Training a Golden Retriever: How to Train a Puppy or Adult Dog

Training dogs always comes with challenges, but take some solace in the fact that golden retrievers are among the most compliant and docile dog breeds. Like Labrador retrievers, goldens take to basic obedience training easily as they love to please their owners.

As you train your golden retriever, remember they have a lot of energy compared to certain other breeds and can occasionally think they’re still the size of puppies after they’re fully grown. But so long as you're patient, affectionate, and consistent with your training, your golden will be eager to please you.

Yes, it’s possible to train a golden retriever puppy as well as an older dog. Take your young dog’s high levels of energy into consideration—if your golden is only several weeks of age, they will be much more excitable and hyper than an older dog, although more impressionable, too. Adult dogs will likely be less energetic but also potentially more set in their ways.

Whether you’re a professional trainer or just an amateur, remember you can train any dog, no matter their origin or age. The same goes for a golden from a breeder or one you’ve rescued from a shelter. Some might require more patience than others, but it all depends on the individual golden retriever’s unique personality and needs.

If you’re going to be a new dog owner, you can start training a golden retriever as soon as you bring them home. Keep these eight training tips in mind as you teach your new dog how to behave appropriately:

1. 1. Be patient. A months-old puppy or a wizened old golden can take a little while to learn even the most basic commands, so it’s important to be patient. Although puppies generally have shorter attention spans than adult dogs, it might be easier to nip behavioral problems in the bud at a younger age. The important thing is to keep walking your dog—no matter what age—through any training step by step. Eventually, they’ll get the hang of what you’re asking them to do and you can both celebrate when the commands finally click.
2. 2. Expend energy with exercise. Golden retrievers seem to have limitless energy at times, so give them a lot of time to exercise in general and especially when you train them. Give them chew toys so they can get out any aggression and take them for long walks or even runs if you can. It’s a lot easier to make a dog sit when they’re already looking to rest.
3. 3. Expose your dog to all sorts of situations. As soon as you bring your new puppy home, expose them to as many situations as you can. Puppy training should include familiarizing them with the many various experiences they’re likely to have with you. Get them used to being left alone, meeting new dogs, and hearing occasional loud sounds. Take them out for leash training and help them learn commands like “heel” in real time.
4. 4. Remind your dog you’re the boss. As much as you might want to cuddle with your golden retriever even when they’re naughty, you need to exert dominance. This only means you have to be consistent with your dog, not cruel. For example, if they go to the bathroom in your house after potty training, you should consistently take the same action to show there are consequences to that behavior. For example, you might take them outside for a time-out.
5. 5. Socialize with other dogs. Your golden retriever needs to become accustomed to all sorts of dog behavior, so take them to a dog park or kennel for socialization. Keep them on a leash until you can reliably expect them to behave themselves around other dogs. This will help your golden learn boundaries and make friends simultaneously.
6. 6. Start all your training early. Whether your new dog is a puppy or a senior, start teaching them the rules of your house as soon as they come home. Dog training requires consistency and familiarity for your pet. They need to know what you expect of them, how you’ll reward them for obedience, and how you’ll dole out consequences, too. The earlier you start your training sessions, the better.
7. 7. Try different training tools. Your dog will eventually show you everything you need to train them, but it might take a while to get there. Use different tools to see what your dog responds to best. The clicker training method might work best for one golden retriever, whereas a greater emphasis on rewarding good behavior with dog treats might work best for another. Some goldens might require dog crate training, while others might be fine roaming the house from their first night at home with you.
8. 8. Use treats to reward good behavior. Positive reinforcement is what will anchor good behaviors for your furry friend. Give your golden retriever dog food, training treats, scratches, praise, or playtime with a favorite toy whenever they meet or exceed your behavioral expectations of them. While it’s probably always easy to show your pet affection, turn up the love even higher when they’re doing the right thing.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.