An image of a happy golden retriever - contact Dog Training Elite for your golden retriever training in Tampa, FL.

Professional Training For

Golden Retrievers

Dog Training Elite in Tampa

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Request Free Assessment

Our Golden Retriever Training Could Help:
Separation anxiety
Excessive barking
Overexcitement
Destructive chewing
Jumping on people
Pulling on the leash
Uncontrolled digging

Golden Retriever Training in Tampa, FL

At Dog Training Elite, we have extensive experience in Golden Retriever training in Tampa, FL, both as puppies and adults. This breed's eagerness to please and high intelligence make them relatively easy to train, whether the goal is basic obedience, therapy work, or specialized tasks. Our training programs are tailored to maximize the breed's natural abilities and ensure effective, lasting results.

By working with our team at Dog Training Elite in Tampa, owners can develop a strong bond with their Golden Retriever, guiding them through each stage of their development. We focus on harnessing your dog's inherent qualities, helping you raise a well-behaved, reliable, and loving companion.

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A well-trained golden retriever with their owner - our Tampa golden retriever puppy training can help your pup be a loving family companion.

Why Golden Retrievers Make Ideal Family Dogs


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Golden Retrievers have long been a favorite choice for families, consistently ranking as one of the top five breeds in America. Their intelligence, loyalty, and friendly disposition make them exceptional companions, especially in households with children. These dogs are gentle, fun-loving, and excel in various roles due to their strong work ethic and adaptability.

Despite their many strengths, Golden Retrievers are not naturally aggressive, which means they may not be the best choice as guard dogs. However, their calm and sociable nature makes them a perfect fit for families looking for a loving and dependable companion.

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Katelynn Chase
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Wonderful to work with! Helped us get our big boy certified as a therapy dog!
  • Denise Bocker
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Tonya and Zach have been great. They are so easy to work with and have been amazing with my puppy. Oakley has come so far at only 6.5 months old.
  • Laura Keller
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Amp is a success story! She started off scared of everything, we couldn’t even walk her past the neighbors house, and now she is a certified therapy dog! Tonya is amazing!! 10/10 would recommend!!
  • Red Hatter
    Sep. 10, 2025
    Tanya was great! Patient and so knowledgeable and was a great help in training my wild twin puppies. Now almost 6 months old. Always great suggestions and brought me small tools that assisted greatly in the training.
  • Lanette Strong
    Sep. 8, 2025
    When my son was diagnosed with diabetes in February, I did some research on training a dog to becoming service Dog and found DTE. Tonya came and assessed our two year-old goldendoodle and we discovered she was the perfect candidate to be a service dog. The tools she gave us helped build the foundation and with our at-home work, she took off running and loves to work! Tonya really knows her stuff! She took my mostly well-behaved goldendoodle and shaped her into the most vital member of our family. Now our girl is very consistent with her alerts and we are forever thankful to Tonya and DTE. 10/10 forever recommend!!!
  • ashley simpson
    Sep. 5, 2025
    Tonya and Zach taught me how to get my aggressively biting, barking, out of control chihuahua into a sweet friendly obedient boy! And soooo fast! He can come to work, go in public, have visitors in the house, and I don’t have to worry about people being in danger. I can even get him to stop barking with his pack at the door or fence! I didn’t think this was at all possible and am so very grateful for their patience and knowledge! Strongly recommend!
  • Nicole DiBlasi
    Aug. 13, 2025
    My 1 year old Lagotto Romagnolo pup just completed his three-week obedience and service dog training camp. When he was about 4 months, I had met with Dog Training Elite, amongst many other training facilities in order to do my due diligence and make sure it was the right fit. My biggest mistake in having my dog trained was not immediately signing up with Dog Training Elite after their first meeting with me! Luckily, I circled back with them a few months later to set up training, and it was the best investment I have made in my pup! Team: The team is absolutely wonderful, and I can tell they really value and care about my goals with my pup. They are not only there to train him, but to help him build his confidence in and out of public settings. Something that stood out to me about DTE is that having met with several other facilities, the DTE team treated my pup the way I like him to be treated. Some facilities told me that the cutesy talk with your dog is wrong, and cuddling and playing with the dog too much will make him think the owner is soft and not in control. At DTE, they were SO loving with my pup, and even have one of their employees as a "Chief Enrichment Officer" to play with the pups throughout the school day. I LOVED this about the team, and this is a lot of the reason I believe my pup would always wag his tail when we would pull up to training at the facility :) Oh, not to mention, they bought him toys during some of their public access days. Training: My dog is completely different after 3 weeks, and I mean that in the best way possible. One of my hesitations and worries in having my dog service dog trained was that he would be trined so well, that he would not act like the happy-go-lucky dog he is, and instead always be "on" and working and stoic. Not the case at all! He is just super obedient and respectful of boundaries, and when it is time to heel, and sit and place, he knows exactly what to do. He has more respect for me as his owner, and this training has actually STRENGTHENED our relationship, and so I could not be more grateful. After just 3 weeks of training, we walked around Home Depot together for about 25 minutes with him being off-leash. I would never have thought he would be doing that this soon after training! Facility: I was 90% sure after DTE came to my house for a consultation for the first time that I would want to sign up with them. I asked for a tour of their facility, and literally, I took a few steps inside, and knew that 90% would now be 100%. The first thing I noticed was the silence (no craziness of tons of dogs barking, which was common at other facilities). Next, there were about 6 dogs in the front room, all separated and back-tied on a leash to the wall and on their beds. They all looked at me like perfect little obedient students, and were not distracted by me or my dog at all. Everything is very clean and organized, and it is just a very bright and open facility. I felt very good about having my pup there for training. Cost: Worth every penny. I highly recommend the Dog Training Elite Suncoast team if you are thinking about getting your pup trained!
  • Christopher Glanzer
    Aug. 12, 2025
    We started working with Tonya at Dog Training Elite (Platinum Package) right from day one when we brought home our Doodle puppy named Theodore. Training a puppy (especially with 2 kids in the house) is not an easy task. Tonya was there every step of the way, reassuring and guiding us. She was always available if we had questions or concerns. At the beginning there were times when we felt overwhelmed and frustrated by the puppy energy and behaviors but with Tonya's guidance we stayed consistent and trusted in her process. After the first few puppy sessions we started to see a transformation unfold. Fast forward to today, at 6 months old Theo is a great canine companion. He is happy, obedient, engaged, well mannered. When we go for walks people often comment on how well behaved he is, and are even more surprised when I say he is only 6 months old! There are still some areas that need work, but overall we have seen a big change and are astonished at how far he has come under her close guidance. We continue to work with Tonya to build on the strong foundation. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite as soon as possible to start the journey with your dog!
  • Jean Sheridan
    Aug. 8, 2025
    Our dog Toby has come so far in his training with Tonya in just 5 short weeks. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!!
  • Kara Hosking
    Aug. 2, 2025
    Tonya and team are simply the best!! She gave me confidence to train our Dalmatian puppy into becoming a young controlled highly active dog. I have no fear with Elite team as my trainer. We love so much and are becoming platinum members. Home training for the family and group classes are the perfect combination!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ her training also helped Hampton be amazing with our cats!!!
  • Steve Harris
    Jul. 30, 2025
    Very impressed with Dog Training Elite… they sent Aaron to work with me and my 7 month old Doberman puppy. The strides Prince has made in his obedience is incredible… he quickly was able to pick up skills like recall, down, heel, place to name a few. We start group classes this weekend to continue his growth but I would highly recommend their services if you’re serious about advanced dog training.
  • Mohammad Harake
    Jun. 12, 2025
    Tonya and her Team at Dog Training Elite has been fantastic in her service task tracing with my dog. At first I was a little hesitant just because it’s a big investment into the unknown, but quickly realized how I could not have asked for a better trainer, I think very reasonably priced and helped me bond with my dog even stronger and be a better handler/servucs dog duo/team. Thank you!
  • Alisha Rand
    Jun. 11, 2025
    Aaron and Kim worked closely with my boxer puppy, Rocky. They helped me teach him important skills so that Rocky is obedient. I have seen amazing results through following their program, in home sessions, and group sessions. They are very firm and consistent and train you so that you can support your dog daily. Rocky learned the sit, down, and place commands within his first few months of training. I am most grateful for their support with teaching Rocky to heel, especially off leash. Rocky walks next to me consistently, even when off leash, when given the command. They are very skilled and knowledgeable about dog training and behavior. I am grateful to have chosen them to support me with his training!
  • Lana Heinen
    Jun. 11, 2025
    Changed our life!!!! Daisy is finally becoming the dog she was meant to be because of the amazing training and support we received from Tonya!
  • Brandi
    May. 13, 2025
    The owner Tonya and her crew are awesome! They are knowledgeable, patient, and fun to work with. Our Doberman (Ronin) loves working with them. Further, we are constantly improving along with Ronin. We strongly endorse Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa.
  • Olivia Meitzner
    May. 10, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa has completely exceeded my expectations! The one-on-one training sessions are outstanding-personalized, effective, and tailored to both you and your dog’s needs. I saw progress quickly, and the trainers are not only incredibly knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in your success. The group training classes are equally amazing. They provide a great opportunity for socialization and reinforcing skills in a more distracting environment, which really helps solidify the training. What truly sets them apart, though, is their ongoing support. Even outside of scheduled sessions, the team is always willing to answer questions and offer guidance. It’s clear that they care about you and your dog’s journey every step of the way. I have a very loving but very stubborn Corgi who I am now so so proud of thanks to this team! Highly recommend to anyone looking for lasting results and a team that truly stands behind their work!
  • Bhavna Kumar
    May. 4, 2025
    Highly recommend Elite Dog Training! They worked wonders with my dog. Teaching obedience skills, they were patient knowledgeable and compassionate - their approach is truly effective. My dog is now well-behaved and happy service dog. Thanks to their expertise. Five stars isn't enough - I'd give them ten stars if I could!
  • David David
    Mar. 29, 2025
    When i brought home my first Doberman I was working all the time and didn’t really do the training required to unlock all the potential of this breed. Jetta was a great family dog but this time I wanted to do things different. I contacted Dog Training Elite, talked to Tonya and purchased the Puppy Platinum Package. I knew if i was going to start using an E Collar I wanted it done professionally. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive about using the E Collar and it really takes some getting used to. I started training Kara as early as possible and Tonya ensured me that it would make our bond stronger and it did. Kara is a calm, confident girl and she goes everywhere with me and I mean everywhere. She knows when the collar comes out she is in for some off leash fun by the lake, beach, or going for a hike in the woods. We do a 5k and she is by my side (on leash). When we go to restaurants she is by my side. She is currently enrolled in Agility classes and the obedience classes made starting agility so much easier. With the Platinum Package i have unlimited training in the park every other Saturday and i always try to make it. We always learn something new, reinforce the basics, and I get to spend Saturday mornings with some really nice people.
  • Arthur Bochner
    Mar. 21, 2025
    Great team of dog trainers. Incorporate video illustrations to enhance training regiments. Very conscientious and good teachers. They have helped our precious little Dali become a better and more confident dog.
  • lucienne richard
    Mar. 17, 2025
    I needed help with my toy poodle he was always barking and trying to bite people. Now he loves people. Couldn't take him anywhere .now he loves to go to the park and every time we go to a class. We're always learning more if I have any questions.They always answer my question .I'm so glad I found them.I can't say enough about them. They are great.
A well-trained golden retriever posing for a picture.

Tampa Golden Retriever Puppy Training

Training a Golden Retriever Puppy

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At Dog Training Elite in Tampa, we recommend starting dog training as early as possible. Puppies are capable of learning basic commands, and smart Golden Retriever puppies do great with early training.

Complete Tampa Golden Retriever Puppy Training typically takes a few months. We offer 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, we offer 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 be 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.

Additional Breeds We Train

Dog Training Elite in Tampa - German Shepherd Training in Tampa. DTE

German Shepherd

Dog Training Elite in Tampa - Labrador Dog Training in Tampa, FL. DTE

Labrador

Dog Training Elite in Tampa - Goldendoodle Training in Tampa, FL. Dog Training Elite

Goldendoodle

Dog Training Elite in Tampa - Beagle Dog Training in Tampa, FL. DTE

Beagle

Dog Training Elite in Tampa - Pitbull Training in Tampa, FL. DTE

Pitbull

Dog Training Elite in Tampa - Doberman Training in Tampa, FL. DTE

Doberman

Dog Training Elite in Tampa - Border Collie Training in Tampa, FL. DTE

Border Collie

Dog Training Elite in Tampa - French Bulldog Training in Tampa, FL. DTE

French Bulldog

Golden Retriever Training Tips

Golden Retrievers are quick learners with a strong desire to work alongside their owners. Their intelligence and willingness to follow commands make them ideal for various types of training, from basic obedience to more advanced skills.

Here are some essential training tips for Golden Retrievers.

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 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.

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.

At Dog Training Elite, we have developed training programs for puppies and adult dogs alike based on proven techniques. German Shepherd training with our in-home option is entirely possible.

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.
A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite in Tampa.
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An happy, well manered golden retriever with training from Dog Training Elite in Tampa.

The Dog Training Elite Difference

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At Dog Training Elite in Tampa, we use modern training methods focused on balance and bonding between dog and dog owner. We never resort 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 training theory for every dog breed 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. Our method 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!