Along with Labrador retrievers, the golden retriever is the most popular breed participating in the Head Start puppy training classes. With Goldens, as with any other breeds, we stress that early socialization and training be done to ensure a sound temperament as a dog matures.

     One of the common problems owners experience is that with this breed, because of their tremendous need for social attention and contact, have the tendency to greet people, particularly guests, by jumping up on them, and obviously this can be problematic for children or older people. Many individual goldens get so excited they simply cannot contain their emotions, and the way we have handled it in the Head Start training classes is to teach the golden puppy an obedience procedure in the context in which jumping is likely, and this usually is effective to counter the jumping up tendency.

     Behavioral problems are generally few, provided that the puppy is obtained from a reputable breeder, although puppy mill varieties can play havoc with both medical and behavioral conditions. However, with this breed there is a relatively wide margin of error in terms of faulty genetic behavioral dispositions. Like Labrador retriever puppies, goldens are strong and will pull the owner if not taught properly to heel. To counter the pulling tendency, Gentle Leader head collars may be utilized. Head Collar are generally much better and more humane options than a choke chain. For goldens, food treats are rarely needed to instill compliance to obedience procedures; for most golden retriever puppies social praise when appropriate is all that is usually needed!