​Resources for Training; 

1. Goosetown Goldens Puppy Training Program- Click here for more information (Basic Puppy Obedience)

2. Baxter & Bella Online Puppy School- Click here for more information (Basic Obedience, Behavioral issues, etc. )

3. Canton Retrievers Stevensville, MT -Click here for more information (Basic Obedience, Waterfowl, Upland, Shed Hunting)

4. Clearwater Canine - Coeur d'Alene, ID -Click here for more information (Basic Obedience, Service Work)

5. Freddy King The Retriever Trainer Online Program- Click here for more information (Hunting Retriever Training)

6. Bill Hillman Online Retriever Training Program- Click here for more information (Hunting Retriever Training, Puppy raising for gundog potential)

7. Total Retriever Training with Mike Lardy- Click here for more information (Hunting Retriever Training)

8. Evan Graham's SmartWorks Retriever Training Series- Click here for more information (Hunting Retriever Training)

9. Local Professional Trainer nearest to you

10. Google/YouTube

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Training techniques and equipment: 

• Training can be accomplished at home, in an obedience class, or with a private trainer. It requires patience, a collar, a leash, a sense of humor, patience, and an understanding of dog behavior. That understanding can come from one or more of the many excellent books written about training companion dogs or from an obedience instructor or dog trainer. 

• Consistency is important in dog training. For example, if Ruffie was allowed to sit on the sofa yesterday and is yelled at for joining Aunt Florence on the sofa today, she'll be confused. It's better to teach her "up" and "off" so she'll climb on the furniture only when invited. If Mom says that Spot gets only dog food and treats, and the kids feed him from the table, he'll learn to beg and ultimately to steal in spite of Mom's efforts. Then, when he feasts on the roast, he's really in the doghouse for doing something he's actually been "trained" to do. 

• Training should be fun. Keep them short so they don’t lose focus. Every training session should be punctuated with games, praise, and hugging. Buster should look forward to each session, just as he looks forward to his daily exercise. Every exercise should be useful at home. The dog should learn to sit on command and be conditioned to sit before going through a doorway, getting in or out of the car, before getting his dinner or a treat, and before getting petted by strangers or visitors. A sitting dog cannot knock a bowl of food out of your hand, lunge through a narrow opening in the door, jump out of the car before you clip on the leash, and so on. 

• The dog should learn to lie down so he won't beg at the table or bother the kids at play and will ride quietly in the car, etc. He should learn to stand still so he can be groomed or examined by the veterinarian. He should learn to walk on a leash without pulling; allow his feet, ears, and teeth to be handled; and come when he's called, wherever or whenever. 

• Add a few tricks to the repertoire for fun and deal with the problems as they arise, and you'll have a well-mannered pet. 

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Schedule for Training  

The following schedule is what should be typical for an 8 week old puppy on an average day at our home. Any time we cannot watch the puppy he/she goes in a crate for anywhere from 15 mins to a couple hours. I will also stick puppies in their crate if they fall asleep for a nap. Remember that young puppies need frequent potty breaks! Times may vary by 30-60 mins on weekends or travel days. 

 

6:30 am – Wake up and let outside for potty (10-15 mins) 

6:45 am – Feed Breakfast 

7:15 am – Let outside for potty break after eating (10-15 mins) 

7:30 am –Crate while I get ready and work

9:30 am –Potty, play, (aware of puppy's location at all times) and likely nap (crate while I work) 

11:30 pm–Let outside for potty (10-15 mins)  

12:15 pm –Lunch/Play/Training – aware of puppy’s location at all times 

2 pm – Let outside potty  (10-15 mins) 

2:15 pm – Crate (contained area) while I work

4:00 pm – Let outside for potty (10-15 mins) 

4:15 pm – Play/Training- aware of puppy’s location at all times 

5:00 pm – Feed supper

5:15 pm – Potty (10-15 mins) 

5:45 pm – Play/Relax- aware of puppy’s location at all times 

7:30 pm – Pick up water 

10:30 pm – Let outside for final potty break 

10:45 – Crate for bedtime  

 

Commands your dog should be introduced to: 

• “Sit” – sit down 

• “Down” – lay down 

• “Place” – bed 

• “Here/Come”- recalls 

• “You’re free/Okay”- release command 

• “Wait”- wait until released (at the door or in crate) 

• “Lets Go”- come with me 

• “Kennel”- used to crate  

• “Heel” – walk beside me 

• “no”- correction for incorrect behavior 

 

Notes: 

1. Keep an eye on your puppy when he/she is in the house at all times- no free roaming. 

If you are unable to watch at all times, puppy must be in the crate or outside. We cannot scold a puppy for pottying in the house when we do not see it.  

2. Ignore whining or barking in crate. Do not let him out until he has calmed down and is quiet. 

3. No water or food in the crate except at specific feeding times. Bones and toys are fine in the crate. IF you do intend to feed your puppy in the crate, make sure they get a potty break not long after they finish their meal.

4. Pick up water at least 2 hours before bed.  

5. Keep him on a leash as often as possible and make his recall fun (high pitched and excited  

“come here”. Never chase him. Reward him when he comes up to you. 

6. If he does not follow a command on the first try, say “no” and give a correction. 

7. Tell or ask him what you are doing. We notice dogs understand a lot of words. For example: “wanna go outside?” or “outside” generally results in our dogs wagging their tails and heading towards the door. Some other good words to learn would be walk, leash, ball, or off.