MAHONEYGOLD

The Golden Retriever is a biddable dog and likes to please their human family.  They are highly intelligent and pick up new exercises quickly, so your job is provide a positive learning environment.

 

Bringing your puppy home for the first time is naturally a happy and exciting occasion, but it can be a little daunting too – there is so much for both you and your puppy to learn! 

 

• Choose an area that is free from distractions so your puppy will focus on you. You can progress to a more challenging environment as your puppy progresses.

• Do not train your puppy just after they have eaten or when you have just returned from exercise. They will be to tired or too full to concentrate.

• Make sure you have a high value treat as a reward.  I use cocktail sausages cut into small bite size pieces 

• Keep verbal cues simple for each exercise

• If your Goldie is finding an exercise difficult try breaking it down into small steps

• Do not train for too long, particularly with a young puppy, who has a very short attention span, and always end training sessions on a positive note.

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Stationary Exercises

 

Sit:

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The best method is to lure you Goldie into a sit position:

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Hold the treat above their head, start using a verbal cue (i.e. sit, sit, sit) continuously and start slowly moving the treat towards the dogs back.  As they look up, they will lower the hindquarters and go into a sit. as soon as they are in the sit position give them the treat and praise. Practice this a few times and they will soon understand the 'Sit' command.

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Down

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This is an important less, and can be a lifesaver if an emergency arises and you need to bring your Golden Retriever to an instant halt.

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You can start with your dog in a Sit or a Stand for this exercise.  Stand or kneel in front of your dog and show you have a treat in your hand.  Hold the treat just infant of their nose, start using your verbal cue (i.e. down, down, down) continuously and slowly lower it towards the ground between their front legs.  As your Goldie follows the treat they will go down on their front legs and in a few moments, their hindquarters will follow.  Sometimes you may need to add gentle pressure on the dogs shoulders, in order to get in the correct down position.  As soon as your dog is in the down position, give them the treat and lots of praise. Again keep practicing this method and your Goldie will soon know the Down command.

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Important training tips

 

Start as you mean to go on. If you are always consistent you will avoid confusing your puppy. 

 

Keep it short and keep it simple, but most of all keep it fun. Puppies respond better to cheerful voice tones rather than to threatening orders. Gentle play builds trust and a strong bond between you and your puppy as well as making training fun. Patience is the KEY ingredient in dog training. If you try to rush things you will only get frustrated and confuse your puppy. Keep it interesting: cultivate a range of different rewards incorporating play, fuss, praise, treats and toys. This will stop both of you from getting bored.

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