visit various trainers to inspect the facilities and enquire about their training techniques.

One of the positive things about using a formal training facility is the lack of distractions that could be present when you are training your dog at home. Additionally, be sure the trainer uses only positive techniques, avoiding any forms of harsh treatment and negative reinforcement. This alone will make a huge difference to your Golden Retriever training and will help him or her become an obedient and loving family member.