1. Home
  2. Getting Started

Our top tips for crate training a Golden Retriever

By

Bringing home a new puppy can be one of the most joyful times in your life … until they destroy everything in sight the moment they’re left alone. From teething and growing pains to plain ol’ curiosity, there is a myriad of ways your newest addition can get into trouble. Whether you’re dealing with a particularly rambunctious pup or you’d simply like to get them started with good habits, crate training a Golden Retriever puppy can be a great option.

Goldens are known for their sweet demeanor and incredible gentleness, so they seem like perfect candidates for crate training. They’re also especially social pups, though, so will they tolerate being confined to a crate? The only way to find out is to try crate training for yourself, but we hope we can give you some idea of what to expect.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Are Golden Retrievers easy to crate train?

If you’re familiar with the image of the golden retriever as a well-tempered, friendly family dog — that’s for a good reason! Many dogs of this breed are as gentle and people-focused as you would think, but the American Kennel Club reminds prospective owners that Goldens aren’t simply born that way; it takes practice, patience, and love to raise a well-behaved adult retriever.

Recommended Videos

When you’re comparing goldens to other breeds, though, they are incredibly smart, people-motivated, and eager to please. This makes their motivation for training — including crate training — naturally high!

Is crate training good for Golden Retrievers?

No matter what breed of dog you have at home, crate training can have many benefits. Not only does it give you the ability to leave your pet alone without causing you anxiety, but it also allows your golden to have a safe space when they need some quiet time. Since crates can feel a lot like dens (the place wild canines and your pup’s ancestors call home) they can be comforting to your dog, too.

Rarely, crate training your puppy can exacerbate existing problems. Separation anxiety, in particular, may be triggered by crate time, so it’s important to address this issue before adding in a new habit, according to the Humane Society of the US. Crate training may not be a good idea for some dogs with medical issues, especially those that require frequent movement or bathroom trips.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Golden retriever crate training tips

If you do decide to try crate training your golden retriever puppy, keep a few things in mind.

Start young

It can help to start crate training when your golden is a puppy. The sooner going in their crate becomes a normal occurrence, the sooner your pup will learn to tolerate and even enjoy it. Don’t wait to give it a try!

Make it comfy

Another way to entice your young retriever to enjoy — or at least tolerate — using their new crate is by making it as comfortable as possible. If your dog has a favorite blanket, toy, or bed, this is the perfect place to keep it. Some owners even have a special toy or treat that their dog can only have while in their crate, which helps build positive associations and keeps your golden as happy as possible. If you keep this up, they’ll see their crate and think, “No big deal!”

The crate is not punishment

In order to help your puppy create a positive relationship with their crate, suggests Wag!, make sure never to use it as a form of punishment. In fact, encouraging your golden with a treat or some praise as they enter may inspire them to come back to their new spot.

Remember, the crate should be a safe place for your pup, never a place where they feel nervous or unsafe. It may help to remind family members and guests to let your dog relax unbothered when they go to their crate since they’re likely looking for some peace and quiet.

Start short

When introducing your golden retriever puppy to their new crate, make sure to start with short, frequent introductions. This will help avoid unnecessary anxiety from feeling lonely, as well as any accidents inside the crate.

As a rule of thumb, Wag! recommends that puppies stay in their crate no longer than one hour for every month of age. For example, a three-month-old golden pup shouldn’t be left alone for more than three hours.

Tire them out

When you’re ready to leave your puppy home alone in their crate for a little while, try taking them out for a jog (or at least get in some extra playtime) before you do. A tired dog is more likely to rest instead of worry, which will make the experience more peaceful for everyone.

As you practice crate time with your pup, you’ll get to know the tips and tricks that work best for you both. Perhaps a certain routine is most effective, or maybe your dog just needs some serious love and praise to motivate them. Try not to get frustrated if crate training your golden retriever puppy doesn’t go as planned right away — they’re just a puppy after all. There’s time!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
When do kittens open their eyes? This is what happens if they do it too early
Find out all you should know about kittens opening their eyes

Is there anything more adorable than a kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet? That's debatable. Although scientists have found that puppies are marginally cuter than kittens, cat people strongly disagree. Whether you're a dog person or a lifelong cat aficionado, there's something about tiny kittens that tugs at the heartstrings.

Have you ever wondered, "When do kittens open their eyes? What happens if they open their eyes too early?" You're not alone. We're here with the scoop on what veterinarians have to say about when kittens first look at the world, why you should never force a kitten to open their eyes too early, and what happens if your newborn kitten's eyes open ahead of schedule.

Read more
Off-leash dog training is easy if you follow these 5 tips
These tips will make this process smoother

We’re going out on a limb here, but it’s safe to say that if you’ve ever caught the look on a dog’s face when he’s running off leash at the dog park, you’ve caught a glimpse of what pure bliss looks like.

As a pet parent, it’s only natural to want to see that expression more often. And, without disparaging the leashed walk around the neighborhood, your dog would probably tell you he’d prefer being off leash more often. Is that possible, given local leash laws and all the mischief your untethered pet can get himself into? Perhaps, if he is well trained.

Read more
These are the 8 most loyal large dog breeds that make loving companions
Big breeds that will never leave your side

There are so many reasons why dogs are known for being man’s best friend. Our pups love us unconditionally -- even when we aren't being our best selves. No matter what's going on, your four-legged friend will be happy to see you. Bad day at the office? Does your boss think your work performance is lackluster? Your dog respectfully disagrees. They’ll wag their tail when they see you walk through the door and shower you with kisses. They’re loyal and loving until the end.
One of the best things about dogs is that they're just as diverse as people are. Small, large, energetic, lazy... there's a dog for anyone out there. Some people fall head over heels for larger dogs, like Labrador retrievers, because they make for great swimming, hiking, and running partners. Large breeds are also often great snuggle buddies — even if they feel like a ton of bricks in our laps and take up the entire bed. What’s more, some of the most loyal dog breeds are large ones.
If you're leaning toward adding a big dog to your home, consider these eight breeds when searching for a true-blue forever friend.

What are the most loyal large dog breeds?
Dogs tend to be loyal by nature. Some pets take it up a notch, though, including these large dog breeds:

Read more