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Golden Retrievers have been the classic family dog for years and rank as one of the top five breeds in America. These smart, loyal, friendly dogs make great companions. Not only do they have a gentle and fun-loving nature that makes them ideal for families with kids, they are also capable and intelligent working dogs.
Golden Retrievers are not at all aggressive. They can be great with other pets if given a proper introduction, but their lack of aggression doesn’t make them great as guard dogs.
Dog Training Elite Central Nashville has years of experience with both Golden Retriever training and Golden Retriever puppy training. Dog Training Elite Central Nashville puppy training, obedience and therapy animal training programs are well-suited for Golden Retrievers.
Because of their eager-to-please nature and intelligence, Golden Retriever puppies are relatively easy to train. Dog Training Elite Central Nashville will help owners develop a strong bond with their new Golden Retriever puppy and harness all the wonderful qualities of the breed.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Central Nashville location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Training a Golden Retriever Puppy
Dog Training Elite Central Nashville recommends starting dog training as early as possible. Puppies are capable of learning basic commands. Smart Golden Retriever puppies do great with early training.
Complete Golden Retriever puppy training typically takes a few months. Dog Training Elite Central Nashville offers specialized in-home training. Working with a Golden Retriever puppy and the owner directly in the home prevents puppies from being distracted and allows dog trainers to create personalized training plans for individual puppies, as well as address any unique needs or issues. Once a puppy has completed in-home training, Dog Training Elite Central Nashville offers puppy group classes for further training.
Beginning Golden Retriever training in the home also helps owners bond with their pup so when the dog trainer leaves, no progress is lost. It’s important for owners to stay consistent with puppy training and continue it long term.
Training can be great mental stimulation, so a great exercise for Golden Retrievers as they get older is progressing their training. Once your puppy has mastered sitting, for example, train them to maintain the position until released. Once your puppy is a bit older, explore other sports and activities.
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
Golden Retriever Specific Tips Exercise
Golden Retrievers are considered “sporting dogs” and require at least an hour of daily exercise. True to their name, Golden Retrievers love retrieving things! Golden Retrievers can even participate in obedience and agility events, and they’ll enjoy every minute of it.
A Golden Retriever puppy that doesn’t get enough exercise is likely to develop bad behaviors like digging or chewing. During the first two years of a Golden Retriever’s life, however, make sure to take it easy with exercise as their growth plates are still forming - don’t go for long, strenuous runs or hikes until the dog is fully grown and try to always opt for grass instead of concrete.
Golden Retriever Specific Tips Weight Management
Golden Retrievers can easily become overweight so owners will need to help manage their food intake. Measure out food twice a day instead of “free-feeding” and give treats in moderation.
Golden Retriever Specific Tips Make it a Family Affair
If you have adopted a Golden Retriever puppy to become part of a family, make sure all kids and adults are on the same page with training and all practice basic tricks with the family dog.
Dog Training Elite Central Nashville has developed training programs for puppies and adult dogs alike based on positive reinforcement. German Shepherd training with our in-home option is entirely possible. Read on to learn more about the Dog Training Elite Central Nashville training method.
Golden Retriever Specific Tips Be Consistent
Establish house rules for your dog, and then stick to them. If you choose not to let your dog on the couch, don’t ever let them on the couch for any reason. Golden Retriever training can help you establish routines and learn how to be consistent about enforcing them.
The Dog Training Elite
Difference
Dog Training Elite Central Nashville uses modern training methods focused on positive reinforcement and bonding between dog and dog owner. Dog Training Elite Central Nashville never resorts to the use of punishment to help dogs unlearn bad behavior. The difference becomes clear when comparing a dog that is trained out of anxiety and intimidation vs a dog who truly desires to please from the inside out.
The Dog Training Elite Central Nashville training theory is mostly based around classical conditioning, also known as the Pavlovian method or respondent conditioning. This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when an owner says "sit," their dog automatically sits without thinking about it.
Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. The electronic collar is not a shock collar; it is a gentle electronic pulse, similar to the tug of a leash, used to get the dog’s attention. Other dog trainers use harsh static collars or spray collars which have been shown to be less effective. Dog Training Elite Central Nashville’s method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature.
Ready to turn your Golden Retriever puppy into a loyal and loving companion? Find a trainer near you today!
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We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Our two Great Pyrenees mix pups were getting too difficult to train on our own. When the trainer (Reina) arrived for the assessment she knew what we needed- and we have learned so much! She loves dogs, is easy to work with, and responds quickly when there are any questions, issues, or schedule changes. Highly recommend!— Mollie Woltmann
Posted September 25th 2024
Our Dog Is Now The Star of Home Depot! We only wish we'd found you sooner! Zeppelin is our rescued & when triggered, berserk dog. He goes berserk at the sight of another dog. Pulling the leash, attack mode, very loud & ferocious. We feared for ourselves as well. He was an at-risk animal from a shelter before we even knew what at-risk means. It means: at-risk of not getting adopted & staying adopted. Sounds familiar? You're at the absolute right place to make effective changes in your dog, and in your lives. Even if your dog isn't at-risk of going back to a shelter, or you're often wishing you could give it away. Don't! Especially if you're in love with your dog + they are now a member of your family. Because after Elite's expert trainers: Now he's a behavioral star! Side note: My father was a psychotherapist & professor. I can guarantee you this review is what my father would have written about Elite and our behaviorally transformed dog! Prior to Elite's incredible trainers, Izabel & Parker, we had gone through 3 trainers & medications. Many hours with $1,000 trainers and many hours on own own + without a change from his being triggered & going berserk. We as a family always watchful & afraid. Including respectfully, the department for canine behavioral-change at University of Tennessee Knoxville. The same happened with the best private Williamson County rescue trainer, no change at all. Calming medications didn't work either. No one was a match for him. Sad! Methods that failed: Prong collar walking, walking with string cheese rewards, and group dog desensitization sessions with spray bottles. All of them gave up. There was no going outside the house for us & Zeppelin. Home Depot absolutely out of the question. Previous trainers tried, and we all left the store totally defeated. NOW! For us & for the dog himself, the behavioral reconditioning and reprogramming from Elite is easily worth many times over what we paid previous trainers! The transformation is priceless. I'm so glad that I get to see it now, daily. He now knows that we are in control of his mood & that greatly calms him down. No shock collars. No training with treats. No negative or positive vocal prompts. No forced grouping training with punishments. No water-spray bottles, no leash & prong collar jerking. No stern language or mood is needed. No punishments at all, actually. Very specific vibration collar and transmitter are provided. The best & most professional equipment & expertise using them. Very professional, simply the best. Guided group training with a muzzle is coming up. Very much like Zen, less-is-more technique. 30 minute sessions. All in your own backyard, they come to you. What could be better for so vast the change? Literally, Home Depot with a triggered rescue dog is a mammoth exercise. An impossibility after all other top trainers. He simply went berserk, forcing quick exits. He's especially triggered by much smaller dogs. We do not know why. Now, we don't have to know why. Now after only 6-8 training sessions with Elite, inside Home Depot he calmly performed Heal, Sit, and Down in the store! Unbelievable! He now has no distraction nor triggers! Another dog walked inside the aisle we're in, right behind him. He just sat there, maintaining calm eye contact with us! Elite's trainers Izabel & Parker have totally cured him. They are the wisest dog psychologists you could ever dream of working with your dog! Inside Home Depot, calmly walked him, working his commands. Then the sweetest, eldest cashier came to us "May I meet your pretty dog?" He calmly sat while she gave him a doggy bacon strip! Parking lot leaving the store, a man called out "That's a beautiful dog you have there!". Before the Elite transformation there wasn't any chance for any such compliments. Now there is & yes, now he is pretty, with even more possibilities with Elite to come! One last thing: You deserve this too. Help your dog and the enjoyments will be endless.— Bob Schmerda
Posted September 23rd 2024
Reina did great with Max! He absolutely loved his time with her ❤️— Rachel Baudendistel
Posted September 19th 2024
Reina did excellent with training my dog Ghost. Reina is very punctual and patient with Ghost.— Jessica Coleman
Posted September 17th 2024
Dog Training Elite really helped train my out of control puppy! I now have my dream dog! A dog that I am proud of!— Natalee Wells
Posted September 13th 2024
I’m happy to recommend DTE! Izabel worked with us and our teenage daughter to train her (sweet but stubborn) lab puppy, Moon. Izabel is a joy to work with— she’s an excellent teacher and trainer, and we enjoyed and benefited from every single session we had with her. I’ve also appreciated the open line of communication with DTE. They are quick to respond to my texts, always helpful, and always professional. We’re excited to do another level of training soon!— Amanda Williams
Posted August 28th 2024
I've been training with Isabelle since the spring, and both my dog and I have made tremendous progress. Previously, I tried service dog training with a different personal trainer, but the approach pushed me too far out of my comfort zone and didn't yield the results I needed. Isabelle from Dog Training Elite has helped me and my dog, Laszlo, gain confidence and work together as an effective team. The effectiveness of this training has far exceeded my past experiences. Thanks to this training, I’m now prepared to train any future dogs I may have. I’m truly grateful for Isabelle and this company!!— Anna Johnson
Posted July 29th 2024
We’ve seen big positive behavior changes in Seamus in just a little more than a month— mary mcdaniel
Posted July 11th 2024
Our 1½ year old lab has significantly calmed down. She no longer chews on anything other than her toys, and follows commands so well. Highly recommend using Dog Training Elite Central Nashville!— Katelyn Murphy
Posted June 21st 2024
We have had a great experience with the trainers! Our very stubborn puppy is making great progress with each session.— Marjana Longenecker
Posted June 19th 2024
Parker and Izabel are amazing! They have really helped our two dogs. Ruby and Raelynn are so much calmer and well behaved.— Nicole Spainhoward
Posted June 17th 2024
We have had the best experience working with Dog Training Elite- Nashville! Especially with Izabel!! She has been great with our dogs and we have learned so much! Everything on their team has been very professional and takes training seriously! We have seen such a huge improvement in our golden retrievers!— Halle Maddox
Posted June 15th 2024
I loved my time with Dog Training Elite! I really like their model where they teach my dog and I learn to reinforce it. I rarely had to feel like “the bad guy” in the process and they were always there to help when it got hard!— Tyler Kennedy
Posted June 12th 2024
What a difference a well behaved dog is to take in public areas! My dog Kash went from barking at everything and some times biting, to walking in a heel and listening to commands which I never thought was possible! His confidence is slowly growing and I’m seeing a new side to him. Thank you to Izabel who was just the best to work with! Highly recommend her and Elite Dog Training to anyone looking for a trainer for their furry kiddo— Zina Abutaleb
Posted June 5th 2024
The team at Dog Training Elite has been wonderful to work with, and they’ve very effectively trained both our dogs, including our daughter’s service dog. We are so grateful for their knowledge, expertise and professionalism and highly recommend them.— Allie Davis
Posted June 5th 2024
Parker and his team have been amazing with both our dogs. We needed help reinforcing commands with our daughters service Dog, as well as obedience training with our other Dog. He had them doing things we thought would take months within the first visit or two. Highly effective and highly recommended.— Eric Davis
Posted June 5th 2024
I was so skeptical that my 4 year old golden doodle had any chance of following commands but the team at Dog training Elite proved me wrong in the best way possible way. They are so kind and patient and just very cool people. I worked with Isabel and she was absolutely amazing. It was like have my a fun session with a friend each time. I would recommend them and Isabel confidently no matter how stubborn your fur baby may be.😊— Denise Janus
Posted May 24th 2024
Parker is AMAZING!! What you have taught me in such a short period of time is mind blowing. I truly can communicate with my dog in a way I never thought possible. Dog Training Elite Nashville is hands down the BEST!— Denise Yenchochic
Posted May 1st 2024
Izabel has been amazing! Great with me and my dog. She has been patient and has greatly improved my dog's behavior.— Elizabeth Jacobs
Posted April 8th 2024
i love elite so much!! we’ve seen so much progress in our dog and i just know he’s going to be a great service companion. we love izabel and everything she’s done for us— partygore
Posted March 30th 2024