How To Use Obedience Training With Your Golden Retriever

Few folks can resist that adorable ball of fluff known as the Golden Retriever puppy. But before you bring one of those fur balls home from the breeder, it is helpful to get some basic information regarding Golden Retriever obedience training. Training your pup will begin the first day that you bring him home, and will continue for many weeks and even months as your puppy learns the rules of the house and that you are quite serious about enforcing them.

Keep in mind that the cute, ten-pound baby will quickly grow to a fifty or sixty-pound dog that will be much harder to control if he hasn't already learned proper manners and behavior. So while it may seem silly to begin Golden Retriever obedience training with a young pup, it is most definitely the right step on the road to owning an adult dog that you, your family and visitors to your home can enjoy.

Some of the earliest Golden Retriever obedience training that you will do regards housebreaking. Teaching your pup the proper place to potty is a top priority, and should begin from the first day you bring him home. Crate training is usually the easiest way to housebreak any type of puppy. By keeping your pup in his crate when you cannot watch him closely, he learns to hold it until he is taken outside, since most dogs will not go to the bathroom in the same spot where they sleep or eat.

Your Golden Retriever should only be kept in his crate for short periods of time, and he should be taken outdoors immediately when he is released. Take him to the same spot in the yard and wait until he goes to the bathroom. Then you can praise him and bring him indoors. Repeat this process after meals and naps, or when you see your pup begin to sniff around on the carpet, and you will be able to prevent most accidents from occurring in the house.

Once your puppy is successfully housebroken, you can begin to think about formal Golden Retriever obedience training. There are many classes available with trained instructors who can teach you the finer points of teaching your Golden Retriever proper behavior.

If you have been through an obedience training course before, you can probably train your dog effectively at home, as long as you make sure to spend at least a few minutes every day working together.

To choose a training program for your dog, look for smaller class sizes and an emphasis on food rewards and praise. Since Golden Retrievers are eager to please their masters, this is generally the best approach to Golden Retriever obedience training. Avoid programs that emphasize punishment or intimidation as a method of training.

With clear consistent training and loads of praise and positive reinforcement, your Golden will be a delight for you and your family for many years to come.

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