The Beginner’s Guide to Training Your Golden Mountain Doodle: Proven Options for Success

Intelligent and eager to please, makes training the GMD a breeze!

Golden Mountain Doodles, just like every other breed of dog, benefit from early and consistent training. The Golden Mountain Doodle is both intelligent and highly trainable. This, plus a real desire to please their “people,” makes the Golden Mountain Doodle an ideal dog. There are many options for the conscientious dog owner who ultimately wants a well-behaved dog, both inside and outside the home. The benefits of dog training are many, and perhaps obvious: calmer dogs and owners, minimized safety risks, and more connection between you and your pet.[i] Just “how much” you train your dog is up to you. Many dog owners are happy with a pet that comes when called, sits on command, and doesn’t jump on people. Others want to train in “leave it” (for dogs who like to pick up and chew forbidden items) and other next-level commands, and then there are novelty tricks like shaking paw or playing dead. It’s important to note that even if you’re not consciously “training” your puppy, they may learn bad behaviors simply because they are not corrected. Proactively putting the effort in means you won’t have to break a bad habit later on. When choosing from among all the available options, you’ll want to consider the level of training you desire, as well as practical factors such as cost and convenience. Puppy Training Books While books may now be considered “old-school,” there are a number of resources in print and a dog owner can easily learn the basics in this manner. Check your local library, buy from used-book sites, or buy new, and a book can be one of the more economical means of training your dog. Of course, training takes some time and effort, and ideally you will want to begin the research process before bringing your puppy home. New puppy owners often unwittingly un-do their best efforts by making some basic mistakes: relying on a single training resource (which may be in error or incomplete), being inconsistent, turning to harsh punishments, and unknowingly reinforcing the wrong behavior.[ii] When relying on books, it is important to select well-researched and thorough resources, ideally written by an expert with some proven experience. Keep in mind the 5 stages of dog training: Acquisition, Consistency, Repetition, Reinforcement, and Maintenance[iii], in order to set yourself up for success with your puppy.

Here are a few recommended training books (affiliate links). Article continues below.

Online Videos

In this digital age, there is no end to the YouTube videos available to help you in your dog training process. Most likely, you will search for topics of interest and focus on areas of weakness for you and your puppy (for example, “how to crate train my puppy” or “how to keep my puppy from jumping on people”). One limitation to this method is that you may miss the natural progression of the training process and overlook essential skills and commands, focusing instead on the need of the moment.

If you’re depending on online videos, look for an experienced trainer who offers a number of videos that follow a sequence. Work on one thing at a time, targeting problem behaviors as a supplement to the basics. Two well-known and often-recommended trainers with You Tube channels and quality content include Zak George and McCann Dog Training.

Online Training

If you search online for dog training options, you’ll find quite a few. However, don’t believe everything you read on the Internet. Cost and quality of online options will vary, and there’s always the possibility of being scammed or short-changed.

In order to make an informed decision, ask your breeder for recommendations, ask friends who are dog owners, and (as always) do your due diligence before selecting an online puppy school. Look at the legitimacy of the Web site, any content that is offered for preview, and any reviews that are available. See if the trainer or class offer any sort of money-back guarantee if your expectations are not met.

Remember, not matter which option you choose, you’ll have to put in if you want to see results. Just purchasing the puppy class isn’t going to get you to the finish line in training. If you are a good starter and not a good finisher, you may do better with in-person training rather than an online option.

Local Training Options

There are likely some local dog trainers in your area where you can attend weekly (or more frequent) sessions. A good place to start is your local pet store, such as PetSmart or Petco. Of course, the quality, cost, and time investment will vary, and it always benefits you to do your research if you choose this option.

One advantage of in-person training is that the owner will be going through the process with their puppy, and a trainer will often be able to note and correct improper techniques in real-time, for a more successful training process. A puppy owner will follow a natural progression in training and regular sessions can offer the consistency needed for success.

Board & Train[iv]

Board and Train programs are likely the most intensive (and most expensive) option for dog training. Often called “doggy boot camps,” this is a good choice for the person who does not know much about dog training or who has failed to make progress with their consistent efforts.

Because of the time commitment, level of intensity, and cost, owners may look to Board and Train when an older dog has incorrigible behaviors or poses a safety risk. Alternatively, it can be a good way for a dog owner to have an expert put in the initial training effort when they do not have the time to do so consistently themselves.

It is important to note that a Board and Train program does not relieve the dog owner of responsibility. They should be learning alongside their dog, and should receive and follow through with instructions on how to continue training at home so that the initial gains from a Board and Train program will not be quickly lost. They will need to help their dogs generalize the specific commands learned so that good behavior will be evidenced in new and different situations and locations.

Because a dog stays at the Board and Train facility (usually for weeks), and will be learning from a dedicated trainer, it is important to make sure that you have looked into the credentials of those working at the facility, confirmed the quality of care, and ideally checked reviews from previous customers before choosing this option.

When it comes to training, no matter what you choose, your Golden Mountain Doodle will be a better companion pet, will be more secure and less anxious, and will exhibit fewer problematic behaviors if you start a consistent training regimen as early as possible.

Recommended training aids (affiliate links):

[i] https://highlandcanine.com/six-major-benefits-of-dog-training/

[ii] https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-dog-training-mistakes-4030442

[iii] https://dogsbestlife.com/home-page/the-5-stages-of-successful-dog-training/

[iv] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/are-board-and-train-programs-a-solution-to-your-training-problems/