Why Golden Retrievers Are Harder to Train Than You Think

Siddhant Bhandari | Nov 13, 2025, 11:37 IST
Golden Retriever Training Session
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Among‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ the most admirable traits of a Golden Retriever are its friendly nature, intelligence, and loyalty. A lot of people think that such a dog must be very easy to train, but in reality, Golden Retrievers are sometimes difficult to an extent that you might be surprised. Their abundant energy, love for being with people, and being easily hurt call for the owner's patience and effort to be ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌increased.

High Energy Levels Make Training a Challenge

Learning to Shake Hands
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It‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ can be said that Golden Retrievers have a heritage that goes back to when they were specifically bred as hunting and working dogs, so they naturally come with a huge supply of energy. These dogs may become disorderly, inattentive, and, in some cases, destructive if they are not provided with sufficient physical and mental stimulation. An unoccupied Golden is capable of damaging the house by chewing it, digging, or, in general, making noise through barking. Long walks, play sessions, and mental exercises should be part of their daily routine if we want to see them tranquil and attend to the trainer’s ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌instructions.

Their Friendly Nature Causes Distractions

Bonding Through Training
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Golden‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Retrievers are lovable to all people, as they are by their nature very social and are always willing to make new friends. Though it makes them excellent pets for a family, the downside is that it can be hard to train them. They sometimes do not hear because of the people, dogs, or even small noises in their surroundings. It takes a firm and slow approach to social training for them to learn to concentrate in a distracting ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌place.

Sensitive Temperament Needs Gentle Guidance

Teaching with Treats
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Unlike‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ those breeds that are supposed to be corrected firmly, Golden Retrievers are sensitive beings by nature. They are capable of becoming anxious or stubborn if you give them a harsh tone or punish them. Helping them is definitely the most effective method. When training is presented to them as a game and they are rewarded rather than being forced, they ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌flourish.

Slow Maturity Means Longer Training Periods

Playful Training Moments
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Golden‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Retrievers are known for their tendency to retain their playful and puppy-like nature for a long time, even after they grow up. Their silly and curious characters are such that it is difficult to keep them under discipline. Due to this delayed maturation, the owners have to be patient and keep on with their training for several months or even years until the dog becomes fully ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌obedient.

The Key to Success: Consistency and Patience

It’s‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ quite a challenge to train a Golden Retriever, but the outcome is definitely worth it. In due time, with the right kind of training, a lot of walking, and the use of positive reinforcements, they can be made to develop a gentle, faithful, and affectionate nature. Keep in mind that a trained Golden Retriever is not a gift from heaven, but it is rather the product of continued attention, empathy, and the establishment of mutual ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌trust.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)







  1. What is the hardest stage of the golden retriever?The most difficult is usually between 8 and 18 months
  2. Why are Golden Retrievers so hard to train?Common treat-based training methods often don't work very well to train a golden retriever to listen and behave reliably.
  3. What is the downside of having a Golden Retriever?High exercise needs, significant shedding and grooming requirements, and potential for separation anxiety.
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