Why Training Your Golden Retriever Puppy Will Pay Dividends


Golden Retrievers make great family dogs, but puppies must be trained to ensure a proper introduction into the routines of a new household. They truly want to please, and require direction from you to make it happen.

Puppies are normally very energetic and may think they are the boss. Early training will enable them to mature properly. After all, your sweet little adorable puppy will quickly grow into a 60-70 LB dog.

Whatever you do now with training, socialization, and setting boundaries will pay big dividends later. A well behaved adult Retriever will be a blessing for you. After all, Goldens want to please and rely on you to provide guidance.

Here are some Golden Retriever puppy training tips:

Welcome to Their New Home

Make sure your home is ready for your new companion:

1.    Preparation needs to begin before the puppy arrives home. Make sure you have purchased essential supplies such as water and food bowls, a dog bed, a quality dog brush, a leash and collar, and a good quality dog food. This will allow you to give your full attention to your puppy and not need to run up to the store.

2.    Golden Retriever puppies are full of energy and might be hard to keep up with. Coupled with their innate curiosity, they can have a tendency to run into a little trouble. Do a “walk through” of your home to make sure there are not any environmental dangers such as exposed electrical wires, sharp objects, or any toxins in their path. Proper training begins with your dog feeling secure and an unfortunate mishap can set that back.

3.    Decide where you want training to take place. Puppies feel more secure in familiar places and can pay better attention to you ,rather than checking out a new place.

 

Introduction to Housebreaking

There is nothing that complicated about housebreaking a puppy, but the job requires patience and a plan. Some housebreaking tips:

  • Try to resist the temptation to paper train your puppy since this can create confusion in the dog’s mind. Take your Golden outside from day one and reward the successes and have patience with the failures.
  • Use one section of your lawn to take the potty breaks. This will tip off your puppy what you expect him to do.
  • Use a predictable schedule. Start with going out every hour or so and after meals. Take notes and review them from time to time.
  • Try feeding on a regular schedule. Scheduled, regular meals promote timely and predictable elimination.
  • Middle of the night potty trips are bound to happen for a few weeks. Of course you are the boss. Make it as quick and purposeful as possible. Avoid letting the puppy know that this should be a normal schedule.
  • Reward the successes. You Golden puppy wants to please and will respond to your positive encouragement.

 

Avoiding Unwanted Behaviors

Instinct coupled with energy can equal some unintended destructive behavior in your home. Chewing and jumping are common puppy behaviors. Without proper attention and behavior management, you might find some chewed up slippers, a ripped up couch, or a knocked over table which used to hold your favorite glass lamp. Best to train while a puppy has immature baby teeth and damage can be kept to a minimum.

Furnish your puppy with some carefully chosen chew toys. Praise her for chewing on them. Keep track of the toys condition and replace if they appear worn.

Provide plenty of directed exercise to release pent up energy.

Just remember, your Golden Retriever puppy needs your guidance, not your scorn. Bad behavior should be addressed with a NO, not a beating.

Training Benefits

In the beginning, training a new ball of fire can seem like a flabbergasting task. Eventually, routines take root and you can take a deep breath. You and your companion will have many great times together. Just remember, at first you must be firm, supportive, and consistent.