Now that you’ve brought your new friend home, it’s time to start training him. Training a Golden Retriever puppy is not as difficult as it sounds. However, there are still some rules that you need to follow because the key to success in Golden Retriever puppy training is you and not your puppy.
Paper training
It all starts when you bring your puppy home for the first time. Your Golden Retriever puppy may want relief almost as soon as you bring him home, so be ready for it. First of all you need to choose a place for your puppy’s bath. In most cases, people use the bathroom or kitchen, as these places are easy to clean. However, your puppy’s potty shouldn’t be too close to your dog’s eating area for obvious reasons.
All you need to organize a proper bathroom for your pup is a stack of papers. Put them on top of each other to create a pretty solid layer. It should be thick enough that the bottom blocks stay clean after your little Golden relieves himself. Then remove the wet papers from the top and add a little to the bottom. This action is very important because doing so not only cleans the puppy’s bathroom, but also leaves behind an odor that makes it easier for the puppy to identify the area again.
Your puppy may need to relieve himself up to six times a day and you should definitely walk with him after every meal. Food creates additional pressure on the bladder, so if you want to avoid accidents, you should take your puppy for a walk immediately after eating. It is also a good idea to do the last hike of the day as late as possible. This will help your puppy to think that the night has no accidents. And don’t forget to clean up after him not only in your garden, but also on the street.
Do not punish your puppy if he relieved himself in the wrong place or was unable to hold him overnight. Dogs have very short memories, so they won’t understand why you are punishing them. If you catch it in a process, a harsh “no” should be enough. Don’t stick your nose in him and never hit him. The only effect of these actions will be another mess to clean up. It is much more effective to praise your puppy when he does his business in the right place. Scratch it behind the ears and stroke it along with verbal commands. Finally, keep in mind that accidents will occur for a certain time and that is natural.
The only proper way to punish your puppy is by putting him in a box. Isolating him from you will give him a clear idea that you are upset with his behavior.
Food and toys: is any training necessary?
Training your puppy is not limited to teaching him when and where to properly relieve or how to execute simple commands. It is also important when your Golden eats and drinks and if you can tell a chew toy from his shoe.
Many owners believe that giving a dog unlimited access to food is a good idea. It’s not. Goldens love to eat and they don’t really have discipline in this matter, which is why they tend to get fat quickly. Therefore, it is a good idea to start implementing scheduled feeding early on. Also, if you ever need to leave your Golden in the kennels, it will be less stressful for him, as kennels always practice scheduled feeding. Also limit your dog’s access to water at night – you’ll be so glad you did.
The correct choice of a chew toy for your Golden is also important. Never use your personal belongings like old slippers as chew toys for your puppy. Otherwise, you will always find your new pair with a short partner. Goldens can continue to chew not only as puppies but also as adult dogs, so it is best to find a suitable chew toy at a pet store. Try something made with rope.
Another important thing is to make sure you can bring food and toys to your dog when he needs it. To train him, just remove them from your pup every now and then until he is comfortable with him. Lastly, try to involve all members of your family in the training process. It will help ensure that your Golden obeys everyone and not just you.
