Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world today, and with good reason. These beautiful, gentle, fun-loving dogs make wonderful companions and great family pets. They love children and they are devoted to their owners. They’re also one of the smartest breeds of dog. They are eager to please and they’re very easy to train. Golden Retriever training can be fun for you and your dog, especially if you follow the steps below.
Step one: Decide what kind of training you want to do with your Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are good at lots of things, they excel at obedience, agility, rally, flyball, and other dog sports. Goldens are great at anything that requires some intelligence and enthusiasm. Goldens are one of the breeds used as guide dogs for the blind and they are favorites as therapy dogs, too. You can probably train your Golden Retriever to do just about anything so consider what you would like to do with your dog and then you can start your training.
Step two: No matter what you intend to do with your Golden, you will need the right equipment. For most training you can start with a good collar and leash. A flat buckle collar and a leash to match are a good choice for most beginning activities. Nylon is fine. Make sure the collar fits your dog properly. You should be able to fit two fingers between your dog’s collar and his throat for a proper fit. The collar shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. The leash should be about six feet long.
Step three: No matter what kind of training you decide to pursue, most dogs can benefit from some basic obedience at the start. It’s a good idea to teach your dog the basic commands of sit, lie down, stay, come, heel, and how to walk on a loose leash. Your Golden Retriever will be eager to please you and he’s very intelligent, so he can learn commands such as these in a relatively short period of time. If you practice a little with your dog each day, your dog will know the commands very quickly. Keep your training sessions short and fun. The more like play you make your training, the more fun it will be for you and your dog.
Step four: Praise and reward. Most dogs respond to praise and reward, but Golden Retrievers are particularly upbeat, positive dogs. They thrive on pleasing their owners. Your Golden Retriever training will go much better if you use praise and reward as part of your training. These dogs do not respond well to harsh training methods or punishment. They can have a soft temperament, typical of many of the sporting dogs, so use positive methods when training them.
Step five: Will you train at home with your dog or will you sign up for a class? There are pros and cons to both choices. You can find good books, CDs, and DVDs to help you train your dog at home, but you won’t have the benefit of a trainer to help you. If you attend a class you will need to find a trainer that you like, and it’s not always easy to find the right trainer. A bad trainer is worse than no trainer at all. It’s often best to read some books and look at some materials and then attend a class with your dog once you know what kind of trainer you are seeking. You’ll have enough information to make a good decision. Check out kennel clubs, shelters that offer classes, pet stores with classes, and training centers. Some trainers also offer private classes and will come to your home for one-on-one sessions, though the price may be a little higher.
Golden Retriever training can be lots of fun. These are wonderful dogs who love to learn. Decide what you want to do with your dog and go out and have a ball!
