Mary Allen
#7 Dominance behavior of dogs
When you go for a walk, your dog will be the first through the door and bark at you to hurry up. Here, too, consistent training is required. It doesn't go any faster when he barks and they go through the door first. Have your dog sit outside the door and wait for them to go through first. You have to consistently send him away from the door if he wants to squeeze through.
In general, however, Golden Retrievers are considered less aggressive and more peaceful family dogs. But Golden Retrievers also have their own peculiarities and different personalities. That's why you shouldn't put the training on the back burner if you experience aggressive behavior.
Things you need to be aware of
Below are some things to keep in mind when your golden retriever barks at you. It's an analysis of barking, so to speak, but it shouldn't be underestimated.
#8 How the barking started
If your dog hasn't always barked at you, think about what happened the first time. Was there an event? What happened just before that? Or has there been a change in your household?
Things that may have triggered the first bark:
Your Golden Retriever was injured (by an accident or attack by another dog)
They moved
Someone has moved out
Other changes in your household (a new partner, another pet, a baby?)
Someone has been aggressive toward your dog
When does your dog bark?
Watch carefully when your golden retriever barks at you. If he always barks at the same time, such as when it's time to eat or usually when it's time for a walk, he may just want to remind you.
The way he barks
Pay attention to the tone of voice and body language when he barks. Especially if he barks aggressively at you and bares his teeth, this is a sign that you shouldn't approach him. But it is also a sign for you to turn to a professional dog behavior trainer. Because aggressive behavior can quickly lead to more, namely bites.
#9 How to get your Golden Retriever to stop barking at you
Here are some ways you can do to stop your Golden Retriever from constantly barking at you.
Positive reinforcement training
The first thing you can do is do positive reinforcement training. Here you reward your golden retriever for his behavior, namely when he is calm. And you avoid paying any attention to him when he is barking. No verbal attention either. Time the exact moment he stops barking, then immediately reward him with treats.
If he starts barking again, punish him immediately with disregard. Repeat this until he understands.
Avoid negative reinforcement
As mentioned above, you may have accidentally trained your dog to bark. Don't give him toys or food when he barks at you. This can be a test of patience, especially at the beginning. But be aware: if you give in and let the bad habits take over again, the training starts all over again.
Get help from a professional dog trainer
If your golden retriever just won't stop barking or barks aggressively, get professional help. Many owners take this as an admission that they can't handle the dog themselves. This is utter nonsense. Remember that a few weeks with a dog trainer can improve your relationship with your dog for a lifetime.