Digging in Golden Retriever is Normal
Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds with dog owners. They are adorable in appearance and they have a very amiable temperament. They do well when in the company of strangers and other dogs. Keeping a golden retriever as a pet can be a very fulfilling and meaningful experience for you. Many proud owners like to enter their golden puppies in show competitions too. Here are five tips about golden retriever training that you should keep in mind.
Compliment and Reprimand Your Dog
During the golden retriever training, it is important that you praise your dog when it is displaying good behavior. If he successfully fetches you an object, you must praise him immediately. Conversely, when he makes a mistake such as chewing your shoes, you need to reprimand him for it. Your compliments and reprimands should come immediately after he has displayed a certain behavior. There should not be any delays because he may confuse that ball-fetching is not tolerated by you.
Golden Retriever Chewing 101
All dogs love to chew and golden retrievers are no exception. Dogs chew not only because it is fun but also for health reasons. When a puppy is teething, chewing will help to ease the pain that he is experiencing. Thus, during your golden retriever training, your focus should be on redirecting its attention to the chewing toys and off the items that he shouldn’t be chewing. Give him plenty of chew toys to select. If you sport him chewing on your valuable item, distract him by clapping loudly. He will release the item temporarily. Shift his focus onto his chewing toys then.
Adequate Exercise
Golden retrievers are highly active animals. They also require a lot of attention from you. To ensure that your dog develops an affinity with you, you need to take him out for plenty of exercise. Engage him in fun activities. It is during these activities that your dog will bond with you.
Keeping Him on a Leash
It is the question that many owners have: “Should I keep my dog on a leash?” Most dogs hate the discomfort of being leashed. They also hate that they are not allowed to run around freely. This is especially so for golden retrievers, as they love to play around. Most owners do not give their dogs ample time to get used to the collars and leash. They put it on around the necks and then start yanking away when he misbehaves. Avoid doing this. Let your dog get used to the leash. Put the leash on even when he is inside your apartment. As he walks, he will drag the leash with him.
Once he has gotten used to the leash, you can take up the leash and start getting him to respond to you. Praise him when he executes the right moves.
Digging Is Golden Retrievers’ Second Nature
Golden retrievers love to dig. As the owner, you need to keep this in mind. You need to allocate a space for your dog to dig. If you do not have the luxury of a backyard, you can consider making a sand box and burying his favorite dogs in it. Your golden retriever will love the sand box.