Clear Rules and Boundaries
If there is one thing that has been grossly underestimated about the Golden Retriever, it is the breed's intelligence and propensity for mischief. These are intelligent working dogs with a high energy level and a need to work.
Though Golden Retrievers are known for their sweet nature, many Goldens can be pushy with their families. The way to ensure that your dog doesn't bite to get his way is to establish yourself as leader and the giver of all good things. This is accomplished by having house rules that are not flexible until the dog is fully trained and there are no behavior problems.
If you lock your Golden Retriever in the house all day and do not provide training or appropriate outlets for exercise, your lovable, intelligent Golden will develop behavior problems. As sweet as they are, Golden Retrievers need limits, as well as boundaries and house rules. If you allow your Golden to be pushy and demanding, you will have behavior problems at some point. These may manifest themselves in not coming back when he is called, being mouthy and out of control when he doesn't want to do something, and even biting to get his way.
To prevent behavior problems and make it easier to live with your Golden, you need to provide a firm leadership structure and stick to it. Leadership is not about dominating your dog, forcing him to do things, or physically correcting him. If you behave this way with any dog, you are bound to cause more problems than you cure. Leadership is about controlling resources and setting limits. It is never achieved through violence or harsh corrections. To be a leader to your Golden, you need to:
Establish house rules.
Insist that the dog stay off beds or furniture until he is an adult and does not exhibit any behavior problems.
Ask your dog to do something before you give him anything. Sit for supper, for instance.
Limit his freedom via a crate and baby gates while you are away.
Teach him to wait until released at all doorways and stairways.
Restrict privileges until he has earned them by his good behavior.
Ignore pushy bids for attention via nudging, pawing, or barking.
Give attention to him on your own terms — for example, call your Golden to you for petting.
Teach him basic obedience commands: sit, down, stay, come, heel, and leave it.
Stop rough play in its tracks: If a game gets too rough, stop playing immediately.
Don't allow off-leash freedom if he doesn't come reliably.
By setting limits on your dog's freedom, requiring that he do something before he gets anything, being first and higher, and having everything be your idea, you will teach your Golden that all good things come from you. Being your dog's leader means that he has someone to count on to help him stay safe and provide for all of his basic needs. Dogs are not democratic. They would really rather that someone else took charge so they could concentrate on being dogs and having fun. By learning how to control resources (that is, the things your dog wants access to), you will have the ability to train your dog to pay attention to you regardless of what's happening in the environment.
