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Golden Retriever Puppy Training: The Surprising Truth About When to Start

By: Arlene Divina
Arlene Divina, one of the content writers at IHD, loves going on adventures with her adorable fur baby. She now creates informative content for pet parents. Read more
| August 21, 2023

Golden Retrievers, with their luminous golden coats, amiable nature, and heartwarming smiles, have firmly solidified their reputation as one of the most beloved dog breeds worldwide. While their gentle temperament and eagerness to please make them delightful companions, it’s crucial to begin training early to nurture these innate qualities and ensure they grow into well-behaved adults. This article provides guidance on when to begin training, addresses potential pitfalls of delayed instruction, and highlights the advantages of online dog training resources.

The Ideal Time to Begin Training for a Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden Retrievers, recognized for their intelligence and responsiveness, are aptly suited to early training. Ideally, you should embark on your Golden Retriever puppy’s training journey as soon as they join your household, typically between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks.

Starting at this young age offers several benefits:

  • Their impressionable minds are more receptive to learning, making the training process smoother.
  • It allows for early socialization, ensuring your puppy becomes accustomed to various environments, sounds, and experiences.
  • Initiating foundational commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come” becomes more effortless, laying the groundwork for more advanced training later on.

Golden Retrievers thrive on positive reinforcement. Their intrinsic desire to please paired with a reward-based approach will often lead to faster learning and a stronger bond between puppy and owner.

Behavior Challenges from Delayed Training of a Golden Retriever Puppy

While Golden Retrievers are generally affable, delaying training can inadvertently nurture undesirable behaviors. Here are some potential issues owners may face if training is postponed:

  1. Excessive Jumping: Golden Retrievers are sociable creatures. Without early training to control their excitement, they might develop a habit of jumping on guests or family members, which can be problematic, especially with children or elderly individuals.
  2. Mouthing and Nipping: As puppies, Golden Retrievers explore the world through their mouths. Without timely intervention, playful mouthing can escalate into painful nipping.
  3. Barking: Golden Retrievers can become vocal if they feel neglected or wish to communicate. Delayed training may lead to persistent, unnecessary barking.
  4. Leash-Pulling: Given their energy levels, untrained Golden Retrievers might develop a tendency to pull on their leash during walks, which can make outings strenuous.

Engaging in structured, consistent training from an early age can significantly mitigate these behaviors, ensuring your Golden Retriever is not just amiable but also well-mannered.

Advantages of Online Training for Your Golden Retriever Puppy

Online dog training has blossomed in popularity, offering owners a flexible and comprehensive approach to training. Here are two benefits of utilizing online courses for your Golden Retriever:

  1. Flexibility and Pace: Online courses offer the luxury of tailoring the training pace to your puppy’s individual needs. This means you can spend more time on areas that require extra attention, ensuring thorough understanding and mastery.
  2. Access to Expertise: Traditional training might limit you to local expertise. Online platforms, however, open up a world of top dog trainers and their wealth of experience. This ensures your Golden Retriever benefits from best practices and innovative training techniques.

The Only 2 Online Puppy Training Courses We Recommend

1. SpiritDog’s Ultimate Puppy Bundle (BEST BUDGET FRIENDLY OPTION)

This comprehensive online puppy training program, designed by experienced trainer Steffi Trott, aims to help dog owners raise a well-behaved, social, and friendly puppy. The course provides lifetime access to over 70 lessons, including videos and an exclusive eBook, with a focus on critical behaviors like biting, potty training, and chewing. Participants can learn at their own pace from home, with the ability to ask unlimited questions to professional trainers. The program promises noticeable improvements in puppy behavior with just 10 minutes of practice per day. It comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, lifetime personal support, and seven bonus mini-courses covering specific issues like hyperactivity and separation anxiety.

2. K9 Training Institute’s “Dog Masterclass” (BEST OVERALL)

In addition to basic puppy training, this more comprehensive training class tackles any behavior problem you might face with your dog. It’s made an a very easy to follow video format.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Golden Retrievers, with their radiant personalities and keen intelligence, are a joy to train. Early, consistent instruction ensures they grow into well-rounded adults, and the digital age’s resources, like online training courses, enhance this process further. With the right approach, dedication, and resources, you can guide your Golden Retriever puppy towards becoming the ideal companion – respectful, obedient, and forever endearing.

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