Golden Retriever Training Basic Commands Greenville SC

Excerpts from Comprehensive Owner's Guide: Golden Retrievers

THE BASIC COMMANDS
Now it is time to apply our positive training methods to actual obedience commands. Do not become disheartened if your Golden doesn’t pick up his first lesson or two immediately. Every dog is different, and some dogs learn instantly and others require repetition and patience. Do not give up on a command until the dog has learned it. Remember to keep lessons upbeat by using a happy, energized voice. Your dog doesn’t know the word “sit” or “down” (yet!), but he does recognize your tone of voice. Sometimes in life (and dog training) it’s not what you say— it’s how you say it. This life mantra applies to training dogs as well.

TEACHING SIT
Now that you have the dog’s attention, attach his lead and hold it in your left hand and a food treat in your right. Place your food hand at the dog’s nose and let him lick the treat but not take it from you. Say “Sit” and slowly raise your food hand from in front of the dog’s nose up over his head so that he is looking at the ceiling. As he bends his head upward, he will have to bend his knees to maintain his balance. As he bends his knees, he will assume a sit position. At that point, release the food treat and praise lavishly with comments such as “Good dog! Good sit!”, etc. Remember to always praise enthusiastically, because dogs relish verbal praise from their owners and feel so proud of themselves whenever they accomplish a behavior.

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