Golden Retriever Training To Calm a Protective Golden
February 8, 2010 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
Among the dog breeds, golden retrievers are the least expected to be aggressive or protective. Should a special situation call for it a goldie will surely know how to be protective or defensive, but a Goldie that growls at passers by or other dogs on walks may have the signs of an incorrect temperament, and ought not therefore to be part of a breeding project.
Nowadays, more and more owners are adopting golden retrievers from rescues. Obviously these dogs come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances, and an odd one or two has unknown breeding information. And so, some goldies will display behavior that leave owners in the dark: is this dog being protective, or aggressive, or not?
Veteran golden owners advise that the typical dog does bark occasionally at guests, but most of the time out of excitement. If the dog can get close enough, it also sniffs closely, but then leaves after a few minutes of satisfying its curiosity. However, the dog that shows protective behavior or threatens body language is a different story.
If you think your own golden is displaying an abnormal level of protectiveness for you, try the following golden retriever training steps which may just be the key to helping it overcome guarding/ protective tendencies.
1. In meeting acquaintances together with the dog, the way to do it which will not worry the dog is to step forward while also leaning forward, then offer your hand first.
2. When a dog instinctively tries to protect, it behaves negatively since it feels very vulnerable, among other feelings. Some dogs are known to bark a lot, and loudly at that, only when its favorite house members are home.
Some owners looking for a protection dog in the goldie may choose to encourage instead the dog’s barking. So whenever the dog is inside the home and barks, owners only need to go to the frot window, or look out the door, pet the dog and say to it a few words in a calm voice. No more hugging, coddling or a long litany of reassurances in a hushed voice.
3. In golden retriever training, by coddling the dog (e.g. allowing it to bury under your arm, or hugging it all the while speaking in a comforting whisper), you’re encouraging your pet to give in to its fears. Sometimes it IS reasonable to be scared, but a meeting with your own acquaintances or a casual walk outdoors are not good settings for a “spooked” dog.
The dog may also run to you, looking for cover, so to speak. Do not coddle the dog. Do not do anything except to say “It’s alright”, and continue as if there is nothing untoward going on. When the dog sees and senses that you are indeed alright, the dog will also learn to make light of it. Otherwise, the dog will at least be smart enough to observe you first before giving in to its primal reaction.
