Did you know Golden Retrievers consistently rank among the top 5 most intelligent dog breeds? This natural intelligence makes them incredibly receptive to training—even as puppies! If you’ve recently welcomed a Golden Retriever puppy into your home, you’ve picked a breed that’s not only affectionate and beautiful but also eager to learn.
Starting training early is one of the best gifts you can give your fluffy new family member. Early training builds confidence, establishes clear communication channels, and creates beneficial routines that will serve you both for years to come. The good news is that Golden Retriever puppies can begin learning basic commands as early as 8 weeks old.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the 10 essential, easy commands for Golden Retriever puppies that will set the foundation for a well-behaved adult dog. Remember that consistency and positive reinforcement are your best friends in this journey. Let’s get started on the right paw!
Understanding Your Golden Retriever Puppy’s Learning Style
Before diving into specific commands, it’s essential to understand how these adorable bundles of energy learn best. Golden Retrievers are typically highly food-motivated, which makes treats an excellent training tool. However, they also respond wonderfully to praise and play rewards.
The ideal age to start formal training is around 8-10 weeks, but different commands may be introduced at different stages of development. For instance, name recognition can begin immediately, while more complex commands like “stay” might be better suited for when your puppy is a bit older (12+ weeks).
One crucial thing to remember about golden retriever puppy training basics is that short, frequent sessions work much better than marathon training. Aim for 3-5 minutes multiple times daily rather than one 30-minute session. Puppies have short attention spans, and you want training to be fun, not tedious!
Watch for signs your puppy is ready to learn: alertness, focus on you, and eagerness to engage. On the flip side, if your puppy starts getting distracted, yawning excessively, or walking away, it’s likely reached its mental capacity for the moment. It’s perfectly fine to end on a positive note and try again later.
For maximum focus, initially create a training environment that’s relatively free of distractions. A quiet room in your house is perfect for those first sessions before gradually introducing more challenging environments.
Essential Training Equipment for Your Golden Retriever Puppy
You don’t need fancy equipment to start training, but a few basics will make the process smoother. For treats, choose small, soft, and high-value options. Training treats should be tiny (about the size of a pea) since your puppy will eat many of them. Soft treats are better than crunchy ones because they can be consumed quickly without interrupting the training flow.
Regarding collar and leash options, a lightweight flat collar and a 4-6 foot non-retractable leash work best for puppies. Save the fancy harnesses and specialty equipment for when your pup is a bit older and has mastered the basics.
Some trainers swear by clickers for precisely marking desired behaviors. If you choose one, you should “charge” it by pairing the click sound with treats before using it in training.
Creating a designated training space in your home—perhaps a specific corner of a room with minimal distractions—can help your puppy understand when it’s time to focus. As your puppy progresses, you’ll gradually move training to more distracting environments, but having that initial quiet space sets you both up for success.
Command #1: Teaching Your Golden Retriever Puppy Their Name
Although it might not seem like a “command” in the traditional sense, teaching your puppy to respond to their name is actually the foundation for all future training. When your puppy knows their name, you can get their attention before giving any other instruction.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to teaching name recognition:
- Wait for a moment when your puppy is not looking at you
- Say their name once in a happy, upbeat tone
- When they turn to look at you, immediately mark this with a “yes!” or click and give a treat
- Repeat this process several times in short sessions throughout the day
A common mistake when teaching golden retriever puppy name recognition is saying the name repeatedly when the puppy doesn’t respond. This actually teaches them that their name is meaningless background noise! Instead, if they don’t respond, make an interesting sound to get their attention, then try again.
Try it in progressively more distracting environments to test if your puppy truly knows its name. If it consistently looks at you when you say it, even with mild distractions present, you’re on the right track!
Fun games for reinforcing name recognition include calling your puppy’s name and rewarding them for coming to you from different parts of a room, saying their name when they’re mildly distracted with a toy and rewarding eye contact.
Command #2: The Essential “Sit” Command
“Sit” is typically the first formal command most puppies learn, and for good reason! It’s relatively easy to teach, practical in countless situations, and serves as a foundation for more complex behaviors.
To teach the sit command using the lure technique:
- Hold a small treat close to your puppy’s nose
- Slowly move the treat back over their head toward their tail
- As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground
- The moment their bottom touches the floor, say “Yes!” or click, and give them the treat
- After several successful repetitions, begin saying “Sit” just before you move the treat over their head
The key to adding the verbal cue correctly is timing—say “Sit” before you start the physical prompt, not during or after. This helps your puppy associate the word with the entire action, not just part.
Some common challenges when teaching “sit” include puppies who back up instead of sitting (try teaching this with their back against a wall or sofa) or puppies who jump up to get the treat (lower your hand and move it more slowly).
The beauty of the “sit” command is that you can practice it throughout the day in real-life situations: before meals, before going outside, before getting attention or petting. This functional training helps your puppy understand that polite sitting leads to good things in everyday life.
Command #3: “Come” – The Recall Command for Safety
A reliable recall—coming when called—is arguably your Golden Retriever’s most crucial safety command. This breed’s friendly nature can lead them to want to greet everyone and everything, which makes a solid “come” command essential.
Start teaching this command indoors with minimal distractions:
- Say your puppy’s name followed by “Come!” in an enthusiastic voice
- When they move toward you, continue encouraging them verbally
- When they reach you, praise lavishly and give a high-value treat
- For added reinforcement, gently hold their collar before treating (this teaches them that being reached for is positive)
As your puppy masters indoor recalls, gradually practice in more challenging environments: different rooms, the backyard, and eventually, secure outdoor areas with more distractions.
The golden rule of recall training is that “Come” must ALWAYS be a positive experience. Never call your puppy to you for anything unpleasant (medicine, bath time, ending play). If you need them for something they might not enjoy, get them instead of calling.
Games that naturally reinforce the recall command include trading off calling the puppy between family members (each person giving treats when the puppy comes) or the “hide and seek” game, in which you call your puppy from another room.
Remember that golden retriever puppy recall training is a lifelong practice. Even adult dogs need refresher training to maintain a reliable recall, especially in high-distraction environments.
Command #4: “Stay” – Teaching Your Golden Retriever Puppy Patience
The “stay” command teaches impulse control, which doesn’t come naturally to energetic Golden Retriever puppies. Most puppies are developmentally ready to begin learning “stay” around 12-14 weeks, though you’ll start with just seconds of duration.
Here’s how to begin:
- Ask your puppy to sit
- Say “Stay” while giving a visual signal (flat palm facing them works well)
- Wait just 1-2 seconds initially
- Return to your puppy, say “Yes!” and treat them while they’re still sitting
- Release them with consistent words like “Okay” or “Free.”
The three D’s of stay training are Duration, Distance, and Distraction—and you should only increase one at a time. For example, once your puppy can stay for 5 seconds with you right there, work on increasing the time to 10 seconds before you start adding distance by taking a single step back.
The most common hand signal for staying is a flat palm signal, and it’s helpful to consistently use both the verbal command and hand signal together.
“Stay” becomes valuable in countless real-life situations: waiting while you open the door, staying in place while visitors enter, or remaining still. At the same time, you pick up something dangerous they shouldn’t approach.
Command #5: Mastering “Down” Position
The “down” position is a more submissive posture for dogs, which can make it slightly more challenging to teach than “sit,” but it’s worth the effort. A solid “down” command lets you settle your energetic puppy when needed.
To lure your Golden Retriever puppy into the down position:
- Start with your puppy in a sitting position
- Hold a treat in front of their nose, then slowly move it straight down to the floor
- Once the treat touches the floor, slowly slide it forward away from your puppy
- As they follow the treat with their nose, they should lower their body to the ground
- The moment their belly touches the floor, mark with “Yes!” or click and give the treat
Some puppies resist lying down entirely at first. If yours is one of them, reward any downward movement initially—even if it’s not a complete down—then gradually raise your criteria until they’re fully lying down.
The down position requires more trust since it’s vulnerable for dogs. For this reason, practice in calm, safe environments before trying it in more distracting or potentially threatening situations.
As with all commands, gradually transition from using a food lure to just the hand signal (the same movement, but without food) and finally to just the verbal cue “Down.”
This command is handy as a calming strategy during excitement. Teaching your puppy to settle in a down position can be incredibly helpful when visitors arrive or during other high-energy situations.
Command #6: “Leave It” – An Essential Safety Command
“Leave it” can literally be a lifesaver, preventing your curious puppy from picking up dangerous items, whether it’s medication dropped on the floor, chicken bones on your walk, or other hazards.
Here’s a two-step training process for a solid “leave it” response:
- First phase: Place a treat in your closed fist, say “Leave it,” and wait. Your puppy will likely sniff, paw, or mouth your hand. The moment they stop trying and pull away, mark with “Yes!” and give them a DIFFERENT treat from your other hand (never the original item)
- Second phase: Place a treat on the floor covered by your hand and say, “Leave it.” Gradually uncover the treat while still protecting it, and reward it with a different treat for ignoring the one on the floor
The key principle of “leave it” training is that the puppy never gets the forbidden item—they always get something different as a reward. This teaches them that ignoring the first item leads to something better.
Start with easy temptations (regular treats) before progressing to more enticing items (cheese, chicken). Eventually, you’ll practice with non-food items too.
On walks, use “leave it” before your puppy reaches something they shouldn’t have—prevention is always easier than trying to get something out of their mouth.
It’s important to understand the difference between “leave it” and “drop it”: “Leave it” means “don’t touch that item,” while “drop it” means “release what’s already in your mouth.”
Command #7: “Drop It” or “Give”
Given the Golden Retriever’s natural retrieving instinct, “drop it” or “give” becomes especially important. This breed loves to carry things in their mouths, making a release command essential.
Trading games are the most positive way to teach voluntary releasing of items:
- When your puppy has a toy in their mouth, offer something of equal or higher value
- Say “Drop it” or “Give” in a cheerful tone
- When they release the first item to take the offered item, praise enthusiastically
- After a few seconds, offer to trade back for the original item
One mistake to avoid is chasing your puppy when it has something it shouldn’t. This inadvertently creates a fun “keep-away” game that reinforces the exact opposite of what you want. Instead, if your puppy grabs something inappropriate, remain calm and offer a trade.
Start practicing with regular toys before moving to higher-value or “forbidden” items. Remember that trading up—offering something better than what they currently have—increases your chances of success.
If your puppy refuses to drop something, avoid grabbing it or forcing their mouth open, which can cause resource guarding. Instead, try offering something even more valuable or distracting them momentarily with an interesting sound before offering the trade.
Command #8: “Wait” – The Doorway and Threshold Command
While “stay” asks your puppy to remain in position until released, “wait” is more flexible—it simply means “pause until I tell you to proceed.” This distinction makes “wait” perfect for doorways, thresholds, and other momentary pauses.
Teaching door manners for safety:
- As you approach a door with your puppy, say “Wait” and pause
- If they remain in place, even briefly, mark them with “Yes!” and proceed forward
- If they surge ahead, close the door gently and try again
- Gradually increase the duration of the wait
The “wait” command is handy at feeding time. Have your puppy wait while you prepare their food and place it on the floor. Release them to eat only when you say so. This builds incredible impulse control.
Similarly, using “wait” before getting out of the car prevents dangerous door-dashing into traffic or parking lots. Simply crack the car door, say “Wait,” and only allow your puppy to exit when you give the release cue.
Consistent use of “wait” at thresholds prevents the development of door-dashing behavior, where dogs bolt through openings. This keeps your puppy safe and makes your life much less stressful.
Command #9: Loose Leash Walking Basics
Walking politely on a leash doesn’t come naturally to most dogs, especially enthusiastic Golden Retrievers who want to greet everything and everyone. Setting realistic expectations is important—puppies lack the focus and self-control of adult dogs, so perfect heel walking shouldn’t be your goal initially.
Instead, focus on preventing pulling behavior early with these simple techniques:
- When your puppy pulls, stop moving completely
- Wait until they release tension on the leash (even slightly)
- Mark this moment with “Yes!” and proceed forward
- Repeat consistently to teach that pulling achieves the opposite of what they want
The “stop and wait” method works because it teaches puppies that pulling stops forward progress, while a loose leash allows the walk to continue. The walk itself becomes the reward.
Reward attention and good position frequently during walks. Mark and treat any time your puppy checks in with you or walks in a good position. This teaches them that connecting with you on walks is rewarding.
Gradually build duration and deal with distractions incrementally. Don’t expect your 12-week-old puppy to walk perfectly past a playground full of screaming children. Choose environments that set your puppy up for success, then slowly introduce more challenging situations.
Command #10: “Touch” or “Target” Command
The “touch” or “target” command teaches your puppy to touch their nose to your hand on cue. While it seems like a cute trick, it’s an incredibly versatile foundation skill.
Teaching your puppy to touch your hand with their nose:
- Present your flat hand, palm facing your puppy, a few inches from their nose
- Most puppies will naturally investigate by sniffing or touching their nose to your hand
- The moment their nose makes contact, mark with “Yes!” or click and treat
- Once they’re reliably touching your presented hand, add the verbal cue “Touch” right before presenting your hand
- Practice in different positions—hand high, low, to the sides
Fun games using the touch command include having your puppy follow your hand through simple obstacle courses around furniture or teaching it to close cabinet doors with its nose.
One of the most valuable uses of the touch command is redirecting focus during distractions. If your puppy is fixating on something (another dog, a cyclist), asking for a “touch” can break their focus and reconnect them with you.
The touch command becomes the foundation for more advanced tricks like spinning, weaving between your legs, or even turning on light switches. It’s a surprisingly helpful skill disguised as a simple game!
Creating an Effective Training Schedule for Your Golden Retriever Puppy
A sample daily training schedule for a 10-week-old puppy might look like this:
- Morning: Name recognition (1 minute), Sit practice before breakfast (1 minute)
- Mid-morning: Touch game (2 minutes). Come practice indoors (2 minutes)
- Afternoon: Leash practice in the yard (3 minutes), Sit-stay practice (1 minute)
- Evening: Leave it practice (2 minutes), Down practice before dinner (1 minute)
- Before bed: Recall game with family members (3 minutes)
The beauty of training a Golden Retriever puppy is that you can incorporate learning into regular activities. For example, practice “sit” before meals, “wait” at doorways, and “leave it” while preparing food. This functional training helps your puppy understand that commands are part of everyday life, not just special training sessions.
Watch for signs of mental fatigue during training sessions. When they’re mentally tired, puppies might start to lose focus, get distracted easily, or even lie down. Just like human children, puppies need breaks to process their learning.
Tracking progress with each command can motivate you and your puppy. A simple chart on the refrigerator where you mark off small achievements (like the first time your puppy sits without a food lure) can help you see how far you’ve come, even on days when training feels challenging.
As your puppy approaches 4-6 months of age and has a solid grasp of these basic commands, you can begin to move from basic to intermediate training. This might include longer durations of stay, more distance on recall, or combining commands (like “sit” then “down”). Golden retrievers thrive on mental stimulation, so advancing their training as they grow keeps them engaged and happy.
Remember that golden retriever puppy training schedules should remain flexible. Some days, your puppy will be more focused than others, and that’s completely normal. The key is consistency over time, not perfection in every session.
Conclusion
These 10 easy commands for Golden Retriever puppies provide the foundation for a lifetime of good behavior and communication between you and your furry friend. From the basic “sit” to the more advanced “leave it,” each command creates a well-mannered, safe, and happy dog.
Remember that patience and consistency are far more important than quick results. Your Golden Retriever puppy is learning a new language, which takes time. Some days, it will feel like two steps forward and one back—perfectly normal in the training journey.
Beyond just behavior, these training sessions build the human-dog bond that makes Golden Retrievers such beloved companions. The time you invest now will pay dividends in your relationship for years.
Celebrate those small victories along the way! The first perfect “sit” is when your puppy comes running when called at the park or when they wait patiently at the door instead of bolting outside—these achievements are worth acknowledging.