How to train your Golden Retriever puppy

Golden Retriever puppies are one of the most popular choices of dog breeds among people who are looking for a family pet. One of the reasons for this is that they are not only very attractive, but they are also one of the easiest dogs to train because they are so intelligent. Training your new Golden Retriever puppy from an early age will help to keep your dog safe and make sure that he or she fits in with the family properly allowing you to build a lasting bond with your new puppy. Let's take a look at how to go about training a golden retriever puppy.

Basic Training

Training a golden retriever puppy is much the same as any other breed of puppy. There are various different training methods around and you need to choose the most appropriate one for you, but the key is to make sure that you stick with the chosen method because consistency is a key element in whether or not your training is going to be effective. The most widely used training method involves using positive reinforcement as this is considered to be the most humane way to train your puppy and it is a method that is particularly effective with golden retrievers. This method is rooted in rewarding good behaviours rather than punishing undesirable ones. Clicker training is one of the most popular training methods which utilizes positive reinforcement.

Obedience Training

When you introduce a new Golden Retriever puppy into the family, you will want to consider obedience training so that your dog will react to your verbal commands or maybe even hand signals to perform certain actions. This includes all of those basic 'tricks' or commands we expect of dogs including sit, come, stay, leave it and so on. These commands can be used to ensure your dogs safety and to make sure that your puppy is not destructive or anti-social. These basic commands can be used to help your puppy to learn road safety and appropriate behaviour when greeting people.

It is best to keep your training sessions short and to focus on only one skill at a time. Puppies do not have a huge attention span so it is more effective to do small bursts of training for 5 to 10 minutes to begin with so that your puppy does not get bored. You can build up to longer sessions over time. It is also important to keep the commands that you use simple. For example, when teaching your puppy to sit, all you have to do is use 'sit'. Do not be tempted to add more to the command, such as 'would you please sit?'. This will only result in confusing your puppy. It all comes back to the point mentioned earlier, about keeping things consistent.

House Training

Another important aspect of training your new golden retriever puppy is, of course, house training. Nobody wants to step in 'puppy puddles' in unexpected places around the house! You can start house training your puppy as soon as you bring him or her home for the first time. The earlier you start with house braking the better. It is a good idea to try and designate an area as your puppy's 'potty' and get them into the habit of using that spot. Initially you should take them to the toilet every twenty minute and if the puppy urinates make sure to lavish him or her with praise. At this early stage it is all about happy coincidences, but once the puppy learns that going potty in that spot is a desirable behaviour that will get rewarded they will soon learn to consciously choose to urinate there.

These training tips are not just geared towards Golden Retriever puppies, they can be used with any breed of dog. The important thing is that you are positive and consistent in your approach to training your new pet. It is going to take time and effort, but it will be very rewarding when you finish the task!