How to Train a Stubborn Golden Retriever: Pro Tips
Golden Retrievers are known for being sweet, friendly, and loyal. But even the most lovable Goldens can have a stubborn streak!
If your Golden Retriever sometimes decides that your commands are more like “suggestions,” you’re in the right place. With the right approach, even a stubborn Golden can become an obedient companion.
Let’s break down how to train your headstrong Golden without losing your patience.
Positive Reinforcement: Goldens Love to Please
Golden Retrievers are people-pleasers, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always listen right away. When your Golden gets stubborn, use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. Goldens respond extremely well to rewards like treats, praise, or their favorite toy.
Pro Tip: Use treats that your dog can’t resist. Tiny, bite-sized rewards work best so you don’t end up overfeeding them during training sessions.
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Join The Club Today! 🐾Make sure to reward immediately after your Golden obeys. The quicker they connect the action to the reward, the faster they’ll learn.
Keep Training Sessions Short and Fun
Goldens can be stubborn if they get bored, which happens fast with long, repetitive training sessions. If your Golden Retriever starts zoning out, it’s time to mix things up!
Pro Tip: Stick to 5-10 minute training sessions. Keep them fun and high-energy so your Golden stays engaged.
Incorporate games, like fetch, into your training to keep your dog interested. You can practice commands like “sit” or “stay” while playing, making the training feel less like work and more like fun.
Be Consistent with Commands
Golden Retrievers are smart, but they can get confused if you aren’t consistent. If you use different commands for the same action, they won’t know what you want.
Pro Tip: Stick with one-word commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come.” Make sure everyone in the household is on the same page so your Golden doesn’t get mixed signals.
Consistency isn’t just about the words you use—it’s also about your tone and timing. If you ask your dog to “stay” one day and then don’t enforce it the next, they’ll think it’s optional.
Work with Their Energy Levels
Goldens are active dogs. A tired Golden is much easier to train than one bursting with energy. If your dog is bouncing off the walls, it’ll be harder to get them to focus on training.
Pro Tip: Take your Golden for a walk or play a good game of fetch before starting a training session. Burn off some of that energy so they’re more inclined to listen.
Training a well-exercised dog makes everything easier. Plus, Goldens love the combination of physical and mental activity.
Patience Is Key (Goldens Can Be a Bit Silly)
Goldens have a goofy, playful side that sometimes gets in the way of training. You might ask them to “stay,” and they’ll just roll over for belly rubs. It’s hard to get frustrated when they’re being adorable, but don’t let their charm derail your training.
Pro Tip: Stay patient, and don’t give up. If your Golden isn’t getting it right away, break the command down into smaller steps. Start with short “stays” and gradually increase the time.
Celebrate the small wins and build from there. Goldens are sensitive dogs, so staying upbeat will help them feel confident in their learning.
Use Play as a Training Tool
Goldens love to play, and you can use that to your advantage. Incorporate training into playtime so your Golden Retriever is always learning, even when they think they’re just having fun.
Pro Tip: Practice commands like “drop it” or “come” during a game of fetch. You can also teach them “wait” when you’re throwing a ball, making sure they stay put until you give the release command.
Turning training into a game keeps things fresh and exciting, preventing your Golden from getting bored or stubborn.
Socialize Early and Often
Golden Retrievers are naturally friendly, but without proper socialization, they can become overly excitable or distracted around new people, dogs, or environments. A well-socialized Golden will be more focused and easier to train.
Pro Tip: Introduce your Golden to a variety of people, pets, and places from a young age. Take them to parks, pet-friendly stores, or puppy playdates. The more experiences they have, the less distracted they’ll be in new environments.
A well-socialized dog is calmer and more responsive, which makes training much smoother.
FAQs
Q: Are Golden Retrievers easy to train?
A: Generally, yes! Goldens are known for being intelligent and eager to please. However, they can get stubborn if bored or not properly motivated.
Q: How long should training sessions last?
A: Keep training sessions short, around 5-10 minutes. Goldens lose interest quickly, so brief, fun sessions are more effective.
Q: What’s the best way to motivate a stubborn Golden Retriever?
A: Goldens respond well to food rewards, praise, and playtime. Find what excites your dog the most and use that as motivation during training.
Final Thoughts
Training a stubborn Golden Retriever may seem challenging at times, but with patience, consistency, and the right tools, you’ll get there. Goldens are incredibly smart and love to please, so once they catch on, they’ll be eager to follow your lead. Keep things fun, use positive reinforcement, and make sure to celebrate the small victories along the way.
By working with their natural energy and playful spirit, you’ll soon have a well-trained, obedient Golden that’s a joy to be around!
I’ve spent 10+ years in dog training, digging into what makes dogs (and their humans) tick. At Smart Dog Learning, I share my no-nonsense, fun approach to training so you can enjoy life with a well-behaved, happy pup—no boring lectures, just practical results 😉
