Are Golden Retrievers Easy to Train?

It takes some digging to answer the question “are golden retrievers easy to train?”. Most of the time you have to keep in mind that these dogs love nature and they enjoy exercising. So this will make them perfect for training outside at all times. That being said, there are some challenges along the way.

Are you interested in a particular topic about the ease of Golden’s training? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page. 

Some golden retrievers are hard to train because they are outdoor animals. They don’t like being indoor and that can be a huge issue for them most of the time. The thing you have to keep in mind here is that these dogs can require some time to get used to your training.

Most of the time training a Golder Retriever can be a very hard task to complete for a lot of people.

However, the true challenge here comes from being one with the dog, from understanding his fears and getting past all those problems. It’s something that does seem to be quite impressive, and the ROI can be huge in that perspective.

And while there are some challenges, the primary issue here is that they have a hard time fetching and so on. It does take a while to encourage all those mechanics, but it’s actually well worth the effort if you think about it.

Why golden retrievers are the best dogs?

Golden Retrievers are one of the most well-loved dog breeds since they are so loyal, smart and helpful. These dogs were firstborn in the Scottish Highlands in 1865 and have become family in many different households over a century later.

Golden retrievers are known for their delightful nature and easygoing personality, and you may be considering adopting a golden retriever for yourself.

Still Wondering if Golden Retrievers are Easy to Train?

Let’s make it clear: the Golden Retriever is an absolute dream to train. They love to please people and their owners so it makes them want to do anything that their owners want to get a little praise and maybe even some food.

This makes them a perfect choice for first-time dog owners who are concerned about their ability to be trained. If you want your Golden Retriever to respond to you you should be gentle with them. These dogs are sensitive by nature and won’t respond well to discipline or a harsh tone.

Golden Retrievers are Listed in the Top 10 Easiest Dogs to Train

Around 199 dog obedience judges who are part of both the Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club were asked to fill out a long questionnaire that ranked different breeds in both their obedience and work ability, and it turned out that the agreement between the judges regarding which dogs are the easiest to train was high.

Amongst the easiest dogs to train, following only after the Border Collie, Poodle and German Shepherd, is the Golden Retriever. Number four out of a wide selection of dog breeds is impressive!

Are golden retrievers smart?

how smart are golden retrievers

Golden Retrievers are known as one of the most intelligent breeds. They are included in the list of smartest dog breeds developed by American Kennel Club. They are also in the top 10 of the most comprehensive rating of canines intelligence, developed by psychologist and dog trainer, Stanley Coren. His work, “The Intelligence of Dogs,” published in 1994, explains the hypotheses about the differences in smarts between different canine breeds.

How smart are golden retrievers?

[content-egg module=Amazon template=item product=”us-B07GW7T8SB” disable_features=1 ]

Out of 138 breeds analyzed by Stanley Coren during his work on “The Intelligence of Dogs,” golden retrievers are the 4th. Cohen cooperated with veterinarians, dog experts, animal behaviorists, and obedience trial judges to complete his work. So, we can conclude that golden retrievers are very smart. 

Not to mention some other hidden talents. Here’s a fun fact: this breed holds Guinness Book of World’s Record for “Most tennis balls held in the mouth.” The achievement belongs to a pup called Augie, from Dallas, Texas.  

What is the Biggest Concern with Training a Golden Retriever?

The first thing you should teach your Golden Retriever is how to walk on a leash early on in their lives, as this is the one item they typically have trouble getting the hang of. Without learning the right leash rules early on in their lives, they can and definitely will pull on their leashes. Even so, their easy ability to be trained has made this breed the first choice for use as therapy and service dogs. Recently, Golden Retrievers have even been a top choice to work as police dogs, using their intelligence on search and rescue missions or as drug sniffers.

[content-egg module=Amazon template=item product=”us-B0753QVBRN” disable_features=1 ]

You will notice that some golden retrievers have health issues. This is genetic, and that can also make them hard to train sometimes. It’s not exactly uncommon, but it can take a while until you train your dog properly.

It all comes down to adapting the way you train your dog in a meaningful way. Rest assured that it does make a lot of sense to change your training endeavor and yes, it will surely be worth it as you go along.

These dogs find it hard to be on a leash all day. That’s maybe the most challenging thing you have to teach such a dog. Other than that, it’s not hugely challenging to train a golden retriever.

Sure, it does take some getting used to at first. But your dog will follow each mechanic and guideline you offer.

So yes, it can work quite nicely, you just have to learn how to adapt all of this so you can get the best possible outcome. Is it simple to do? In most situations it does require plenty of time, so you have to think about that the best way that you can.

Can a golden retriever be a guard dog?

can a golden retriever be a guard dog

The Golden Retriever can’t make a real guard dog. This breed has many advantages: those dogs are great friends for any member of the family. They are playful, easy to train, smart, caring about the kids and normally well-behaved (they actually made our list of best behave dog breeds). They definitely can make a great watchdog, but not that much of a guard dog due to their friendly nature.  

What to Teach your Golden Retriever?

[content-egg module=Amazon template=item product=”us-B07LGMMBHG” disable_features=1 ]

Housebreaking, leash training and basic obedience commands like sitting and stay are important, but the other skills can be taught depending on the owners’ wants and needs.

Teach them fun things like “speak” and “shake,” but also be sure to teach them important things like not to beg and not to jump when you arrive home.

Golden Retrievers are some of the easiest dogs to train. They are usually used as service and professional dogs for this reason.

If you want to master your pooch, use a gentle tone, reward them with lots of treats, love, and smiles and you’ll have a well-trained Golden Retriever in no time!

[content-egg module=Amazon template=item product=”us-B01M8JT6FT” disable_features=1 ]

To wrap it up on the question “Are golden retrievers easy to train?”:  it’s up to you and what training methods you use. But most of the times it’s not as hard as you would think.

Sure, it can be a bit technical most of the time. Yet it will be worth the effort if you do it adequately. People like the idea of trying out new mechanics, and this does fit your expertise and requirements.

It’s an amazing opportunity and one that can pay off big time, especially if you tackle it correctly.

Try to vary your training effort, as you try to identify the right options all the time! And if you are seriously considering this breed I’d suggest getting this book, outlining the step-by-step training for the breed. It’s very affordable and pretty brilliant.