How to Train a Golden Retriever to be Calm

Hello Corinne, Her energy probably won't change until she gets a bit older but you can teach a dog to stay still on command for long periods, listen better, not pull, not jump, ect...which helps manage the energy. Also, when you exercise her focus on things that also challenge her brain. Mentally stimulating exercise has been proven to wear a dog out better than physical exercise alone. Tricks, games that incorporate obedience, agility, and commands that require a lot of focus and self-control. When you take her on walks also require her to heel beside you and focus on you so that she is working for you during the walk - stop and work on commands like Down Stay and Sit Stay periodically - she is more likely to be calmer when you get back home from that type of walk. To help manage the energy and teach better manners and self-control I highly suggest working on the following commands with her (be patient and very consistent): Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Crate manners: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Heel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo For the jumping check out the article linked below and focus the most on the Step Toward Method. You may need to use the Leash method too with guests. When she will not jump on you when you come home anymore, then work on acting really exciting, like doing jumping jacks and making funny noises to get her excited, then use the Step Toward Method if she jumps then as well - this is to teach her to not jump when she is excited as well - since guests will be especially exciting. Jumping: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, Golden Retrievers have a lot of energy and a young one, in particular, will expend their energy by chewing. Buy Riley textured toys that will work the teeth and gums. As well, interactive toys are a great way to stimulate a busy puppy's mind. Try feeding Riley 1/2 of the meal in the bowl and the other half in the feeder (with supervision). If there is frustration, give assistance the first few times. Take a look here for tips on carpet chewing: https://wagwalking.com/training/not-chew-the-carpet. As for the leash: https://wagwalking.com/training/accept-a-leash. See if any of the tips are helpful. Make sure the leash is not heavy and bulky, even a cat leash at the beginning is fine and will seem less intimidating. You can move up to a larger leash later. Have Riley sit before many events, such as before the food dish is placed on the floor, before getting a toy, before a treat is given and also before the leash is put on. This may bring better cooperation. Give Riley lots and lots of exercise, too. Happy training!

Hello, this can be a challenge for Ollie but can be overcome. Make sure that you are taking him on walks where he can interact with people on a regular basis. Obedience training is important, too. Enroll him in training classes as soon as you can. I've seen dogs who were completely unmanageable become very well-behaved when guests are around. In the meantime, this comes with consistent daily training. Start here: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you. Read the entire guide through for excellent tips! Teach your dog the "sit" command and work on it until he has it perfected. When visitors come over, have Ollie on a leash beside you, sitting until the visitor arrives and is inside. Guests can only pet Ollie as long as he remains sitting. If he attempts to move, have him go into the sit position again, and no treat. The guest can then approach Ollie again. Take a look here for more techniques: https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-visitors-calmly. I definitely recommend professional training, though. You'll have a new dog in no time. Good luck!

Hello, First, I recommend crate training her and giving her a dog food stuffed chew toy in the crate to give you a break and to keep her out of trouble and safe when you can't supervise. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Second, I recommend practicing short training session with her each day that you can. Training her brain will actually help wear her out more than some physical exercise. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzFRKsgVMhGTxffpzgTJlQ Third, have her work for more of her meal kibble by putting her kibble in things like Kongs, kong wobbles, durable puzzle toys, ect... To stuff a kong you can either place pup's dry dog food loosely in it and cover 1/2 of the opening with a larger treat - so the dog food will dispense more slowly, or place pup's food in a bowl, cover with water, let sit out until the food turns to mush, mix the mush with a little liver paste, treat paste, or peanut butte (avoid xylitol! - it's extremely toxic to dogs and a common sweetener substitute), place a straw through the kong's holes, loosely stuff the kong with the mush, place in a baggie, and free overnight. Remove the straw before giving pup and grab the kong from the freezer as needed - for a time-released treat. You can also purchase several durable hollow chew toys and stuff them at the same time so that you have a stash in the freezer to grab from as needed. Maturity will also help. Puppies tend to have a lot of energy, especially when they "wake up" more around 3-4 months. Don't feel like you have to always entertain her. Spend intentional time training, exercising and socializing her throughout the day, but it's also okay to give her a chew toy to play with and give her some quiet time in the crate or an exercise pen when you need a break. Or tethering her to yourself with a hands free leash when you have to get stuff done around the house but she isn't safe yet to be left unattended. Practicing being alone and learning to entertain herself with dog food stuffed chew toys can help her develop an "Off" switch in the home as well. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Siddharth, I would start by stimulating pup more mentally - giving pup jobs to do, dog food in things like kongs, kong wobbles, puzzle toys, or automatic treat dispensers. You can also incorporate obedience into things like Fetch or Heeling Walks to wear pup out during those activities faster and help alleviate boredom. I would work on teaching things like Leave It and Out. Out - leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Check this article and the tips on teaching Leave It, using deterrents and confining when you can't supervise right now. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-not-to-chew/ For the excitement with people, I would recruit friends and practice the Passing Approach method - with people instead of other dogs in this case, if pup is friendly and not at all aggressive with people. Passing Approach: https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs Check out this article for helping with polite greetings if pup tends to jump, to teach pup to Sit instead. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump Finally, for longer guest visits and building self-control in general, you can teach pup a 1+ hour Place command and give pup a dog food stuffed chew toy on Place. Start small and work up to the longer time and distractions very gradually through frequent short practices. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello! Here is information on nipping/biting. Nipping: Puppies may nip for a number of reasons. Nipping can be a means of energy release, getting attention, interacting and exploring their environment or it could be a habit that helps with teething. Whatever the cause, nipping can still be painful for the receiver, and it’s an action that pet parents want to curb. Some ways to stop biting before it becomes a real problem include: Using teething toys. Distracting with and redirecting your dog’s biting to safe and durable chew toys is one way to keep them from focusing their mouthy energies to an approved location and teach them what biting habits are acceptable. Making sure your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Exercise is huge. Different dogs have different exercise needs based on their breed and size, so check with your veterinarian to make sure that yours is getting the exercise they need. Dogs—and especially puppies—use their playtime to get out extra energy. With too much pent-up energy, your pup may resort to play biting. Having them expel their energy in positive ways - including both physical and mental exercise - will help mitigate extra nips. Being consistent. Training your dog takes patience, practice and consistency. With the right training techniques and commitment, your dog will learn what is preferred behavior. While sometimes it may be easier to let a little nipping activity go, be sure to remain consistent in your cues and redirection. That way, boundaries are clear to your dog. Using positive reinforcement. To establish preferred behaviors, use positive reinforcement when your dog exhibits the correct behavior. For instance, praise and treat your puppy when they listen to your cue to stop unwanted biting as well as when they choose an appropriate teething toy on their own. Saying “Ouch!” The next time your puppy becomes too exuberant and nips you, say “OUCH!” in a very shocked tone and immediately stop playing with them. Your puppy should learn - just as they did with their littermates - that their form of play has become unwanted. When they stop, ensure that you follow up with positive reinforcement by offering praise, treat and/or resuming play. Letting every interaction with your puppy be a learning opportunity. While there are moments of dedicated training time, every interaction with your dog can be used as a potential teaching moment.

Hello! There are quite a few modifications that can be made to help your dog become more calm. I am sending you a link to a great article. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/training-a-hyperactive-dog-to-calm-down/